My favorite objects to observer are globular clusters and planetary nebulae. Emission nebulae and galaxies are cool, also...especially the larger and brighter ones that show interior detail. Dark nebulae are okay. But don't get me started on open clusters!

I believe open clusters are often just made up by someone who wants an object named after them (like "Joe's Cluster). Most of them are just a few stars, and unless you know what the field looks like, you can't even tell which stars are part of the cluster and which ones are just background. These are not clusters, they're fortunate coincidences!

Currently, I'm working on the Herschel list. Along the way, I'm compiling my own list: the Astrosetz Catalog of Open Clusters That Don't Suck. So far, I've got a half-dozen entries. If you'd like me to consider a certain object for inclusion in the list, please email me.

This is my observing table. It's nice and large, so I have room for all of the things necessary for dusk-to-dawn sessions of logging faint fuzzies. Note the digital voice recorder and ample supply of Mountain Dew. I create my observing plans and eyepiece field charts using Skytools software.