{"id":1096,"date":"2020-09-25T06:27:58","date_gmt":"2020-09-25T06:27:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stargazing.me.uk\/?p=1096"},"modified":"2020-10-03T22:55:15","modified_gmt":"2020-10-03T22:55:15","slug":"how-to-keep-an-astronomy-journal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/?p=1096","title":{"rendered":"How To Keep An Astronomy Journal?"},"content":{"rendered":"

An astronomy journal is a great way to record your celestial observations. These records are important in noting and tracking changes in appearance, position, coordinates<\/a> and behaviour of objects like stars and planets.<\/p>\n

Your well-kept astronomical records may also be useful for confirming phenomena observed by other amateur or professional astronomers. You never know; maybe one day you\u2019ll join the ranks of famous amateur astronomers who made big discoveries.<\/p>\n

If that day ever comes, you\u2019ll need records to back-up your discovery. But even if you don\u2019t become the next Thomas Bopp (of the Comet Hale-Bopp discovery), keeping an astronomy journal will make you a better astronomer.<\/p>\n

You go from simply looking at objects to actually studying them. So how to keep an astronomy journal?<\/p>\n

The Best Type of Astronomy Journal<\/h2>\n

You can certainly use a digital journal or diary to record your observations, but the old school pen and paper method is best.<\/p>\n

For one, you don\u2019t have to worry about network connectivity, a problem when you want to take the advantage of the dark skies in remote countryside locations.<\/p>\n

A physical astronomy log also gives you more flexibility when recording. In addition to recording text of what you see, you can also make quick sketches.<\/p>\n

If you prefer a digital journal, look for one that can work offline and allows sketches using your finger or a stylus.<\/p>\n

If you prefer a physical journal, look for one with hard backing, high quality paper and durable binding. Avoid journals with loose leaf binding, as it\u2019s easy for papers to fall off and crucial records to get lost.<\/p>\n

Also, consider portability. If you do most of your observations away from home, you\u2019ll need a smaller journal that\u2019s easy to travel with. You may find a pocket size journal to be the best.<\/p>\n

Something else to consider is whether you\u2019ll have one or multiple journals.<\/p>\n

If you spend most of your time on the telescope observing and tracking specific objects like the moon, sun, planets or stars, you can have a single journal.<\/p>\n

But if you explore the entire sky, consider having a different journal for each object or category. You can have one for our moon, another for planets, another for stars and another for clusters and nebula.<\/p>\n

Finally, decide if you\u2019d like to buy a pre-printed astronomy journal or use an ordinary journal.<\/p>\n

The advantage of a pre-printed astronomy journal (like this one<\/a>), is that they already come with labels for things like date, location, telescope settings and so on.\u00a0So all you need to do is fill out the details. This can be a time saver when you are busy tracking an object.<\/p>\n

Most pre-printed astronomy journals provide space for sketches as well as writing.<\/p>\n

You can go with an ordinary journal, but that will involve a bit more recording work.<\/p>\n

Some amateur astronomers keep two versions of the same journal. One is for rough notes and sketches. You use it to quickly jot down or draw what you are seeing.<\/p>\n

Later, you transfer those records to a proper log book, adding more detail and making better sketches.<\/p>\n

However you do it, the most important thing is to maintain a clear, detailed and regularly updated records.<\/p>\n

What to Record in an Astronomy Journal<\/h2>\n

Regardless of what you are observing, you\u2019ll need to always record certain details. A pre-printed astronomy journal will have the labels, so you just fill in the blank spaces.<\/p>\n

If you are using an ordinary journal, you\u2019ll need to write the labels yourself every time you add new observations.<\/p>\n

Here are the essential details you should always record.<\/p>\n