Good children's observing log / guide

[mikepope]

Hi,

I've got various dk / usbourne "wow look at space" books for my son, but haven't been able to find a simple children's observing log guide for his first telescope.

I'm thinking along the lines of the 20 easiest things to go look for with a how to find it, what it should look like and a box to draw / write in.

I'm at the write it myself stage unless anyone knows of and can recommend something proper?!

Thanks,

Mike

[Billy Bluelight]

Hi Mike and welcome.  

I just gave my grandchildren a very old, small Mead 70 mm and a child's book on astronomy - not a particularly good book (can't recall even the title but it was all I had on the shelf and too basic even for kids) but in doing a simple search on Amazon UK for "Childrens' astronomy books" I came up with a massive list https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1TEUA_enGB496GB496&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=childrens%20astronomy%20books  Some look to be pretty good 

[messiermark]

Hello Mike

The Space Detective's Handbook is very good log book for kids. Available from amazon. Includes area on each object for notes and drawings, and stickers for constellations seen

[mikepope]

That sounds just what I'm looking for, a practical what to look at and "seen it" log that he can slowly fill out.

[ronin]

There is the observing programs of the astro league (US) and there are th RASC (Canaada) programs.

http://www.astroleague.org/

Look under Observe and then Programs for AL, could try the binocular ones first, but they have a fair selection.

For RASC look under Observing, not sure what the detail of Programs is.

http://www.rasc.ca/

There are no matching observing programs in the UK, it seems that neither RAS, BAA or any organisations have produced similar. Which seems to be a poor approach.

Can make up something yourself, I created simple constellation diagrams with the main things in each. Idea being to recognise a constellation then tick off the objects.

[jnb]

I'd be tempted to write it yourself, but make the writing of it a shared activity.

[AndyWB]

That sounds just what I'm looking for, a practical what to look at and "seen it" log that he can slowly fill out.

Okay, it might be a bit sacrilegious but I just ticked things off (and sometimes wrote my own notes) in Turn Left at Orion. But it's a big book for a kid, and maybe too hard depending of their age...

[Jim Steele]

I know the BBC S@N and Stargazing Live websites had a couple of good guides.

Constellations Throughout the Year
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/tv/stargazinglive/sgl_standalone_starcharts2014.pdf

The Moon
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/tv/stargazinglive/sgl_standalone_starcharts2014.pdf
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5w97cqpBrmltWFw5qt8w6nn/pete-lawrences-moon-guides

Sky at night Magazine also did a "Moore Winter Marathon" a couple of years ago. Should be still applicable for the constellations/DSOs but obriously the planets have moved since the guide was written.

Naked Eye/Bins
Guide -> http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/tv/skyatnight/moore-winter-marathon-guide-1-25.pdf
Form -> http://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/sites/default/files/uploads/10877/Moore-Winter-Marathon-NakedEye-Binocular_1-25_2.pdf

Telescopes
Guide -> http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/tv/skyatnight/moore-winter-marathon-guide-26-50.pdf
Form -> http://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/sites/default/files/uploads/10877/Moore-Winter-Marathon-Telescopic_26-50_1.pdf

[ronin]

I remember the "Moore Winter Marathon", it was a bit "odd".

One thing to look for was The big G, they had joined the dots to make a letter G.

The funny aspect was that SPM had never heard of it, didn't know what they were on about and you could tell he didn't think much of that one.

Which as it was the "Moore Winter Marathon" made it a little obvious he had very little (no) input to it.

I suspect Chris and the other presenter had created it and applied SPM's name.

[mikepope]

Thanks all. I now have some great stuff printed off, the Space Detectives Handbook, a 150p dob en route, Stellarium installed and we're ready to rock.

I'm now off to fret over how good the skyliner eyepieces are in terms of easy to use if you're a child / not a good winker! Next stop a beginners guide to whether it's field of view, eye relief or something else entirely I need to care about....

[WPK]

Hello Mike

The Space Detective's Handbook is very good log book for kids. Available from amazon. Includes area on each object for notes and drawings, and stickers for constellations seen

I ordered this from Amazon as a stocking filler for my son - arrived today it looks brilliant for 9-15 year olds who will be making their first steps in to this hobby.  Thanks Mark.

[Helen]

That's a relief - I just ordered 3 for some younger friends/family

Helen

[Helen]

That's a relief - I just ordered 3 for some younger friends/family

Helen

The log went down really well  The 6-year-old really enjoyed looking at the moon and ticking the relevant boxes, and the addition of stickers for the constellations spotted was just the icing on the cake!!

So many, many thanks for the recommendation

Helen