Recording my Observations

[bluesboy]

Hi

Just got in from viewing Jupiter again. Yes I can pick it out now. But still not able to see it very clearly, especially tonight. Cloud come over, All gone.

Anyway, what is the best way to keep a record of my time outside watching and recording what I see? Is there an electronic table or will I have to invent one?

Gary

[ScottS]

Have a read of this thread from a while ago. I had a quick look through it. May be of some use to you.

[Qualia]

I take it casually but generally I do the following:

• a new page or more for each evening/day of observation.

• weather conditions, time, and date.

• gear (optical & filters) used. I just do something like 4" f/10, 19mm Pan, Herschel Wedge etc.

• object's name, type of object, constellation.

• sketch A - this approach is generally for a planets, double stars, non-open cluster Messier-type object, that is, keeping the sketch area small, about 7cm to 8cm diameter, this will help you concentrate on observing, rather than focusing on producing an artistic interpretation.

• sketch B - generally do this for Solar observations, open clusters or wanting greater expanse on planet work, that is, a larger sketch area, the best circle I have found is the free plastic disc they include when you buy a pack of blank CDs or simply to use a compass.

• For all sketches I like to include orientation marks, field of view.

• Inlcude a brief description of your observation, any subtle colours you saw, difficulties found, anything interesting or point you'd like to remember.

• Notes to yourself to look up stuff, study on etc.

Here are a couple of nice sites:

Observing Logbooks

Observing Logs

Templates

Hope this helped

[avtaram]

I use an A5 artists spiral bound sketch book for sketching at the telescope and an A4 sketch book for transcribing my observations with

some added information on the object observed

.

Avtar

[bluesboy]

Thanks, plenty there to be getting on with