Marmot Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 I would be interested on the views and experiences of other people as to what they have found to be the best technique for visual observing: obviously one eye is used with the eyepiece but what do you do with the other..........keep it open, try and close it, wear a patch to cover it etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabs Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 (edited) Hi Marmot, my experience and my technique is use one eye while the other is closed that is when I am observing. I will not suggest to wear a patch. however you might find that you can use a planetary camera so you can see what is on your eyepiece on the laptop screen , for example it’s quite good for observing the moon. What telescope do you have? I hope my respond would help you. gabs Edited May 3, 2021 by gabs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmot Posted May 3, 2021 Author Share Posted May 3, 2021 Thanks Gabs. i am using a Skywatcher ST 120 refractor. purely visual observing sounds very simple, but I do find that after a relatively short time I need a break from trying to keep one eye closed whilst looking with the other. So I just thought that by asking others, I may find that I was missing something obvious. thanks again for your reply martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Padraic M Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 @Marmot I find the most comfortable approach is to keep both eyes open - if the second eye is distracting I cover with with my hand. I don't find it easy to close one eye while looking through the other and straining my neck to see the sky!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightspore Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 I think the secret is to not try so hard. If you're desperately trying to keep one eye closed it's all you will think about. After a while I found that allowing my left eye to remain closed while I observed with my right eye was not a problem and it felt natural. I usually use reflex sights with my scopes and often use both eyes open to find the area/target I want in the sky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightspore Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Or go this route ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmot Posted May 3, 2021 Author Share Posted May 3, 2021 Thanks to both of you. i find it most comfortable with both eyes open as I am not very good at shutting the eye I am not using. I wasn’t sure if I was losing anything by keeping both open, but I see that Padraic does the same. i will keep experimenting and see what comes naturally. I suppose there is just no right or wrong answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabs Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, Marmot said: Thanks to both of you. i find it most comfortable with both eyes open as I am not very good at shutting the eye I am not using. I wasn’t sure if I was losing anything by keeping both open, but I see that Padraic does the same. i will keep experimenting and see what comes naturally. I suppose there is just no right or wrong answer. I don’t think there is a specific method or technique. You should use the way that suits and is more comfortable for you. I use mainly my right eye when I am observing and I need to wear contact lenses. With the glasses I have more problem. The most important thing is you enjoy what you doing in every way you want. gabs Edited May 3, 2021 by gabs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightspore Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 4 hours ago, Marmot said: Thanks to both of you. i find it most comfortable with both eyes open as I am not very good at shutting the eye I am not using. I wasn’t sure if I was losing anything by keeping both open, but I see that Padraic does the same. i will keep experimenting and see what comes naturally. I suppose there is just no right or wrong answer. Yeah, gabs is right, you have to find what's best for you. I often have both eyes open and don't realise when I'm observing. Closing the left eye without much effort while keeping the right eye open has become instinctive though. In a way it reminds me of learning barre chords on a guitar. It took me a couple of years to do it properly. A couple more for it to feel natural, and several years after for me to realise it was about technique and not plain strength. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 When I rarely do visual with my Dob I always have both eyes open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkAR Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 Well if you struggle closing one eye and it's a distraction with it open then the only solution is to go bino. 😁 If the Mrs says "you're not spending any more money" then explain to her that within a year she would become married to Popeye.🤣 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabs Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 She may prefer Bluto rather than Popeye especially if her name is Olive! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon Brush Posted May 20, 2021 Share Posted May 20, 2021 I can easily keep one eye closed for long periods using a scope. I have done this for years, but I think it was difficult at first. Probably it is a case of doing it for short periods and changing eyes. Sorry I can't remember any more about how it became easier. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurieo Posted October 29, 2022 Share Posted October 29, 2022 I do archery and found it actually helps relax to keep both eyes open... it takes a bit of practise but you soon learn to ignore the "other" eye's image. It makes it much more comfortable That's just my opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlit Posted November 7, 2022 Share Posted November 7, 2022 (edited) When I put my left eye to the EP I just close my right eye, but after a short while I prefer to cup my right hand around my right eye and keep it open. I'm easily distracted if my right eye sees e.g. a tripod leg or the white accessory tray. Throwing a piece of black cloth over my head and the EP to create a dark enclosed soace works surprisingly well too! I've been meaning to shop for black velvet fabric and cut it to the right size, but a black t-shirt is also fine. Btw @Laurieo I'm (was) an archer too, and when I was active I also always kept both eyes open. Edited November 7, 2022 by Moonlit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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