2. Aided Observations
Task: Use binoculars/telescope/robotic telescope to produce detailed drawings and/or photographs of at least 3 Messier/NGC objects
Split into: Design, Observation, Analysis and Evaluation
Think about what you’d like to do/find out with your observations
e.g. look at stars in different stages of their lives, look at different galaxy types, compare 3 spiral galaxies

3. Design - Planning an observing session
What do you need to think about before using a telescope to observe?
Factors to consider:
Choosing the objects - size, magnitude, filter
Visibility - are the objects visible in your session?
The Moon – is the Moon bright/dark during your session?
Exposure Times – how long should I observe the objects for?

4. Filters
Filters allow only certain colours or wavelengths of light through to telescope camera
On NSO you can choose a variety of filters
For colour imaging you need Red, Green and Blue images (RVB or RGB)

5. Exposure Times
You can check how images appear with different exposure times by looking at the data archive (but be careful to consider Moon phase and atmospheric conditions)
9s Saturn
0.03s Saturn
6s Mars
3s Sirius

6. Observations Make sure you document the observing conditions
Need to be processed by either LT image or SalsaJ
If you took 3 images – need to make a colour image

7. Analysis Comment on what you can see in the images
Label objects in your image
If you’ve chosen for e.g. 3 galaxies, how do they differ (edge-on, face-on, different galaxy types etc)
How did the object form/how is it changing over time
Calculate size of objects with some simple maths

8. Evaluation Quality of your images
What affected your images – atmospheric conditions, weather, exposure times, filters, telescope, Moon phase etc
What would you improve/do differently if you had another session available?
Can check observing conditions on NSO website in data archive

9. Are the objects near the
Moon during my session?

11. Background Reading
Go to NSO > How to observe with the LT > what filters to use…..
Go to Activities (top right) > GCSE Astronomy > B11
Read through handouts
Go to ‘Go observing’ – work through how you’d plan an observation