When do you do it?

[Andrew*]

I've been wondering for a while when astronomers usually go out. I'm often surprised to see images or observing reports of very late night targets.

As I have to get up at 7am 7 days a week, I usually try to get out as early as possible in the evening so I can be finished by say 1am and get a good night's sleep.

So purely out of curiosity, when do you do it and why?

[adamsp123]

Andrew I do all the above, clear night = set up imaging and nap between Meridian Flips and Battery Change overs. I try and time MFs and BCs to coincide. Do the flats, pack up and go to work.

[brianb]

Best skies between midnight & dawn - the showers have squeezed themselves out during the evening, even when they persist into the small hours they're usually less of a problem later in the night. Less interference from neighbours lights too.

But if you waste clear sky - at any time of night, and irrespective of moon phase - you have no right to complain about the cloud cover.

[Beulah]

I usually do two sessions; an earlier one for the kids every clear night and after midnight to 1:30am for my own observations.

[Andrew*]

I've added another option

[GazOC]

Depends on what shift I'm on but I prefer starting late and going into the early hours.

[RobH]

On a clear night, I'll be out firing everything up about an hour before it gets dark. I check my alignment and calibrate the guider during twilight, then I'm in for the long haul, and will often stay out until the skies start to lighten again.

Rob

[Whippy]

But if you waste clear sky - at any time of night, and irrespective of moon phase - you have no right to complain about the cloud cover.

[Dimitris]

It looks as if you guys (and ladies of course) have much more time than we do here in Greece. A similar referendum had:

Every day

Once a week

Once a month

Every now and then

as possible answers.

I had answered "Every now and then" there, and I have the same answer here also. Alas! So many other things to do and so little time to do them!

[yeti monster]

I'll get out whenever the stars come out. And if the sun dares to show its face, I'll point a scope at that too, before getting the bike out, of course!

[johnkirkpatrick]

I get out as soon as the sky gets dark and set up an hour before to allow for cooling etc...

I have to get up at 6am mon-fri but usually gaze between 8pm till midnight, now lighter nights coming i dont know when i'll get out

[lepus]

I set the scope up at six and go out at seven and finish up at about ten due to frustration with the EQ mount and work commitments

[Talitha]

My vote was for 'any time / all night', but i always set things up before dark. Then (depending on the temperature) i can either stay at the scope or go inside till my target rolls into view.

Btw, i've read a few times that imagers can set things up and have the equipment kick into gear hours and hours later while they're asleep. If anyone knows where i can get a timer like that for my eyeballs, shoot me a PM please.

[swashy]

I do it whenever the opportunity allows, which isnt very often, I have to be up at 6.00am monday to friday, so late night imaging/observing sessions are out of the window until friday and saturday night, when its usually cloudy, but given a clear sky at weekends I will be set up and ready for sunset and up till sunrise if I can keep awake, usually though I turn in to kip about 4.00am unles I'm waiting for something in particular

I'm not the most alert dad at the under 11 football matches on saturday mornings following a clear sky!

[Andrew*]

Wow - I'm very impressed by the poll results! You're far more hardcore than I imagined.

Me, I can't live off less than say 4 hours sleep a night, and I start to lose the concentration required for serious observing after a few hours. Mind I do work about 80 hours a week.....

Andrew

[Brett]

Right Now :):)

[AstroTiger]

As often as i can is the answer for me, which is not as often as i would like.

I think the best time is close to midnight when the water vapour has condensed out of the sky and the sky has had time to settle down.

Though i noticed from london over the past few weeks LP has pretty much killed the sky, its worse than it was when i was a lad living there.

On a more personal note, i tend to do my astronomy at anytime of the day using robotic methods. :-)

[LukeSkywatcher]

It all depends on my mood. I might do an hour after the sun goes down or i may pull an all nighter.

I have to say that of late i have enjoyed an hour or two just before dawn also but i cant see that being a regular thing as i am NOT a morning person by nature.

[WayBig]

Generally short sessions for me 8-10pm. I've done a few 6-7am over winter when Saturn was around at that time. In between those slots I'm sleeping.