Logging what you've seen? How / what?

[Cjg]

So I've been stargazing for nearly two years - and my enthusiasm to just "see it" has meant that I've not bothered to record anything; there's always another weekend / evening to go stargazing right?

But with the Moore winter marathon, I've observed objects like Kemble's Cascade and NGC 1502, that I would not ordinarily have not bothered with and think it would probably be a good idea to have some record.

I have an old filofax cover that I could use, is there and established format for recording observations?

What are you guys using?

Thanks,

Chris

[ronin]

Not really, anything you think important to you or possibly anyone else.

What it is, date+time, your location as a minimum, scope being used. Area for notes for future reference, probably a big area as notes could be almost anything and extensive.

Search for astro software and see what is common to them all.

[DazC]

So I've been stargazing for nearly two years - and my enthusiasm to just "see it" has meant that I've not bothered to record anything; there's always another weekend / evening to go stargazing right?

But with the Moore winter marathon, I've observed objects like Kemble's Cascade and NGC 1502, that I would not ordinarily have not bothered with and think it would probably be a good idea to have some record.

I have an old filofax cover that I could use, is there and established format for recording observations?

What are you guys using?

Thanks,

Chris

Hi Chris,

This sounds just like a post i was thinking of posting today after last nights session.

I started the Moore Winter Marathon last night, and had to print the observation sheets off before starting to record my progress.

I like you have been doing this hobby for two years, and have taken no notes apart from a few observing reports here on SGL.

After printing off the Moore winter marathon, and logging my findings last night, i am seriously concidering using the same page layout for any future observing sessions. I read back what i'd wrote down last night and it seems so simple and i can imagine in sessions to come it will come in handy for reference, ie. Seeing conditions, equiptment used, etc, etc.

D.C

[Monty]

Here's a good source for some spreadsheets etc to record your viewings.

I'm using the messier.xls, simple to use and understand.

[Matt Scunthorpe]

Ive attached what i use, i dont note the scope or the conditions, as my scope is always the same. Its just a simple 1 for yes, 0 for no, and it keeps count for you.

Messier Log.xls

[Cjg]

Thanks for the replies and links / attachments.

I like the idea of the same format as the Moore Winter Marathon - my Sky Safari has an observed list, so just have to see what I can add to the data.

Cheers

Chris

[michaelmorris]

I've kept log books for years. I use cheap plastic cover A5 ruled notebooks from WH Smith's.

I start a separate page for each observing sessions and note the date. location, start and end times, weather, Moon phase, seeing and transparancy. For each object observed/imaged I write down the instruments/filters/eyepieces/cameras/exposure etc. used and a general decsiption of my impression of the object. Sometimes this is quite technical, sometimes it's more aesthetic.

I'm now on book number 5.