Why so few observation reports?

[Lismore Bloke (Paul)]

It seems that visual observers are reluctant to post reports of their observations. There seems to be only a relative handful of us doing it.
The imagers are very ready to post their efforts and help each other out with advice, in spite of the extra setup time and post processing work needed. Are visual amateurs so few in number?

[stephenb (Stephen)]

You pose an intruiging question. I cannot really answer your question but it is odd, isn't it? I dabble in a small amount of imaging, but my main enjoyment comes from being a visual observer. I always have. I stopped sketching long ago and I don't really record any of my observing notes anymore, although I should start that up again. I'm just happy to sit or stand at the telescope and wander from object to object, in my own world and allow my senses to soak up the views. So I guess all my observation results are in my head.

I think that perhaps some observers feel their visual observations are less than adequate when stood up against the proliferation of imaging which has occured in recent years. Or do they feel that their visual observations are boring, or not of any interest to anyone, unless they are attached to some multi-coloured, multi-stacked image?

Perhaps some observers are unable to articulate their visual observing into words, for whatever reason?

Just my thoughts on the topic.

Stephen

[goober (Doug)]

I used to do it and post here, and found it rewarding and intriguing. I wrote some Perl to aid recording and filing the reports, as well as searching back to retrieve obs reports via objects.

It's work - as you need some method of recording at the eyepiece. I tried a voice recorder and a notepad. Notepad works best and you can do a quick sketch.

[Rob_K]

Cheers -

[Paddy (Patrick)]

Originally Posted by glenluceskies

You pose an intruiging question. I cannot really answer your question but it is odd, isn't it? I dabble in a small amount of imaging, but my main enjoyment comes from being a visual observer. I always have. I stopped sketching long ago and I don't really record any of my observing notes anymore, although I should start that up again. I'm just happy to sit or stand at the telescope and wander from object to object, in my own world and allow my senses to soak up the views. So I guess all my observation results are in my head.

I think that perhaps some observers feel their visual observations are less than adequate when stood up against the proliferation of imaging which has occured in recent years. Or do they feel that their visual observations are boring, or not of any interest to anyone, unless they are attached to some multi-coloured, multi-stacked image?

Perhaps some observers are unable to articulate their visual observing into words, for whatever reason?

Just my thoughts on the topic.

Stephen

Stephen's comments just about cover the totality of my experience. I only do visual observing and tend to just enjoy looking at things. It would probable sharpen my observing if I recorded what I saw, but I've found fiddling with red lights and notepads a bit frustrating. I've at times started doing some sketches, but again find this a little awkward, especially if I'm up 2-3 steps on a ladder. But I know if I mnade the effort I would see a lot more.

[Lismore Bloke (Paul)]

I think Stephen has hit the nail on the head. I posed the question about recording observations here:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=50694

Some of the comments on that thread are very pertinent. The dictaphone idea suggested by Les and Rod, and the improvements that simple device made to the quality of observations relates to the problem. I know my own posts only record simple impressions and I would like to improve them. Sketching is fine if one has the skills, but it makes dark adaptation difficult and slows things down. Making notes and sketches also helps, but I think the dictaphone idea is best.

[pgc hunter]

Probably because most visual observers live in that perpetually cold and cloudy hole known as Melbourne. Rob K has summed it up right. Nothing but clouds and rain for months on end. We need a desert climate, with NO bloody rain and NO bloody clouds FOREVER!!!!!

Doug you need to post your obs reports, I really used to enjoy yours back in the good old days before the International Year of Cloudy Weather. I use a notepad aswell, also I do sketches.

Originally Posted by Lismore Bloke

Sketching is fine if one has the skills, but it makes dark adaptation difficult and slows things down. Making notes and sketches also helps, but I think the dictaphone idea is best.

