How do you log your observations? (very long)

I agree 100%, although nowadays I log my observations also electronically,
the hardcover bound
book is the way to go!

I've thought about the electronic log, but I think I like being able to add
sketches and drawings right in my logbook. Is there a way to add drawings
into an electronic log? I don't know much about them............

Maybe after my logbook runs out of blank pages I might go that direction.

F Marion

"Larry Stedman" wrote in message
...
I've been round and round on this over the years. One issue that vexes
me is whether to organize my notes by date of observation or by object
being viewed. (or by constellation? or by type of object?)

I cleaned out my car today, the one I haven't drove in a year. In it I
found my first log book from 2002. It's a spiral bound 200 page pocket note
book (right size to fit in the shirt pocket but too thick to do so). On my
book shelf I have a string of Meade Composition wide ruled note books, I
bought each one after setting the last one down and forgetting where. In my
Observatory I have two more. Each of these log books only have a few
scribbles each and a couple of them have some drawings and if it were not
for finding that little note book I would have went out to buy another.

I'd like to have something that's easily organized and doesn't look like
every other note book around here. So, thanks to an ad in AstroMart, In
comes AstroLogs.com! I haven't bought anything from them yet but I'm
seriously thinking about it. Anyone have experience with their log books?
--
Michael A. Barlow

"Larry Stedman" wrote in message
...
I've been round and round on this over the years. One issue that vexes
me is whether to organize my notes by date of observation or by object
being viewed. (or by constellation? or by type of object?)

I cleaned out my car today, the one I haven't drove in a year. In it I
found my first log book from 2002. It's a spiral bound 200 page pocket note
book (right size to fit in the shirt pocket but too thick to do so). On my
book shelf I have a string of Meade Composition wide ruled note books, I
bought each one after setting the last one down and forgetting where. In my
Observatory I have two more. Each of these log books only have a few
scribbles each and a couple of them have some drawings and if it were not
for finding that little note book I would have went out to buy another.

I'd like to have something that's easily organized and doesn't look like
every other note book around here. So, thanks to an ad in AstroMart, In
comes AstroLogs.com! I haven't bought anything from them yet but I'm
seriously thinking about it. Anyone have experience with their log books?
--
Michael A. Barlow

Jeez! Am I supposed to making a list of everything I look at through my
'scope?

No, only if it sounds like something you'd like to do. Besides you'll do a
crappy job if it's not something your interested in.

That sounds a bit too much like serious work for me!

It's really not that bad, if it's something you want to do you get use to
it, you can make it as serious as you want.

F Marion

Jeez! Am I supposed to making a list of everything I look at through my
'scope?

No, only if it sounds like something you'd like to do. Besides you'll do a
crappy job if it's not something your interested in.

That sounds a bit too much like serious work for me!

It's really not that bad, if it's something you want to do you get use to
it, you can make it as serious as you want.

F Marion

I've managed to look at a few hundred objects and most of what I look at is
contained on a couple of simple atlases, so I mainly log to keep track of how
often I am getting out to observe, what the conditions are, and what scopes I
am using most. I feel bad if I don't at least do that much. I also sketch
Jupiter from memory when I come back in, I'm not trying to be scientific or
especially accurate, and I can't seem to get myself to pull out the old sketch
pad when it is five degrees outside. Doing it when I get in does help me to be
more observant when I am looking, too. Each time I get a little better at
memorizing proportions in addition to the obvious features.

ratster
~( );

I've managed to look at a few hundred objects and most of what I look at is
contained on a couple of simple atlases, so I mainly log to keep track of how
often I am getting out to observe, what the conditions are, and what scopes I
am using most. I feel bad if I don't at least do that much. I also sketch
Jupiter from memory when I come back in, I'm not trying to be scientific or
especially accurate, and I can't seem to get myself to pull out the old sketch
pad when it is five degrees outside. Doing it when I get in does help me to be
more observant when I am looking, too. Each time I get a little better at
memorizing proportions in addition to the obvious features.

ratster
~( );

On Fri, 09 Apr 2004 15:12:49 -0400, Larry Stedman wrote:

I've been round and round on this over the years. One issue that vexes
me is whether to organize my notes by date of observation or by object
being viewed. (or by constellation? or by type of object?)...


Larry,

I use a cross-referencing system that's pretty simple. On a spreadsheet, I
put together an observing list of objects in a constellation or by theme
such as Local Group galaxies, Abell galaxy clusters, etc. I print out a
sheet that has the name of each object with a corresponding box in which
the date (or dates) of my observation is entered. This sheet goes in a
manila folder with the rest of the information of interest.

