{"id":28958,"date":"2022-02-10T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-10T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=28958"},"modified":"2022-03-23T13:15:27","modified_gmt":"2022-03-23T13:15:27","slug":"boost-your-observing-and-imaging-productivity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/2022\/02\/10\/boost-your-observing-and-imaging-productivity\/","title":{"rendered":"Boost your observing and imaging productivity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By adapting the famous Drake equation, Ron Brecher <\/strong>shows us how we can spend more time enjoying the beauty of the night sky<\/p>\n\n

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When it all comes together, amateurs can witness the immense beauty of the night sky through the eyepiece or with a camera. IC 405 (upper right), IC 410 (lower left) and part of IC 417 (upper left) fill this view of Auriga, the Charioteer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

The Drake Equation came about in 1961, when Dr Frank Drake formulated it to estimate the number of active and communicative civilisations that might be present in the Milky Way. The formula takes a probabilistic approach, multiplying different factors, such as the number of stars born every year, the fraction of stars that have planets, the length of time that a civilisation might survive, and so on. Drake\u2019s original motivation for crafting his famous equation was not to estimate the number of civilisations, but rather to frame the discussion during the first scientific meeting on the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, or SETI. The SETI Institute provides lots more information about the Drake Equation at www.seti.org\/drake-equation-index<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

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Frank Drake, here at Cornell University in 2017, is a pioneer of SETI \u2013 the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence INSET: The Drake equation estimates the number of civilisations with which humans could communicate \u2013 value N. It framed the discussion at the first meeting about SETI in 1961<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

One feature of the Drake equation is that it can be adapted to address other big questions of great importance to readers of this magazine, such as \u2018How productive am I likely to be as an imager or observer of the night sky?\u2019 The answer to this simple question is surprisingly complicated. In fact, I\u2019ve identified six factors that can affect an astronomer\u2019s productivity, which will all be discussed in this article. As you\u2019ll see, some are well within your control, while others are just a fact of life (your life), but their impacts on backyard astronomy can nevertheless be minimised. <\/p>\n\n

The Make-or-Break equation<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

To begin to answer that question, \u2018How productive am I likely to be as an imager or observer of the night sky?\u2019, let\u2019s look at the \u2018Make-or-Break equation\u2019, adapted from the Drake equation. We can use this to estimate the number of productive nights per year for an amateur astronomer, denoted by N:<\/p>\n\n

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Let\u2019s look at understanding how these factors can influence productivity estimates and identify ways to mitigate factors that reduce productivity. I\u2019ll discuss both imaging and visual observing, as I enjoy both.<\/p>\n\n

Managing the weather<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
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Dress for a much colder temperature than it is, with a hat and gloves, and warm socks and boots. Also add a hot drink and some heating pads. An extra sock (lower left) over your finderscope can keep dew off<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

The number of nights in a year (represented by the Y value of 365.25 nights) is an example of one factor that is beyond your control. Similarly, the Moon is up and interferes with deep-sky observing and imaging about half the time (f m <\/sub>= 0.5), between first and last quarter, like it or not. Of course, visual observers, and planetary and lunar imagers are less bothered by moonlight \u2013 they may even relish it \u2013 so their f m <\/sub>value is higher, perhaps 0.8. Imagers with narrowband filters can still image in moonlight, so a narrowband approach can increase overall productivity.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

You only need to practise astronomy for a short time to conclude that you can\u2019t control the weather, and that is true: manipulating local cloud cover (f c <\/sub>) is, of course, still beyond our grasp. However, other aspects of the weather \u2013 like intense cold, stifling heat and humidity \u2013 can be mitigated.<\/p>\n\n

Visual observers and portable imagers are more affected by weather than those who use permanent setups, whether local or remote. The best way to increase the value of f bt <\/sub>is to dress for the weather. On clear nights, our bodies radiate heat away into <\/span>space, so dress for a temperature that is about 10\u201315\u00b0C cooler than the thermometer says it is. Warm socks, boots, gloves and a hat will keep your extremities warm. On the coldest nights (about \u201328\u00b0C for me) I use disposable chemical heater packs in gloves and boots, and an extra heater in my pocket to defrost the eyepiece. It\u2019s also a good idea to have somewhere warm for battery-powered accessories like a flashlight or a laser pointer. Lastly, an insulated mug containing a piping-hot drink can help extend your observing or imaging session.<\/p>\n\n

