Backyard astrophotographers: how do you choose when and what to image?

I use an IOS app called SkySafari to target search. There are a number of apps with similar capability, but I like it’s features and interface the best. While there is a “Tonight’s Best Objects” list to look through and you can go through the main catalogs (Messier, NGC, etc.), the primary way I have used it is to look at what images others are posting here on Astrobin each season - whenever I see someone post a new target that seems like something I could try, I bookmark it in SkySafari using an Observing List that it highlights all the contents of on the sky map. I’ve collected about 160 goal objects at this point, so there’s almost always something that is in a good position at any time.

Depends on a lot of things..Either way, I try and plan most with "Stellarium" + a healthy amount of weather apps (who usually all say something different about the weather)


Amount of targets: I tend to have a rolling 3-4 targets going at a any given time, instead of trying to focus on one target for a night. And those are usually targets that are up at different times in the night. One between 20:00-23:59, the other 00:00 until 04:00 for example. 

This already allows you to work on a target that fits in a window. So if you know you only have a clear window between 20-23:00, you instantly know which target you are working on and can shoot... Even if that means I only get 2-3 hours of data, it ads up in the long run. It just means that projects can take weeks.  And yes, there are projects that I've started, and haven't been able to finish because the "season" for them is over. but..... So be it.... you save your data, and ad more to it next year. Keep track of what data you have, keep track of what you still need.  It's the nature of the game I'm afraid. And I tend not to image with the mindset that I have to do 1 pic or 1 target per night.

It's a hobby of patience.

Other factors that determine how I shoot and try to maximise my projects:



Weather: obviously. If you only have a xx hour window to do something, you pick a target that's high enough above the horizon in that window and in the direction of the clear sky.

Location: Depending on how and where you live, you might be limited to your view. For example. My main view is from "north west to south", meaning anything "east" isn't going to work. Also, I can't shoot straight up. I shoot from a balcony that is partly covered. So. again.. this limits my targets and when I can shoot them.

Moon: like you said, the full moon is a b*tch sometimes. It always seems to come out when you want to collect OIII data. So I either do it when the moon hasn't risen yet, is far away from the target. Or I just focus on Ha or SII instead on those nights..
It also means that, on moon-less nights, I might ONLY be shooting OIII data on 1-2 different targets that night. Yes that's not going to create a final image, but I'd rather have the OIII data in the bank already. 

Getting a head start: I sometimes plan in a target quite early in the "season". For example, a few months ago a certain Nebula was already in view for me from about 03:30-4 in the morning.. so when I could image I'd often plan the last hour from 03:30-04:30 on that target to get a head start on the project.. By the time I actually focus on that nebula, I already had 5-6 hours on the project.

Gear: I run 2 rigs. Thinking about a third rig (eventually). Obviously this helps immensely with your issue. It allows me to turn a 3 hour imaging window into 6 hours worth of data. So that's the biggest game changer. And either use both rigs on 1 target, or 2 different targets.



As for the Meridian, it shouldn't be a dealbreaker, even if it can be a bit annoying. So.. sorry to say: deal with it. Or focus on another target until your original target has passed the meridian.


Another thing; getting into planetary / solar / lunar imaging.
for most the nebula and galaxy images are the main goal, same for me. But.. I have done a bit of solar imaging and planetary imaging for a bit of fun. You simply don't need the hours of clear skies for it, meaning it's an enjoyable way to do at least a part of the hobby when the weather is a bit "meh".. even a gap in the clouds can then be enough to at least have some astrophotography fun.

I have a tool that I call Astro Mosaic Telescope Planner. It has some remote telescopes listed but it can show your own telescope at any location by configuring it through the Url. I have a few catalogs (NGC, IC, ...) in the tool that you can filter for example by visibility (how high they are on the sky) and distance from the moon

My tool is here: https://ruuth.xyz/AstroMosaic.html
For more you can check the info page: https://ruuth.xyz/AstroMosaicInfo.html
Configuration details are here: https://ruuth.xyz/AstroMosaicConfigurationInfo.html

Jarmo

Hi, I raised a similar question here a while ago: https://www.astrobin.com/forum/c/astrophotography/other/planning-process-and-planning-software/

Based on the advice I got currently I'm mainly using Telescopius in combination with Stellarium. I had a look at Astroplanner but so far couldn't see a reason to justify the cost for the licensed version.

