Observing Log

[trekker308]

What observing log do you other members use? I've found Astrobyte:-

http://www.mainbyte.com/astrobyte/

..... and I'm considering using this as my standard, but I'm wondering if there's something better (or more widely used) out there :scratch:

[radioactive]

Allan thanks for finding the link I have downloaded the program will have a good look at it and let you know what I think of it ( for what its worth being a relative newbie and not really using a log yet myself ) hope someone with a lot of experience will give you a much better reply

[daz]

This looks quite interesting Allan!

I usually just use a notebook, but this looks like it could be very useful.

I'll give a proper run tonight and report back!

[trekker308]

daz

I think I found it on Astrobits, which you guys probably already know of, but it's a site full of goodies for newbies like me!

http://astrotips.com/

[daz]

I used this in the field last night, and here's my take on it:

It's split into different sub-programs, Solar System, NGC Cat, SAC Cat, Messier and a Custom one that you can create.

I used the Solar System and Messier ones, as that's what I focused on.

For each object, there is a some general info, as well it's RA and DEC co-ordinates, and especially useful on the Messier's, a picture of what the thing looks like and map showing it's location.

Once you've observed it, there is a box to tick (reason why comes later) and you can fill in your instrument details, magnification, seeing, transparency, local time, UT time and some notes. There is also the facility to copy parts of this data to the clipboard, so you don't need to retype it for every object you observe.

There are then a set of reports you can select - completed, not-completed for example, and the program has a monthly worksheet that lists the best objects viewable for that month.

It is simple to use and for logging basic observations of objects, I think it's good.

There are a couple of minor things, for me at least.

1) When entering the magnification for an observation, you can get the program to calculate it by entering your scope and EP details. However, these are not remembered and you have enter them each time. This was annoying.

2) The screen layouts are 'tight' - could have made them bigger

I found it useful, so I will keep it on the lappy - at least until something else comes along!!

UPDATE: I installed this on my main PC which used to have Office XP, but no longer. This means that some of the necessary data access components have been removed. Astrobyte did not like this, but does not install the components during setup, as far as I can see. I would need to install on a clean machine to check.

[trekker308]

Thanks for that Daz!

When you're only just starting to get serious about the hobby it's impossible to know the shortcomings of any software!

I'm getting to the point where I'm not having too much difficulty finding interesting objects to view just using Starry Night to get the co-ordinates and transferring them to the EQ6 - I don't have/don't want GOTO, as in my ignorance I believe that it's difficult to get any real knowledge of where things are in the sky if you just have to press a button and let the electronics do their bit - (due apologies to Damien here with his awesome collection of Meades )

I've drawn up an Excel spreadsheet with the appropriate formulae to work out mag and TFOVs for any eyepiece I have or buy in the future, and that serves me just fine - I can get the angular size of any object from Starry Night so that side of things is reasonably well sorted now.

As I'm on the verge of doing some imaging I thought it was about time I started to properly record observation sessions, but a lot of the logs I've come across are targeted at folk with very specific interests - variables, Messier, doubles etc., and it's way too early for me to get that specialised!

I've been thinking to design my own log using MS Access, but again it's difficult to know what parameters you should cover if you ain't got the experience yet - and as for logging the imaging side, I wouldn't have clue - yet!

Thanks again mate for the reply - I'm still tempted to play with doing my own though ......

[daz]

Hi Allan

I must admit, I am very un-organised when it comes to logging my sessions. I start off with good intentions and those intentions quickly fade. I need to get back into the habit. I see reports that Patrick Moore made and it pains me to think that I shall look back over the course of time and not be able to review my earliest sessions.

I also need to start recording my settings when imaging, for comparison and learning. Otherwise I shall be making the same fundamental errors each time!!!

[Grant]

I don't want to simply plug myself here, but I wonder, if there is a niche for a web-based version of this software? I've already setup an observation log map system (http://iseestars.net/?pgid=map) but the reports don't have a standardised format, would this be of use/interest to people? If you could define every scope you have and every eyepiece you have before hand, then when you create a report you simply select from a list, your scope, then your eyepiece, then the item you observed, time, location, report etc...?

If people are interested, then I am happy to add the features to the observation map above...

Cheers,

Grant

[trekker308]

Grant

Great idea - a big yes to that idea! Err - would your own log be downloadable to your PC??

[Grant]

Yep, I would make it so you can archive your logs locally, either as a pdf or as locally viewable html files. Much the same as you can download a backup of all of your images on Isee Stars currently, I would offer an option to download a backup of all of your observation logs.

I'll add it to my todo list

[OXO]

Grant good ideas can i ask is it possiable to have it so it remembers your Lattitude Long?

[GordonCopestake]

An excellent idea, i had thought about creating a php/mysql observing log myself, but never managed to get around to it. An off the shelf solution would be grand, especially if we can test it and use it with such a large userbase inputting ideas. Although i'de like to stress that simplicity is key, as a lot of people would be using it either at the telescope, or straight after whilst the memorys are fresh.

[Grant]

I agree with both of you guys, I think it needs to be as simple as possible and one way of doing this also solves James request, if everytime you add a report, details such as longitude/latitude, telescope choices, eyepieces choices etc.. are automagically completed for you based on your previous reports then you can simply choose the scope/eyepiece from a drop down list, you only need to change your location if you need to, you choose the type of report from a drop down list (lunar, solar, dso etc..) then you need only enter the information specific to that report.

I'm not going to get chance to start work on this for a month at least, so in that time, if people can have a think what they would want, then we can put together a system that will exactly match everyones needs.

Cheers,

Grant

[daz]

You are plugging yourself!! And quite rightly so!!!!

A great idea! This would work well with the Monthly Comparatives, especially if we could some analysis. I.E. see what kind of transparancy and seeing different locations had, and how much of a difference it makes to the observation.

Cool!

[GordonCopestake]

Surgesting targets is also a good idea, based on the month and time perhaps. Maybe some sort of integrated messier marathon, where if that DSO is available at your co-ords/date/time then you can see it on a star map and then input your observations / images along with what scope/eyepiece you used.

[Grant]

Funnily enough, the messier marathon thing is something already on my todo list, you've probably already noticed the facility on Isee Stars to keep track of your own messier images but I hope to extend that to show you how to find the object, I'm also looking at offering other objects such as lunar features, planets and objects from other deep sky lists.

If the system has a log of your scopes and eyepieces, it could even automatically suggest what you should use for a particular object, theres even a possibility of accessing some weather data, so based on your area and the time it gives you a list of good targets for that night...

hmmm, getting really complex there but the potential is there

Keep the idea coming

[GordonCopestake]

Could you use a web based ASCOM driver to control the motor of my GOTO scope too? And then take an image using my CCD and automaticly upload it to the marathon page...... so i can sleep hehe