Do you have your first observing run coming up and wondering about what to expect? What should you bring? How should you prepare? What happens if a pack of wild javelina surrounds the telescope (a true story from your Content Manager…)?
Amanda Kepley–an NRAO postdoctoral fellow in Green Bank, WV–has written up a fantastic wiki post addressing these questions—minus the javelina—and more. If you are new to observing, or are just interested in another observer’s perspective, please give it a read.
As always with the wiki, feel free to add your own thoughts, tricks, and insights.
For the experienced observers: what do you wish you knew before your first observing run?
For those who have yet to observe: what worries, concerns, or points of confusion would you like addressed before you sit down at the telescope? Let’s hear it in the comments.
I wish I knew I had to stock up on confectionery and moisturiser. I found out I needed a big sugar boost by the end of the night and it is so dry in the desert that no matter how much water I drunk that night my hands were so dry I had trouble typing.
Yes, I would add lip balm specifically, observatories are very dry. Also, upbeat music is a huge help for that second half for the night.