Nice report Sab and great sketches. To attach images, scroll down to "Manage Attachments" and browse to the image file on your computer. It has to be under 200k, jpeg is best.
You might also be interested in the IIS Observing Log Template, you can
download from here.
I was also interested in this comment:
Quote:
That's it, when I graduate from uni and get a job, I'm getting a refractor for planetary viewing!
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Why do you think a refractor would be better for planetary viewing? A refractor just won't give you the magnification and detail you need/want for planetary viewing. It just doesn't have the aperture.
Reflectors give absolutely magnificent views of the planets when:
1) Collimated correctly
2) At ambient temperature
3) In very good seeing.
A large aperture reflector will give brilliant views. You just have to persist.
If collimation is frustrating you, have you considering meeting up with some other amateurs near you to get help with it? It shouldn't need to be a scary or frustrating thing - once you've done it properly once, and know how to do it properly, it should require very little adjustments each time you go out to observe.