Observing the Observers

Since I'm new to this, I spend some time getting to know the people
around me at the viewing sites I visit. I've noticed a class of
people I worry about.

First, I have a GoTo scope. I like the challenge of finding objects
on my own though so I find them on the star charts, use Goto go get me
to my starting point (always a bright star I know where it is), and
then use the TelRad and Finder to navigate my way there. I'm always
careful to align my scope because I want to be able to view at high
powers with little twiddling of the controls.

I've noticed a class of GoTo scope owners who have obviously been
observing for awhile and just as obviously have no clue at all what
they are looking at. For example, last night a person near me with a
very nice GPS Meade model was telling his son that he should come look
at M3. I took a quick glance because I was thinking of M3 next and
found that his telescope was nowhere near M3. It also turned out he
was looking at a galaxy. In talking to the guy (he was a nice guy and
actually very interesting), I learned that he really just wants to go
out an look at things but doesn't really care what they are.

Now, this is fine, but you shouldn't be telling people they are
looking at one thing when they are really looking at something else.
Another person with this same type of telescope is constantly pointing
out the wrong area of the sky when a visitor asks to point to what
they are looking at. Most of the time, he points out objects 30+
degrees from where the scope is pointing.

Don't get me wrong, I have absolutely nothing against somebody who
just wants to go out and look at things and doesn't really care where,
or even what, they are. I just cringe when they guide others.

I've found that there is always somebody around that knows exactly
where any given object is. My knowledge of the deep sky is very
limited still (heck, I had to find Vega (and Draco and Deneb and
Hercules) for the first time last night just to navigate my way to M13
and M92. After I got there though, I could have pointed right to them
if anybody had asked.

Just thoughts and not intended to ruffle any feathers.