A Visual observing "vs" Imaging Poll. Which one are you ?

[ScubaMike]

Both for me.

25% imaging

75% visual

But that is only because I am still on the steep part of the learning curve.

I expect the imaging percentage to rise.

[nicnac]

observer here

[dazcornish]

Most definately visual only. The less leads the better.

Electronics Engineer and I hate doing anything electrical/computer related outside of work!

Agree with some posts that the skies should be better in the UK:)

Currently sailing across the Southern Pacific and the skies are superb. Makes me cry when I get back the the dusty light polluted northern hemisphere!

[Aussie Observer]

Although I do have some gear, I get more of a thrill from observing visually.

[Telescope40]

Visual for me. Love the photons hitting my retina and thining how far they have travelled. :-)

[ScottR]

I would like to do both.

[HowardHopkinson]

In the past I was a visual observer exclusively. However, now I have the equipment to do AP, I'm more inclined to image rather than visually observe.

[simmo39]

I stared as visual but since I have had on going problems with my eyes ( 2 detached retinas in both eyes now) I find that imaging lets me see the target in detail. Once my latest eye problem is sorted i may go visual for a bit just to enjoy the sights as they are but I know imaging is less of a strain.

[Gina]

Imaging.

[BeanerSA]

Wow! Good job digging up a  5 year old thread!!

[glynnlondon]

I am visual only at the moment , haven't even caught the aperture bug yet.

May dabble with a webcam in the future, not so sure of the full on AP money pit tho.

I agree they're not mutually exclusive probably most imagers have some sort of visual equipment as well

[avtaram]

Visual only for me.

Avtar

[DaveS]

99% imaging for me, as it lets me see so much more than I could with the bare eye. The other 1% is sweeping with bins while my subs are coming in.

When I upgrade the HEQ5 for imaging I'll put a 'scope on it for visual while imaging.

[Dave Smith]

When I replied to this thread in 2011 my answer was "I like both. I tend to have periods when I will only image and then periods when it is purely visual"

Now it is 99% imaging, only visual when our club has a public open night.

Even with comet Catalina I imaged it although I did also have a look with my 8x42 bins but not a telescope.

 

Dave

[LukeSkywatcher]

Not sure if i replied to this before (probably did). I'm all about the visual.

[Sp@ce_d]

yup.. think mines now moved to 98% observing clouds & the rest split between searching for a gap with the bino's & imaging clouds when the gap closes again !!

[Ouroboros]

Both for me too. For observing I prefer to use my eyes and binoculars.  Time and weather permitting I prefer to image rather than observe with my telescopes.  I'm not very keen on standing at the telescope observing.  I don't like the cold to be honest. Bit of a drawback for an astronomer that! :-) Imaging requires me to be active whilst setting everything up. Then I can get snug in my warmish room (the shed) and gather data. 

 

[jason.p]

Visual only at the moment. Little enough opportunity to do that let alone try to branch out into anything else!

[FenlandPaul]

100% visual at the moment.  One day in the future, with more tme / older kids / home observatory I might dabble in imaging, but I'm not sure I have the patience to be much good.  I sometimes think about getting an all-sky cam and setting up an automated meteor survey, but many other priorities!!

I did get some lovely images of Hale Bopp back in the late 90s.  But I used something called "film".

[gajjer]

Imaging only.

[Paul73]

Visual only. Don't have the attention span for imaging.

Paul

[DRT]

99% visual but I do occasionally stick my DLSR in the back of a frac to take snaps of the Moon. I have no inclination to do AP seriously - the thought of sitting doing all that processing gives me a headache

[AstroJOE]

Both for me too. 75/25 in favour of Imaging from my obsy but almost exclusively Visual when I get a chance to visit a dark site ?

[Martin Meredith]

I mainly observe with the aid of a camera, laptop and USB cable. I don't see it as imaging (typically a dozen objects per session, strictly live processing, no post-processing). Best of both worlds!

Martin 

[Tomjo59]

Visual only at the moment, but I want to start imaging (planetary, lunar solar only).  Planning to buy a  ZWO ASI120M-CS soon.

Don't think I will have the patience (or deep enough pockets) for deep sky imaging; maybe when I am retired in three year's time.