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Observer Browser

Observer Browser is one of the equipment browsers available in Deep-Sky Planner. To learn about equipment browsers in general, please see Equipment/Log Browsers.

Browsing Pane

Observers shows a list of all observer names in the database and their (Enabled) or (Disabled) status. The list shows last name followed by first name. Select an entry to edit, delete or view its properties. Double-clicking an item opens it in the property pane for editing.

Property Pane

Enabled allows you to choose whether the observer is active or not.

First Name allows you to specify an observer's first name. This name is not required, but if it is entered, the first name + last name must be unique. The name can contain up to 30 characters.

Last Name allows you to specify an observer's last name. This name is required, and first + last name must be unique.The name can contain up to 30 characters.

Identifying Code allows you to enter a code, such as an account ID. This value is not required.

Dark Adapted Pupil Size (mm) allows you to enter the diameter of the observer's fully dark adapted pupil. This value is used to compute the dimmest object that an observer might be able to see. This value is not required.

Pupil size usually decreases with age. It is often estimated at 7 or 7.5 millimeters, but direct measurement to tenths of a millimeter is possible and gives more reliable results. A Pupil Primer by Alan MacRoberts appeared in the May 1992 issue of Sky & Telescope.

Observing Experience allows you to select a relative experience level in observing dim stars for the observer. This value is used by the visibility model for stars. The experience levels are:

▪Beginner: Very little experience observing dim stars.

▪Intermediate: Some experience observing dim stars; may use averted vision some and does not become fully dark adapted.

▪Proficient: Uses averted vision and observes when eyes are mostly dark adapted.

▪Experienced: Uses averted vision and waits for complete dark adaptation to observe.

▪Expert: The rare observer that has above average capability in observing dim stars.

If the visibility model is giving results that indicate that you cannot see a star when you actually can, increase the experience level (e.g. Intermediate -> Proficient) and run the report again.

If the visibility model is giving results that indicate that you can see a star when you actually cannot, decrease the experience level (e.g., Proficient -> Intermediate) and run the report again. You should find that changing the experience level by one step changes the magnitude of visible stars by about 0.2 magnitude, so this is a significant input to the visibility model for stars.

Notes allows you to record any comments about the observer. This value is not required.