Your Log Book, Notebook, or Journal

[mikemarotta]

It is integral to the practice of science to record your work. We learned to do it in school laboratory classes. Working on a database management software project, the new grad behind me reminded me of the practice. He pointed to some of the management problems we had discussed between us and recommended that recording our work could be important to our success (or lack of failure). So, when my wife and daughter gave me a telescope for my birthday in 2014, I started a notebook. I chose a bound book of graph paper. I did that for forensic reasons. Anything can be gimmicked, but the bound notebook is a recognized standard tool to show the continuity of your work. It can stand up in a court of law.

The RASC Observer's Handbook recommends a loose leaf 3-ring format. (See "The Observing Logbook" by Paul Markov, pg 86 in the 2021 edition.) The recommendation is based on being able to remove and scan pages into PDF format to share on forums such as this one. Some people here have mentioned using computer-based notetaking, including with tablets, phones, etc.

Ultimately it may not matter as long as you keep one. The discussions here on the subject were rather brief and sparse. Below are just a few out-takes, but I think that it about outlines the consensus here.

Can I ask, are log books widely used in the community? If some do like to log their observations, do you like to draw pictures or do you just record what you have seen in text - I am not very good at drawing and just wondering how most of you do it.

I think most of your questions come down to a matter of personal preference. I keep a log but not everybody does and the amount of detail entered varies from person to person.

I keep two separate logs -
1. An observational log of things I have seen with my eyes.
2. An astrophotography log that records object, what DVD images are permanently stored on, and whether I need to reshoot for more photons or because I need a barlow to enlarge the object.
Like others have said it's a personal preference. I use http://observation.sourceforge.net/en/ for visual recording and LibreOffice Calc (spreadsheet) for AP.

Take the log book for example. When I bought my first couple of scopes and started learning how to use them I Googled like a madman, hoarding information and links like the Internet was going away next week. During that phase I downloaded a few logbook templates. Although these are spreadsheets and PDFs that would work flawlessly I ended up opting to use a journal program on a laptop. While the logbooks are great for things like observation contests I needed something a lot more flexible -- a blank text-friendly page to fill, something I could fill with both session data (e.g. - sky conditions, temperature, what I saw, etc.) along with my thoughts and impressions. Today I've got it set up to where I can use a diary app on my phone to grab quick notes on the spot, sync them in the cloud, then pull them up on the laptop and copy them over to the main journal.

I like to create a list beforehand, written in my notebook, then at the eyepiece with a red light shining I look at my atlas, usually picking out a nearby object or two that will involve a challenge.

The Astronomical League sells a bound notebook for keeping track of your work.
AL Visual Astronomical Observing Journal (Logbook) -- $16.00

The Astronomer's Journal is an 8.5x11 inch soft cover, spiral-bound, observer's log and sketch book. It includes 102 pages (51 double sided sheets) of logging pages which contains defined fields of entry (time, date, seeing, location, equipment, etc), two sketching circles, and room for the observer's own notes and additional information on the object. There are a few pages of a blank Table of Observations to be filled in listing the contents of the observer's recorded objects serving as a reference of the observational contents (a Table of Contents once completed), as well as a Catalog Information page to provide a brief description of the entire journal to keep it organized with your additional observing journals in your acquired set. It also contains an Introduction, a guide to astronomical observation journaling, tips for better observing, a brief summary of useful calculations related to journaling your observations, and a greek letter reference table.

[Ylem]

Here's what I did; I took my copy of Left Turn at Orion and put a simple ✓ after everything I observed in the index.

It worked for me

[JayTee]

Since 2015 all of my observing sessions have been documented by using my phone's dictation feature. I haven't typed or written anything in ages, yet everything I've observed is in black and white for the my records.

To be honest not all words are correctly recognized and those need to be fixed and the organization of these notes does require a little bit of extra notation, but not a lot.

The best part is I can dictate at the eyepiece, so my observations and impressions are real time.

Cheers,
JT

[mikemarotta]

I haven't typed or written anything in ages, yet everything I've observed is in black and white for the my records.

So, you link your phone to your computer and store to \folder\filename and then print out the transcript and then what? Put them into a 3-ring? It seems very efficient.

[mikemarotta]

Here's what I did; I took my copy of Left Turn at Orion and put a simple ✓ after everything I observed in the index. It worked for me

Well, OK, thumbs up for that, but do you not also enter time, date, place, instrument, etc., in the margins? Using TLAO as your guide seems innovative and compelling.

