My Interest in Astronomy is?

Sometimes some of the postings that show up on sci.astro.amateur are
enough to make a person wonder: Does this person or that person ever
actually go outside and look upward?

*You* are hereby invited to provide a brief (or not so brief) essay on
*your* astronomical interests and activities.

Here's mine:

Most often I observe deep sky objects from my back yard, usually with
a 5.1 inch or smaller telescope or binoculars. Occasionally I observe
various solar system bodies as well. Most of the time I record my
observations via the old-fashioned pencil and paper method. Observing
notes are sometimes supplemented by attempted drawings.

Observing plans include a list of a few hundred objects -- mostly deep
sky; but some double stars are also on the list. I've often neglected
the moon; but now have plans on observing that body as well. The sun
is an occasional daytime target with the aid of a white-light solar
filter.

Books remain important to my interest. I'll never know all that I
would like to know. My personal astronomy library consists of over 50
books and over a dozen star atlases.

On most clear, transparent nights I try to get out for an observing
session of either long or short duration. If I'm feeling tired I'm
more likely to forego setting up a major telescope and choose instead
to set up a smaller scope or engage in some binocular or naked eye
observing. I try to maintain flexibility in my night to night
observing plans in order to comply with how I feel and the nature of
atmospheric conditions.

I'm quite fortunate to have a dark (NELM 6.5) sky right outside my
door on moonless nights. If I had to pack up my equipment and travel
several miles to an observing site I would likely end up doing
significantly less deep sky observing.

Willie R. Meghar
.

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