Checklist for Observers

The Brief List

Make sure you are also familiar with the information on the detailed checklist.

1. Do you know how to use the instrumentation and software that you will need to use?
   
   
2. You should have accurate coordinates (RA and DEC) for the objects you wish to observe.
   
   
3. You should have finding charts for the objects you wish to observe. (You probably do not want to waste time observing and analyzing the wrong field.)
   
   
4. Select exposure times so the objects you need to record produce appropriate images. This includes program objects plus any required standards or reference objects. Bright objects must not be saturated. Faint objects need to have a high enough signal-to-noise (SNR) to produce measurements appropriate for your purposes.
   
   
5. Select appropriate detector binning for your application. (Make sure you know what binning you are using.)
   
   
6. Select appropriate filters for your application. (Make sure you know what filters you are using.)
   
   
7. Make sure you know where your data will be saved. Make sure you save your data!
   
   
8. Do not forget DARKS and FLATS.
   
   
9. Do not neglect to make appropriate entries in the observatory log.
   
   
10. Close down the observatory properly. Is everything turned off that needs to be turned off? Listen. Look.
    
    
11. Is everything locked that needs to be locked?

Do you know where your data has been saved? Do you know how to get your data?