[kt4hx]

I tend to be a bit old school in my observing practices. I eschew using electronics in the field still using printed atlases or charts I print out from Sky Tools 3 and/or other sources and use a red light to read the charts and make pen/paper notes. I sort of have my own shorthand for my notations that I scribble at the observing table. I then type that all in by hand in MS Word to preserve my observing notes and I also keep a spreadsheet log in Excel organized by constellation where I list the object constellation alternative identifiers and object type. I keep multiple copies of both documents.

In my final notes, which are more akin to observing reports, I list the objects with their respective data (i.e., for galaxies - type, mag, size and SBr) and what I observed at differing magnifications. These "reports" are sorted by date and location, and include the aperture and eyepieces needed. I also include any SQM-L meter readings I take during the session. I never list times, because I simply do not care and find that particular detail unneeded. I realize that frequently the times are asked for when applying for awards, but since I never apply for awards it is something I never got into the habit of doing.

Bottom line, there is no wrong or right way to do it - only what we each feel comfortable with. The most important facet is to keep a record in some fashion. I preach this over and over to folks - keep a log. For decades I did not because I failed to understand the importance. Therefore, while I do remember many observations across the years, a great number are lost to aging and fading memory. That is my great lament, I did not keep records from the beginning. So I don't have a really clear understanding of my own progression from beginner to experienced observer, which notes would have clearly outlined.

So about 10 years ago I made a conscience effort to log my observations, which went through various changes in format until I settled on my current methodology. In that time I had to re-observe many objects in order to obtain a tangible record of my movements around the sky. So to that end I always encourage beginners to start keeping a record of their observations from the get-go. What better way to understand where you started and how you have progressed as an observer. You may be amazed at how you progress in your observing skills and understanding of the night sky, and your own words will clearly spell that out for you.

[Lady Fraktor]

For years I have done similar to what Alan does though I do occasionally use a pocket recorder set on the tripod. No phone, computer or electronic device besides maybe a radio.
Planning is done using various atlases indoors and at the telescope it is the atlas of choice for the evening, red flashlight.
Lately with very minimal time for viewing I go and observe, no plan, no records generated, just observe and enjoy.

[kt4hx]

For years I have done similar to what Alan does though I do occasionally use a pocket recorder set on the tripod. No phone, computer or electronic device besides maybe a radio.
Planning is done using various atlases indoors and at the telescope it is the atlas of choice for the evening, red flashlight.
Lately with very minimal time for viewing I go and observe, no plan, no records generated, just observe and enjoy.

Agree Gabrielle. There are different types of observing that I've done. On those nights when I plan to pursue galaxies vehemently, I have both the IDSA and Uranometria on the table, as well as possibly some charts of galaxy clusters printed from ST3. But other nights, I just kind of cruise around in a more haphazard way seeing what I can see, with a little more emphasis on brighter objects that I don't have to burn my brain up concentrating to see or think about too much other than simply to enjoy.

While I enjoy what I like to call combat observing where I am really digging and scratching to observe as deep and as many as I can, there are times when I want more simplicity. It is not uncommon during one of my combat sessions to have to take breaks because the muscles around my observing eye start to twitch due to the strain of concentrating so much to pick up a lot of tiny dust bunnies against the dark sky. It is a weird and slightly disorienting sensation!

[jrkirkham]

I keep three logs, sort of. I keep a little black journal where I record my notes, scribbles, plans, etc. It is just scrap paper. When I finish it I toss it and replace it with a new one.

Then I type my reports from the little black book and place them in a three ring binder in the observatory. I gave my brother and one of my best childhood friends keys to the observatory and invited them to use it as often as they like. The three ring bind lets them know what I am up to. It is a way for us to communicate. I guess that is my observatory log book.

Then I keep my real notes on my computer. I am usually working on some AL program, so my real notes are the ones I submit for each project. I keep a cap hanging in my warm room with all the hat pins that I get for completing different AL programs.

[JayTee]

So, you link your phone to your computer and store to \folder\filename and then print out the transcript and then what? Put them into a 3-ring? It seems very efficient.

Hi Mike,

I've actually gone paperless on my observing notes. After it gets tidied up it goes into my folder on my Google drive.

Years ago I had actual physical log books. But because I was in the military and moved around a lot, they tended to get lost. So I stopped using logbooks for a while. Now I'm back using logbooks (since 2015) but only electronically, that way they can't get lost. I don't expect Google drive is going anywhere.

BTW, it's much easier to do a search for an object that you may have or have not observed when it exists on a computer file.

Cheers,
JT

[Greenman]

Hmm, I need to consider this, to date my observations have been too unplanned to record. As I get more serious I need to do this. In the lab I religiously updated a log book of my work (as it was required), but administration does not come naturally to me. I have a butterfly brain, and something interesting comes along and bang - I’m off on a tangent.