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The author\u2019s Doghouse Observatory makes all-night imaging comfortable, even in the depths of winter. The walls also provide a wind break for the telescope, for steadier views <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

At the other extreme, summer nights can be warm and humid, and with them can come a plague of biting insects. I wear lightweight long-sleeved clothes and trousers, and spray my clothes with bug repellant, avoiding getting any on my hands or around my eyes \u2013I have heard that they can damage optical coatings. If there\u2019s no breeze, a small fan can help keep you cool, too.<\/p>\n\n

Wind is an important determining factor \u2013 not only for comfort, but also productivity, particularly when it comes to imaging. So how can we increase the value of f bw <\/sub>? <\/p>\n\n

The more solidly mounted your telescope, the less you\u2019ll be affected by wind. An observing tent can help to mitigate the impact of any breezes on portable visual or photographic observing. Even better is a permanent setup with walls to block the wind; I\u2019ve never had to interrupt an imaging session from my Doghouse Observatory because of wind.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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The opportunities for remote observing and imaging are often more numerous. This image of the Silver Dollar Galaxy, NGC 253, was captured from a remote observatory in Australia and processed by the author<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Astrophotographers who purchase time or host their equipment at a remote observatory can achieve the highest values for f c <\/sub>. After all, it\u2019s always clear somewhere. Commercial remote observatories are situated under some of the best skies in both hemispheres, including the southern United States, Chile, Spain and Australia. They\u2019re still affected by moonlight, of course, but you don\u2019t need to worry about temperature, wind or biting insects.<\/p>\n\n

Planning pays off<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Many of us come to astronomy in middle age or later. By this time in our lives, we usually have a lot of responsibilities, whether family, work or both. It can be hard to make time for astronomy. And it\u2019s not just acquiring imaging data that takes time, we also need time for other things, like planning an observing session, or processing raw data to make stunning photos. How can we maximise productivity for that little bit of free time (f fr <\/sub>) when the stars align in a clear, moonless sky?<\/p>\n\n

Portable gear needs to be set up and taken down for every imaging session. This process usually involves waiting until you can see enough stars to polar align, troubleshooting equipment issues along the way and then having to take down the gear when clouds roll in, only to start over again the next clear night. Anything you can do to increase the amount of imaging vs setting up time is helpful here. Practise getting efficient and accurate at setting up your equipment so that you\u2019re ready to go at dusk. If you can safely leave all or part of your portable rig fully set up to use over multiple nights, that will reduce the set up and take down time. It will also make imaging or observing much more productive, assuming the weather cooperates. If you are using permanent setups for imaging or observing, these take almost no time to get up and running, provided conditions are good, and all the equipment is working.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

When it comes to portability, the best solution for visual observers is a pair of binoculars. These require virtually no set up time and can hugely increase the number of evenings you can spend at least a few moments stargazing. Sometimes a few minutes of binocular therapy between broken clouds can help tide you over until the next clear, moonless night.<\/p>\n\n

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With cameras, filter wheels, focusers and a mount to control, it\u2019s important to ensure that drivers and software \u2013 and the computer they\u2019re installed on \u2013 are up to date and working reliably, and that equipment is set up properly. Try and make any checks before a session <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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Even if you have top of the range equipment, a pair of binoculars can increase the productivity of your visual observing<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
Hardware, software and drivers<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Keeping the value of f e <\/sub>n ear a value of 1 means that when conditions are right, your gear will work properly. The key to success is to do as much setting up, maintenance and testing as possible outside of prime imaging or observing time.<\/p>\n\n

For visual observers, this means becoming efficient at setting up and taking down equipment. With a little practice, tasks like collimation or aligning your finder can be performed quickly, before it\u2019s dark enough for serious viewing. If you use a computerised, or Go-To, mount for observing, learn how it works during the day and practise using it on mediocre nights. That will make those prime sessions more rewarding, because you won\u2019t be fiddling with any kit.<\/p>\n\n

