2022-01-01

This was my first year with star gazing! I began researching tips for beginners and one of the most repeated pieces of advice was to keep a journal of my observations; so that is what I'm setting out to do! There are only a handful of viewing sessions late in December 2021 that I did not record, and most of those sessions were related to me figuring out how to work the telescope and find targets.

Goals

• Learn how to use my telescope and understand the German Equatorial Mount
• Complete the Messier Catalog in 2022
• Complete the Astro League Double Star list in 2022 (I added this goal in early May)
• Learn how to journal my observations and at least make crude sketches of what I see

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Upgrades

• April 14th: SV135 zoom lens (21mm - 7mm)
• April 20th: Upgrade to a Crayford focuser. (The holes for the old plastic focuser did not align as expected and were about 1.5mm off. I had to drill new holes in the tube and plug the old holes with small plastic caps)
• April 23rd: SV182 finder-scope
• May 12th: 3x Barlow
• May 16th: First Light EXOS Nano mount and tripod

Highlights

• Figuring out how to work the GEM mount setting circles, then realizing that star-hopping is far more enjoyable.
• Seeing M44 for the first time. This was the moment I got "hooked".
• Figuring out averted vision and realizing how important it is.
• Assembling a star atlas; the free "Deep Sky Hunter" printed on 11x17 and put into two 11x17 binders with sleeves (one for the northern hemisphere, one for the southern hemisphere)
• Splitting a star for the first time. After attempting δ Boötis, I decided to add the Astro League double star list to the goals for this year
• Finding a good viewing location under the southern radio tower on Terry Peak.
• Seeing the strip of the Milky Way from a darker location
• Getting a week of really dark skies at Erik's Ranch

This year was a blast, but I'm beginning to think that 210 targets in a single year is a bit much. I think next year I'm going to attempt 70 Caldwell targets plus a few choice selections. I also want to slow down and start working on better sketches of what I observe.