Log books

[Tim Armes]

Hi,

I have some general questions converning log books:

How many of you guys keep log books?

Paper or electronic?

If electronic, what software do you use?

What information do you log?

Are they really useful?

Thanks,

Tim

[Merlin66]

My observing log books go back to 1960.

I use a secretary pad at the scope then transfer the info into a hardback A4 book.

AstroPlanner is ideal for electronic records.

[RikM]

I keep a log book. I use a little spiral bound pad at the scope then write it up in a hardback A5 'Black and Red' book after I have finished. Here is page from a little while ago.

Observing from Home

1900-2200 UT

Skymax 127 on EQ3-2

Doubles = 40mm Kelner / 15mm Plossl / 2x Barlow

Moon = 15mm Plossl with 2x Barlow and Light Pollution Reducing filter

VLM = 3.0, Meteo = clear sky, transparency = fair, seeing = good

Image ref: SK_Copernicus_20110412_2015Z_mcrae.jpg

Notes:

Doubles

I had a good go at tracking down a few double stars tonight as the seeing was pretty good.

First up was Gamma Virginis (Porima), but unfortunately could not split this one. Up to Gamma Leonis, (Algeiba) a nice pair of close bright yellow stars. Over to 54 Leonis above the back of Leo the lion. Another tight pair, a brighter yellow primary with a fainter blue or red companion (colour was darker but couldn't decide on the shade). Then over to Kappa and Iota Boötis. Each wider doubles than those in Leo and nice contrasts in colout White / blue for Kappa, Yellow / blue for Iota. Iota Boötis really is quite a wide double, easily split even in the 40mm Kelner I was using as a finder. I had a go at Epsilon Boötis (Izar), but failed to split it. UP to Alpha Canum Venaticorim (Cor Caroli), a fabulous yellow / yellow double with a nice separation and contrast in brightness. I tried to find Zeta Corona Borialis, but with the sky washed out from the bright first quarter moon, I couldn't find it.

Moon

Seeing was better than I have had for some time. So much so that I was able to push the magnification up to 200x and do some crater hopping on the Moon. I used a sky-watcher 1.25" LPR filter instead of my usual 0.96ND moon filter and it was quite a revelation. The glare was reduced as you would expect, but the contrast was also dramatically enhanced which made it possible to pull out more detail than I have ever seen before.

I started with Plato as the rim-shadow across the crater floor showed a fantastic group of shapes but I still could not detect the small craterlets on the main floor that are one of the targets of the Lunar 100 list. Then down to Arystillus and Autolycus, a fine pairing in the field of view. The high contrast between the rim-shadow and the lit sides of the craters was incredible. After surfing down the terminator I settled on Copernicus, which never fails to please with it's complex of steps and ledges on the crater walls, central peaks and interesting shadow shapes. After a quick sketch using 2B, 4B and 6B pencils onto cartridge paper, I called it a night.

[Nillchill]

I keep a log book. I use a little spiral bound pad at the scope then write it uip in a hardback A5 'Black and Red' book after I have finished. Here is page from a litle while ago.

Observing from Home

1900-2200 UT

Skymax 127 on EQ3-2

Doubles = 40mm Kelner / 15mm Plossl / 2x Barlow

Moon = 15mm Plossl with 2x Barlow and Light Pollution Reducing filter

VLM = 3.0, Meteo = clear sky, transparency = fair, seeing = good

Image ref: SK_Copernicus_20110412_2015Z_mcrae.jpg

Notes:

Doubles

I had a good go at tracking down a few double stars tonight as the seeing was pretty good.

First up was Gamma Virginis (Porima), but unfortunately could not split this one. Up to Gamma Leonis, (Algeiba) a nice pair of close bright yellow stars. Over to 54 Leonis above the back of Leo the lion. Another tight pair, a brighter yellow primary with a fainter blue or red companion (colour was darker but couldn't decide on the shade). Then over to Kappa and Iota Boötis. Each wider doubles than those in Leo and nice contrasts in colout White / blue for Kappa, Yellow / blue for Iota. Iota Boötis really is quite a wide double, easily split even in the 40mm Kelner I was using as a finder. I had a go at Epsilon Boötis (Izar), but failed to split it. UP to Alpha Canum Venaticorim (Cor Caroli), a fabulous yellow / yellow double with a nice separation and contrast in brightness. I tried to find Zeta Corona Borialis, but with the sky washed out from the bright first quarter moon, I couldn't find it.

Moon

Seeing was better than I have had for some time. So much so that I was able to push the magnification up to 200x and do some crater hopping on the Moon. I used a sky-watcher 1.25" LPR filter instead of my usual 0.96ND moon filter and it was quite a revelation. The glare was reduced as you would expect, but the contrast was also dramatically enhanced which made it possible to pull out more detail than I have ever seen before.

I started with Plato as the rim-shadow across the crater floor showed a fantastic group of shapes but I still could not detect the small craterlets on the main floor that are one of the targets of the Lunar 100 list. Then down to Arystillus and Autolycus, a fine pairing in the field of view. The high contrast between the rim-shadow and the lit sides of the craters was incredible. After surfing down the terminator I settled on Copernicus, which never fails to please with it's complex of steps and ledges on the crater walls, central peaks and interesting shadow shapes. After a quick sketch using 2B, 4B and 6B pencils onto cartridge paper, I called it a night.

Rik

I like the way you have set out your log entries, I think I may adopt this style for my logbooks, thanks for sharing

tony

[Telrad]

I keep a Log Book and I think you will need to record some if not all of the following information. Here's what I do...

* Time of the beginning and end of session or midpoint of an astronomical sketch. All times should be in at least local time.

* The double date, Month and year e.g.: 17/18th. June. 2011

* Telescope type, focal ratio or length, eyepiece used, magnification, apparent FOV plus you might also want to mention if you used a diagonal and comment on polar alignment and on the accuracy of your motor drive or GO-TO encoders/drives. Keeping notes on your telescope's performance, modifications and upgrades can be great to look back on.

* Your Target: give a detailed physical description of your target; this may also include a sketch or image you took.

* Make a note of the local weather conditions. Include a transparency and seeing scale, % of cloud cover, the presence of Moonlight and any mist, fog, snow, high level clouds and so forth.

* I try to always include my own thoughts and feelings during a session regarding my equipment, the sky and how I am feeling which adds that personal touch.

* I always record my location whether it be the front or back garden, the country or a specialised area like when a group of observers meet together for an all night session. I also include the names of anyone who is with me, their scopes and their observing agenda so I end up recording not just my own work but the work of others as well.

* Miscellaneous: it’s the little things that make records of high sentimental value like keeping notes of the environment around you. You may want to include…nocturnal formations of Geese, any visits in the night from Foxes and other wildlife, any human visitors, heavy frosts, heavy snow falls, gale force winds, lightning, light pollution, chimney smoke, areas of the sky blocked by trees and houses , power failures, collimation trouble, car headlights, human noise, any personal things happening in you own life, the effects of work or other people on your observing time, future plans and purchases etc.

[Tim Armes]

Thanks for the info everyone.

I'll give it a shot.

Tim