Compared to visual observing setups, imaging setups contain a lot more components that have the potential to reduce the value of f e<\/sub> . While I use an electronics-free 10- or 20-inch Dobsonian-mounted reflector \u2013 along with a red flashlight and a map \u2013 for most of my visual observing, my imaging rig is much more complicated. It includes a heavy-duty mount carrying two telescopes, each with a cooled camera, an electronic filter wheel and an electronic focuser. There\u2019s also a guide camera, a couple of dew heaters and a PC to control all the imaging equipment. Problems with the operation of any piece of equipment, such as its ability to connect to the computer (via its driver) or a software problem, can all end a night of imaging. And little things like cables hanging off your scope can cause big problems. Balance can change as the mount tracks, or worse, a cable can snag and cause damage to equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Astrophotographers can practise the same good habits mentioned above for visual observers. Permanent setups should have their polar alignment checked periodically (mine changes slightly when the ground freezes or thaws). In addition, it is important to keep software and equipment drivers up to date. <\/span>Note, however, that it is never necessary to do this right before a prime night of imaging, or during an expected stretch of good weather. Instead, do it when the forecast is poor if you can. I regularly back up my PC so I can easily switch back to a setup that worked, if needed. An advantage of imaging remotely is that there\u2019s little you need to do to keep the value of f <\/span>e <\/sub>close to 1, as the observatory host is expected to keep all the equipment running smoothly.<\/p>\n\n

If you use a computer for astronomy, you have probably experienced an unexpected shutdown. Operating system (OS) updates that automatically reboot the computer will stop an imaging run in its tracks. Fortunately, this is often easily solved by disabling automatic updates. If you can\u2019t disable these, you may be able to specify that they only occur during the day, when you aren\u2019t imaging. Applications (apps, programs) can crash, too. Again, testing during non-prime time will expose any problems, giving you a chance to fix them before your next session.<\/p>\n\n

Visual observers usually don\u2019t need to worry about unplanned shutdowns due to electronics. But they can have other unplanned issues, such as dew on the optics. A dew shield and\/or electric dew heaters are a must in dew-prone locations. I keep a sock over my red-dot finder to stop the front glass fogging up; without it, I can\u2019t find my visual targets.<\/p>\n\n

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The Moon brightens the sky about half the time, making deep-sky objects harder to see. Embracing the Moon as a photographic or visual target can boost the number of nights you enjoy astronomy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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In this table the author has applied the variables of the Make-or-Break equation to give examples of how many productive nights of astronomy per year might be achieved with different setups<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
Productivity estimates<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

When you throw all of the factors discussed above into a pot and assign values for different scenarios, it\u2019s possible to estimate productivity, in nights per year. I\u2019ve tabulated estimates for my own observing situations (see, table, above); your results may vary.<\/p>\n\n

Eyepiece observers can expect four or five good viewing sessions a month, if they\u2019re not too bothered about moonlight. For astro imagers, there are big differences depending on your setup. Remote imaging can be done on any relatively Moon-free night, or about 148 nights per year. But, if like me, you enjoy hands-on time with your own equipment then a local permanent or portable setup may be a better, if less productive, choice. My productivity increased about threefold when I transitioned from a portable setup to a home observatory for imaging. I also observe with a portable setup, and sometimes access southern skies via remote observatories; truly the best of all worlds.<\/p>\n\n

Enjoy the view<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Viewed through the lens of the Make-or-Break equation, the obstacles amateur astronomers must surmount come into sharp focus. Fortunately, there are practical ways to adapt to our own unique circumstances and interests to maximise productivity. As in most things, success usually boils down to being well-prepared when opportunities present themselves and being able to recognise problems and implement solutions quickly. For me, the beauty of the sky, through the eyepiece and through the camera, makes it all worthwhile. To paraphrase the singer Miley Cyrus, astronomy\u2019s a climb, but the view is great. Enjoy the view as often as you can!<\/p>\n\n

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<\/p>\n\n

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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Ron Brecher observes deep-sky objects from his driveway in Ontario, Canada, while simultaneously imaging from his observatory. See astrodoc.ca<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Photos: RON BRECHER X 3, NGC 253 RAW DATA COURTESY OF BRETT SOAMES,RON BRECHER X 2, M-GUCCI\/ISTOCK\/GETTY IMAGES, WILL GATER<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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