In my March 2015 column, “Astronomical game plans,” I stressed the need for an organized observing program to lessen an individual’s risk of astronomical ennui. The Astronomical League’s observing programs, highlighted in the article, are a giant leap in that direction.
If you’d prefer a “small step” approach, I encourage you to look into the Las Vegas Astronomical Society’s (LVAS) “observer’s challenge.” Each month, the editors of this program highlight a noteworthy object. They encourage people to make an in-depth observation and send a brief report that includes descriptive notes and a sketch or image. Shortly after month’s end, they post the submissions on the LVAS website.
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