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From location to observing plan
Plan your observing night
Choose your location, observing window and a few realistic targets before preparing your equipment.
From location to observing programme
Planning essentials
Choose your location, a useful time window and a few realistic targets before setting up your equipment.
Location and time
Check access, clear viewing directions and nearby light sources. Sky positions depend on location, date and time. Use ephemerides and weather forecasts for your actual observing site.
Weather and Moon
Check cloud cover, wind, humidity and condensation risk. Include moonrise and moonset in your programme. A short, steady window can be more useful than a long evening interrupted by clouds.
Targets and equipment
Choose a main target and an easier alternative. Match apparent size, brightness and altitude to your instrument. Allow time for setup and framing.
Power and preparation
Charge devices, check storage and bring the necessary cables. Use a stable support and a safe observing location. Back up your images after the session.
Planning tools
Use a sky chart set to your location and a recent weather forecast. Observing basics explain conditions; celestial events help you choose special occasions.
Special celestial events
What is coming up next?
Annular solar eclipse
6 February 202717:00 CET
- Time
- Rounded global maximum: 16:00 UT.
- Location
- Not visible from Germany. Check the visibility map for the affected regions.
- Planning
- Check your destination and its local contact times.
October Draconids
Night of 8–9 October 2026- Maximum
- Predicted: 9 October, about 03:00 CEST (01:00 UT).
- Observing
- Include the evening hours: the radiant is higher then at many central European locations.
- Equipment
- Unaided eyes or a wide-field camera.
A weak shower with an uncertain rate. A dark sky helps; a spectacular outburst is not promised.
Two planets meet in the sky
Date pending ephemeris verification- Display
- Both planets, closest approach and angular separation.
- Where?
- Visible regions and your observing window.
- At your site
- Direction, altitude and angular distance from the Sun.
The next specific date will be added after checking the ephemerides. Conjunctions with the Sun and Moon–planet encounters are labelled separately.
Penumbral lunar eclipse
Night of 20–21 February 2027- Start
- 20 February, about 22:12 CET.
- Maximum
- 21 February, about 00:13 CET.
- End
- 21 February, about 02:13 CET.
The Moon is observable from central Europe with a clear view. The shading is much subtler than during a partial or total lunar eclipse.
Geminids
Nights around 14 December 2026- Maximum
- Predicted: 14 December, about 15:00 CET (14:00 UT).
- Observing
- Use the adjacent nights: the predicted maximum falls in daytime here.
- Preparation
- Warm clothing, an open view and a dark site.
The published ZHR is an idealised comparison rate, not a guaranteed number of meteors at your location.
Moon, planets and occultations
Organised by time and location- Moon
- Phases, encounters with planets and stellar occultations.
- Planets
- Oppositions and greatest elongations.
- Comets
- Only with current position and brightness forecasts.
Rare phenomena receive their own card. Local start and end times are particularly important for occultations.
Deep-Sky-Aufnahmen sinnvoll planen.
Wähle Ausrüstung, Ziel und Bedingungen. Foto-Gorilla berechnet daraus einen praxisnahen Startpunkt für Einzelbelichtung, Filterwahl, FITS-Anzahl und Gesamtintegration.
Aufnahme-Setup
Ziel & Himmel
Dein Aufnahmeplan
Wie viele Einzelbilder brauche ich?
Die Werte sind praxisnahe Startempfehlungen. Sensor, Gain/ISO, Guiding, Filterbandbreite, Transparenz und Bearbeitung können die optimale Einstellung verschieben.