The observations are recorded in a notebook that takes on a sort of diary
format, with the date at the top of each page. When the notebook is
filled, I put the date range on the cover. It's easy to then go from my
folder to the page in the chronologically arranged notebook.

I don't know the exact number, but I would guess I have recorded notes on a
couple thousand unique objects. Ideally, you'd think that I would have
entered all of these notes into a computer, but that just hasn't happened
yet.

I do not have his software, but I understand that Greg Crinklaw's Sky Tools
is excellent for managing observing notes, among many other things. I'm
sure he will pitch in to this thread eventually.

Tom

On Fri, 09 Apr 2004 15:12:49 -0400, Larry Stedman wrote:

I've been round and round on this over the years. One issue that vexes
me is whether to organize my notes by date of observation or by object
being viewed. (or by constellation? or by type of object?)...


Larry,

I use a cross-referencing system that's pretty simple. On a spreadsheet, I
put together an observing list of objects in a constellation or by theme
such as Local Group galaxies, Abell galaxy clusters, etc. I print out a
sheet that has the name of each object with a corresponding box in which
the date (or dates) of my observation is entered. This sheet goes in a
manila folder with the rest of the information of interest.

The observations are recorded in a notebook that takes on a sort of diary
format, with the date at the top of each page. When the notebook is
filled, I put the date range on the cover. It's easy to then go from my
folder to the page in the chronologically arranged notebook.

I don't know the exact number, but I would guess I have recorded notes on a
couple thousand unique objects. Ideally, you'd think that I would have
entered all of these notes into a computer, but that just hasn't happened
yet.

I do not have his software, but I understand that Greg Crinklaw's Sky Tools
is excellent for managing observing notes, among many other things. I'm
sure he will pitch in to this thread eventually.

Tom

I have only recently taken up this hobby, but I have been keeping basic
observation logs in web collaboration software called Wiki. For more
information on what a Wiki is, see http://wiki.org/wiki.cgi?WhatIsWiki.

Anyhow, I use this tool to keep a text log of what I observe and any
other notes that could otherwise be written down. I have mine organized
by date, but Wiki allows full text searching so it is very flexible. As
I get more advanced in my observations, I may start making sketches to
be scanned in later and included with the text record of the night.

If you have the resources to set one up, I highly recommend it.

Eric


Larry Stedman wrote:
I've been round and round on this over the years. One issue that vexes
me is whether to organize my notes by date of observation or by object
being viewed. (or by constellation? or by type of object?) I've
thought about, but never gotten around to giving every page of two in a
log book the name of an object, with subsequent observations being
recorded on the same page. (Say 110 sheets for the Messiers!) It would
probably be organized at the highest level by constellation for easy
return access. (I count print it out based on some observing list, too.)

How do you ORGANIZE your log?

The other, considerably more complex matter, and one of personal style
no doubt, is how involved the log should be--and what format to do it
in! I've penned in notes in the margins of star atlases, on flapping
in-the-breeze stapled printed lists, and in the Night Sky Observer Guide
books----each beside the object in question. With my frequently
illegible scrawls (caused both my poor handwriting and trying to write
in the dark when it's cold), I've also tried the Palm route, using
Grafitti and text macros in HanDBase to record notes & drawings *by
object* & automatically entering date, seeing conditions, which scope,
and which eyepiece (even had some of the NGC designations in there for
auto entry: "extremely", "bright", "middle", "suddenly", "round").
That's intriguing because I can organize the log around a database such
as "The Best of NGC" or "SAA's top 100" which will also tell me what to
look for. But if often seems like work!

I've used a 1/2 sized spiral ring binder, with entries by dates (great
for browsing back over time, though 15-20% of it is illegible). I've
also used the Palm's memo pad, writing in notes by dates, 90-95%
legible. I've tried cassette recorders, digital records, and a Palm
with Voice memo feature and transcribed my notes the next day.

But, in the end, each method seems to fall apart; never quites work, and
I never stick with it. Yet that nagging feeling remains that "if you
didn't log it, you didn't see it" (and that's often true, as it can be
difficult weeks later remembering which sprial galaxy had the detail one
spotted, or which unusual colored double one encountered).

I'm interested in what approaches others take, which they've discarded,
which ones work out best for them. I'm hoping to glean some ideas about
how I should do this.

Larry Stedman
Vestal