I will start a logbook from my next session. I will see what apps are available for my iPad... If it's on the iPad I will do it, and even I find difficulty reading my writing (scribble) so typing it in is far better.

[Bigzmey]

I tend to be a bit old school in my observing practices. I eschew using electronics in the field still using printed atlases or charts I print out from Sky Tools 3 and/or other sources and use a red light to read the charts and make pen/paper notes. I sort of have my own shorthand for my notations that I scribble at the observing table. I then type that all in by hand in MS Word to preserve my observing notes and I also keep a spreadsheet log in Excel organized by constellation where I list the object constellation alternative identifiers and object type. I keep multiple copies of both documents.

Over the years my log keeping process has developed to the method very similar to Alan's. I wonder why?

I have a journal where I write notes during the sessions chronologically. It includes all targets I have observed with descriptions of what I saw and equipment used. It also includes sketches, events happening during the sessions (people I meet, nature, wild life, weather, meteors, Moonrise/set, etc.) and my thoughts. After each session I type them into the Word and eventually they become my observing reports here on TSS.

I also keep Excel database with separate sections for DSOs, double stars, asteroids, comets, carbon stars, Novas and SNs. After each sessions I log what I have observed in there. I keep printed copy on me when I observe. It serves two purposes: to know which targets I have observed already (after first hundred it is hard to keep track of) and to serve as a reference for new targets on what EPs, filters, observing tricks I have used for similar targets in the past.

Most important is to start keeping notes. Your style will naturally evolve to reflect on what important for you. My earliest entries are just check marks (not even a date), and year after year they have became more and more detailed.

[pakarinen]

I use a voice recorder app since I'm usually running Sky Safari on my phone. I transcribe recordings into an old school lined journal later. On the rare occasions I sketch something, I just tape the sketch into the journal. Unless there's something noteworthy, I don't record seeing, transparency, etc.

[mikemarotta]

Then I type my reports from the little black book and place them in a three ring binder in the observatory. .... I guess that is my observatory log book. Then I keep my real notes on my computer. ... I keep a cap hanging in my warm room with all the hat pins that I get for completing different AL programs.

Wow. That's very impressive. You do a lot of good work. I also like the fact that you sport your AL pins. (More on that in a different topic.) I looked at the AL forms for Stellar Evolution. I thought that they might make a good format for my own notebook. I realized after starting this that my own work is sub-standard. I have just been logging impressions, rather than data. You seem to be doing this right.

[mikemarotta]

I have a journal where I write notes during the sessions chronologically. ... I also keep Excel database with separate sections for ... It serves two purpose...

That's all very interesting. I realize that I have been too unstructured as an observer. I mean, it's nice to go out and check on the Universe and I really like being able to validate that it all works as described. I have actually sat there and watched a moon of Jupiter move through the night. And the thing with double stars is how astounding they were for William Herschel and how they changed our understanding of the Universe. So, seeing eta Cass or epsilon Lyrae is edifying. But beyond that, I think that some discipline might help.

Anyway, thanks for the paradigm.

[jrkirkham]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm not really that put together I just keep records that way because they work for me. The little notebook is where I scribble. I started keeping the binder when I started sharing my observatory. I wanted the others to know why I had the OTA configuration set up the way I did and when I expect to be out there. The important notes are the AL notes on my computer. If I wasn't sharing the dome and working toward an AL program I would just keep the little notebook with my scribbles.

[Ylem]

Here's what I did; I took my copy of Left Turn at Orion and put a simple ✓ after everything I observed in the index. It worked for me

Well, OK, thumbs up for that, but do you not also enter time, date, place, instrument, etc., in the margins? Using TLAO as your guide seems innovative and compelling.

Sometimes I make notes, I turn to the page of the description of the item and make some notes there in the margins.

I'm kind of a minimalist and a simpleton I guess

[Baurice]

My observing records are all online for all to see:

http://sungazer127mak.blogspot.com

I have also started to annotate some of my images in my photo gallery:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/philippug ... 652953806/

I have older records but have not kept them online, as they were not getting viewed.

[pakarinen]

Sometimes I make notes, I turn to the page of the description of the item and make some notes there in the margins.

I'm kind of a minimalist and a simpleton I guess

Nah. Less gear to drag out - clipboard and / or table, red lamp, pens, pencils, etc.

[mikemarotta]

My observing records are all online for all to see: ... I have also started to annotate some of my images in my photo gallery:... I have older records but have not kept them online, as they were not getting viewed.

Wow. Thanks!
I wouid have kept online the ones that were not getting viewed, but I understand the need to reduce clutter.
The frog and insects were also a bit of surprise, but pleasant. I have a few snapshots of my own of large spiders and friendly lizards.