I choose my targets based on 
- examples here at astrobin  by people who are using the same focal lengths as me.
-  Astrophotography Sky Atlas by Charles Bracken
- 50 Best Astrophotography Targets for Beginners by Allan Hall

My process looks like this:
- I compiled a prioritized list of targets from the 3 sources quoted above
- I check via telescopius which of my targets is at the sky at the time I'm able to photograph - and if the moon is out how it relates to the position of the moon.
- For the remaining candidates I then check in Stellarium for the detailed position and distance of the moon and create some screenshots that will help me find the subject manually in case there's a problem with the platesolving algorithm. 
- For my session I always prepare at least one target in another area of the sky in case some unexpected clouds roll in and prevent me from capturing my initial target.

Best regards
Wolfgang

Every one of the many valuable planning considerations, plus many more that haven’t been mentioned, are covered by Astroplanner. My personal Astroplanner database grew from importing a few target lists (from in the app itself), then refined by my equipment and location(s). I add to it regularly when I see something in the forums that looks likes they might be a good target. When I add that target (via the catalogs in the app itself) I can immediately see whether this is going to be a good target for me or not. I can immediately see what time of year, specifically what day is going be the best day to photograph it. I can sort all my targets by transit date with a mouse-click so even though there might be a half dozen targets that are good tonight there might be another one I haven’t even thought of but tonight is the best night of the year to capture it. You can’t make decisions like that unless you have all the information, and Astroplanner gives it to you quickly and easily. When the forecast says I’m gonna have a clear night four nights from now, it only takes me seconds to see what will be my best targets, I just sort my list by “observability” that takes mini planning factors into consideration including time, location, horizon, moon, angular separation from the moon, etc. There are far too many things that app does for me to list here, planning without it almost seems random.
No it’s not free, but compared to what this hobby costs in other areas, it’s a mere pittance and if you don’t get the planning right upfront you’re going to be missing prime opportunities. I am in no way connected to the product, but an extremely happy user.

Martin Dufour:
Hi Andy, telescopius.com can help you. There is a function allowing you to select a target and see according to your region when would be the best time to capture it.

CS Martin

I use the same technique as @Martin Dufour . Probably to an OCD level even. I use Telescopius to plan targets, save targets by month(create observation lists), check off targets as I capture, make comments on what I would like to do next with the target(OSC/NB/RGB), and use it as a tool to keep track of my future to-do targets.

When there's a batch of cloudy nights(weeks even lately), I go through my lists and arrange future months with the to-do targets in that month's list of items.

Not only can you use the site to plan your observation times for your area's best horizon altitude times or months, you can browse nearby targets in that same constellation.

I also find it useful to bring up when I'm out at night and have it running at startup time when using NINA for initial framing and slewing. If an unlucky cloud bank is right over that night's target when setting up, I'll switch to the browser session with Telescopius and search for another interesting target in a different constellation that appears to not have any pesky clouds at the moment.

i have  in stellarium  my backyard added as landscape.

So  i can see where all is and  to avoid the trees and  high houses.
i have my scopes permanent, if you can do that,it will save allot of time.

just open the roof and  start imaging,instead of   setting all up,polar align etc.

And  the  most important part,when its a clear night, just go sit in the dark and get familiar how all the constallations  goes by,see where the east is ,the  south with the meridian and the west.

If you follow  those,imaging will be easyer.

Have fun !!!

from your location  your  really good in the center of all.
Late in the night  is cygnus  up,and Ophiuchus  too.
 early in the evening  orion is still there and  lot of  surrounding nebulas too.

you got allot to go..so have fun.

I am as well deciding on the basis of self prepared target list, sorted by constellation and category (narrow band y/n).

There is one additional criterion as I operate my mount manually: 
after about 11.30pm I only pick targets that already passed the meridian even if that was not my first choice. I need some hours of sleep ;-) 
Thomas

For choosing targets, I am a big fan of the following books:
"The Astrophotography Sky Atlas" by Charles Bracken
"The Astrophotography Planner" also by Charles Bracken. This book is particularly helpful as targets are listed sequentially based on when the target is optimally placed for imaging.