Matt Vartanian, RCA member and author of the Oregon Star Party's most challenging observing list will present a look at the factors that contribute to your ability to observe difficult objects.

Unique among presentations of this type, Matt has quantified in magnitudes how much each factor affects your ability to observe faint objects.

Hickson 55, a galaxy group in Draco.
A difficult visual object with some interesting structure.

He will address such topics as:

• The solar cycle and its effect on observing.
• How long to dark adapt and what indirect factors contribute to dark adaptation.
• How age affects observing and why it’s not as bad as you think.
• What optimal magnification you should use on any given object .
• The truth about carrots.
• What is the optimal altitude to observe from.

This should be an eye opening presentation for all observers from novice to seasoned veteran!

His personal web pages can be found at:  http://www.vartanian.net/astro/