Astronomy Hacks

Sweep Constellations

Stay focused on one or two constellations and bag everything they have to offer while you’re in there.

Inexperienced observers often work one list exclusively during a session. For example, a beginner may decide to devote an observing session to bagging as many Messier Objects as possible. The problem with working that way is that you’re all over the sky, working many different objects in many different constellations.

Experienced observers, in contrast, often “sweep” constellations, which is to say they devote an entire observing session—or several sessions—to locating DSOs, multiple stars, and other objects in just one or two constellations. The advantage of working this way is that you become intimately familiar with the constellation, if only temporarily, and you are able to locate and observe more objects in less time.

The trick to constellation sweeping is to know which objects to look for in each constellation. The best way to do that is to develop your own customized list for each constellation, incorporating objects from whichever other lists you happen to be working on. As you develop your consolidated list, keep in mind your level of experience, your equipment, and your observing conditions. Many of the “advanced” lists, for example, contain objects that are difficult to find and may be invisible except with a large telescope from a very dark site.

A beginning observer might develop a consolidated list by constellation that includes ...