Advantages/disadvantages of being alone or with another observer? My observing is 99.99% of the time alone because I don't know anyone really interested in observing  and going to star parties, well, I just get tired of waiting in line to get a peek of whatever I'm probably not interested in looking at anyways (O.K., I am a bit of an introvert). Peace, relaxation and serenity - those are my advantages of observing alone, besides, I can express my successes and failures here on the forum. And if I do something stupid, no one will ever know. Mr Q

 I observe alone, it's easier on me because I don't have to accommodate anyone else's wishes. I used to take the family with me and that was fine , family time was cool and fun. Then friends began to come along and impromptu star parties began with only my binoculars (Pentax 12 x 50) to view through and that became a pain ( I have become increasingly selfish about viewing time in my old age). So I stopped telling people where or when I was going and so now I go it alone. I have viewed recently with another like minded person and am finding it a buzz to be able to talk about the night sky without having to explain my obsession or the other question I hate "how do you know that it is that far away -prove it"

Yea i will agree on you for observing alone. That means you can look at whatever you want, whenever you want without like the other person getting bored. I have no problem accomidating to other people, but when it comes to observing its just fun to relax by yourself with a scope and some tunes. Sure i like to talk to people about astronomy, but its just nice to hang out during the day and then looking forward to staying out all night on a warm summer evening.

Hey! , As long as everyone has their own scope to look through , the companionship is all good ! Just don't push me away from my ocular!   

I used to observe alone 99.9% of the time.  What makes this a great avocation is that being alone in the dark with Universe is a great time to relax and let the enormity of the heavens remind one of the utter inconsequential nature of the day to day troubles of life.

In the last couple of years my Father comes out to observe the things he likes to look at, the Moon and planets. I don't mind this as we are both advancing in age, he will be 80 this month, and the time we spend together at the eyepiece has become precious. 

I have enjoyed star parties in the past but that to me is a different type of observing session.  Being in a group has its rewards in companionship but the experience of going at one's own pace and just contemplating what one is looking at is reduced.

L

 Leo731 - Enjoy every minuet of your Dad's company! I was lucky to let my mother observe a projection image of a partial solar eclipse a year before she passed on. She thought it was the most amazing thing she had ever seen - one of the few times I shared my observing with someone else. Otherwise, I'm a loner when it comes to observing. Mr Q

 I observe solo, no distractions. Just me, the telescope, a cup of coffee and the night sky.

 

 

i also observe alone most of the time.  mostly because i don't know anyone that shares my level of interest.

i don't mind showing off some of the universes best objects when sombody shows some interest, but i usually go out with an agenda of my own that usually includes faint, difficult to observe objects that can quickly turn newbies off. or, if i'm into a photography session, visitors are usually very bothersome.

i do my best to encourage people though. especially the kids.  i love the look in their eyes when they see saturn or M42 or something for the first time.

 

I think my preference is to observe alone.  I've gone out twice with a co-worker, with the result that he has purchased his own scope.  I suspect that I will observe with him occasionally after he gets his scope.  Having said that, it stressed me out to have him waiting while I tried to find an object, though he was good about amusing himself wth my binoculars.  All in all, I'd prefer to go it alone.  I cannot wait until the weather warms up a little so I can spend a bit more time at the eyepiece.  The cold drives me in after two or three hours.   I surely regret having waited 52 years to take up this hobby, though.  Each time I go out, I am positively stupified by the beauty of creation. 

I've had my neighbors over a couple of times and shown them the planets, the moon, and a few of the brighter DSOs, but generally it is just me and my ever faithful observing companion, Jessie, a year-old Golden Retriever.  She doesn't talk much and expects no time at the eyepiece, so her presence is very welcome.  There is the occasional sky-quake as she curls up at the base of my tripod, or dob mount.  She claims it's an accident, but I think it's a bid for attention.

I observe alone about half of the time, but I think I'm growing to like being by myself.  I chose what to look at and look as long as I like.  I love talking about it with friends and family later though.  I get excited about seeing different things, but I don't think they really care

 I observe alone most times too, especially when I'm imaging. But then, if I'm imaging, then I'm not actually observing am I? Anyway, I try not to be so selfish about sharing the night skies. When I can, I take my scope out and share the views with others. Recently I've been contemplating doing some sidewalk astronomy. There are a few places in town I can set up and show passers-by the brighter objects. The local park would be a great place for viewing, but the only trouble is... no one ever goes there. I would actually have to set up on the sidewalk, beneath the street lights.

Hey wait a minute... the moon is almost full. I should be up there now!

 

 

Hello, new to astronomy.  I enjoy observing alone.  It's so peaceful and relaxing the last thing I want to worry about is whether my company is bored.  It's also my quiet time.  Don't get me wrong if I knew someone with my interest I might enjoy the company but for now the solitude is nice.

4 out of 5 times I'm alone because I choose to be alone. Gives me the time to search for faint stuff and relax. Those nights when I have guest observers, I try to do some education. Astronomy in my chosen home country Thailand is just as rare as Traditional Thai Dance in Europe. But, there is astronomers out here, a rare species, though.

 Borg Queen and ngc2438 - I agree with both of you. Most of the time, I think stargazing is one of those "alone" activities that's rewarding on a personal level, although it can also be rewarding by sharing the activity with others, especially when they are learning something and you are the teacher. As the thread replies show, it does seem to be "lone" activity most of the time with diversions of others interested in the sky. Mr Q

I also enjoy being alone, on occasion I will pry my daughter off of the playstation and show her what I have found. Other than that, it's my time. The wife goes to bed before I can even start looking. I have noticed that my sunset is a half hour later than most everybody else, due to the fact I live in the most northern part of the USA. One thing I dont like is all the neighbors barking dogs, it's almost a non stop thing. I like the post of MaxKas, I think I will give some tunes a try. Once a loner, always a loner..

I observe alone for the most part. Occasionally, I will show my sons some planets or clusters. I just enjoy the peace and quiet. I have had my scope for about 2 months and have only used it in my backyard. One day, I will pack it up and take it to the country away from city lights. This too will probably be alone time. Most people I know don't have the patience to hang out for several hours looking at planets and DSOs. They enjoy the planets like Saturn and Jupiter for about 5 minutes and then they are done. I think we are a unique breed.

 DonDon - Maybe you could try playing a recording of a bigfoot/yeti howl or some other very large animal once and a while. It will either shut them up or make things worse. If the owners start hearing such sounds, maybe they will bring their dogs in at night!

 Stargzr - Yes, we are a special breed when it comes to enjoying the night sky and being alone often makes the experience all that more pleasurable. I know it does for me.

  Mr Q
 

Good one, by golly if you know where I can get me a copy of a Bigfoot scream, hook me up, lol. I noticed when the coyotes howl, the dogs go nuts, so I don't know, but I'd try it. I have a 7.1 surround sound with over 1,100watts, that might wake the wife though,

The majority of the time I am alone. My wife will come out and take a look every now and then. Although she is starting to get used to using the dob and it's getting harder to get her away from it. This could be a good thing for me though, I figure if she takes more of interest I can get more stuff easier. I have a friend who comes alonf sometimes but since I have a few scopes I just let him use one on his own. But nothing beats the peace and quiet of being out alone and yes I talk to myself