Observation Logs....

[Digz]

How do you record your obervations?

Do you use any software, pen and paper, a fancy excel spreadsheet?

I appreciate any thoughts you may have.

[steve_bham]

i use pen and paper out in the field and type up on cloudy nights

[Merlin66]

Check out AstroPlanner V2.

It lets you plan and record your observations ( including images, DDS downloads etc etc etc)

[Bizibilder]

I just use hardbacked notebooks. I make notes at the eyepiece and then write them up later. I keep all my drawings in plastic pockets in a ring binder.

[Llamanaut]

i make notes and sketches at the scope in a rough field log and write them up later in a moleskine hardback notebook

[Digz]

hi guys, thanks for the responses. Its kinda what I was thinking. I am currently writing down in a pad and then transferring into a spreadsheet.

At the moment these are the observations I am recording:

Date,

Time,

Location

Object Name / Classification

Notes - which include description of object, magnification

Does anyone have any more items to add to this list to record?

[Bizibilder]

Also quote: The instrument(s) used and don't forget to say whether you are in BST or GMT (BST is 1 hour ahead of GMT in the summer). Seeing conditions (there are official "scales" of seeing but a clear note will do while you are starting out).

Hope this helps.

[richbyers]

i have a notepad from india that i got off a craft stall just for novelty value that i record things like date, seeing, visibility, what is viewed etc, although i also use a few downloaded programs for a more in dept record

rich

[Digz]

Thanks bizibuilder, Ill be sure to add those. Just one note though I though BST was +1 on GMT? The clock go forward for summer and back for winter.

Thanks for the input Rich, what sort of software do you use?

[Bizibilder]

Oops! Edited the silly error! Sorry!

[Digz]

Nice one, I thought I might have got it wrong - I usually do, lol