I do sketches often and I find it helps to see *more*. I keep my red light at its lowest intensity and it's far less bothersome than the light pollution when I take my eye away from the eyepiece.
Visual observation to me is the ultimate relaxation and enjoyment, no dealing with computers, imagers, wires, cables, software etc which all can, and will stuff up at some point. Unfortunately I live in the cloudiest bloody place on Earth so this pleasure is only available once a month on average

[goober (Doug)]

Originally Posted by pgc hunter

Doug you need to post your obs reports, I really used to enjoy yours back in the good old days before the International Year of Cloudy Weather. I use a notepad aswell, sometimes I do sketches.

Thanks Sab... I would but I literally haven't had the scope out in 9 months. The tag line sums up why...

[pgc hunter]

Originally Posted by goober

Thanks Sab... I would but I literally haven't had the scope out in 9 months. The tag line sums up why...

C'mon mate, surely you can go outside even if for only 30 mins to an hour....it's your hobby..everyone needs a time out occasionally! And Melbourne is so cloudy that it would only add up to 30 mins to an hour per month.....!!!!

[goober (Doug)]

By the time I wrestle the little bruiser into bed, I'm literally asleep myself

But you've inspired me... I'll fire up the Apo and get back into it. I do miss it.

[pgc hunter]

Originally Posted by goober

By the time I wrestle the little bruiser into bed, I'm literally asleep myself

But you've inspired me... I'll fire up the Apo and get back into it. I do miss it.

Don't worry buddy, when the bub is out like a light , you can give yourself 30 mins to an hour of "me" time enjoying what you do best - Plus you have the missus to tend to baby Goober when you're out there You know you want to get back in da game, - you've got the Sco-Sag Milkyway in the evening, the Moon, Some nice PNe's i.e. NGC7009 and a few fantastic evening GC's inlcuding M22, M15, M30 and M2

[DavidU (Dave)]

The weather here has been the limiting factor, and also the available time to write up an accurate report. I have not used the 12" dob for months.

[telecasterguru (Frank)]

I think the problem in Sydney is that you can't actually see anything through the trees, blocks of flats and the constant street and building lights.

Frank

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

Its been raining in Tassie for about 4 months

[mozzie (Peter)]

ill try and post more observation sessions i must admite that some of the threads are very very good and interesting and i seem as my posts would only get laughed at does anybody else feel that way
mozzie

[DavidU (Dave)]

Originally Posted by mozzie

ill try and post more observation sessions i must admite that some of the threads are very very good and interesting and i seem as my posts would only get laughed at does anybody else feel that way
mozzie

Yes !

[Lismore Bloke (Paul)]

Hi Mozzie,

I must admit that it took quite a while for me to post any reports, for much the same reasons. I found, however, that the much more experienced visual observers were very welcoming and supportive, however poor and "unscientific" I thought my efforts were. I'm still on a steep learning curve, but I'm not letting that stop me. I think your observations will be very welcome. Cheers, Paul.

[Rodstar (Rod)]

I should get a bit more disciplined and post some observing reports.

I have trouble keeping up with the traffic on this forum, and in particular finding the time to read other's observing notes - let alone posting my own. In that context, I wonder how many would actually read mine if I posted them?! Anyhow, I will start posting some in the coming months, and see what benefit others get from them!??

I have noticed on Cloudy Nights, where there are much more defined categories of threads, that there is always much higher traffic in relation to eyepieces, equipment etc, as opposed to actual observing. I think that a large number of amateurs either deliberately or inadvertently spend more time thinking about, discussing, and planning equipment purchases than actually observing. This is fine....whatever your bliss is.....but actual observing is hard work, it takes discipline, and if astronomy is just a casual hobby there will be very little progress made with improving observing technique or making detailed notes.

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Originally Posted by Rodstar

I have noticed on Cloudy Nights, where there are much more defined categories of threads, that there is always much higher traffic in relation to eyepieces, equipment etc, as opposed to actual observing. I think that a large number of amateurs either deliberately or inadvertently spend more time thinking about, discussing, and planning equipment purchases than actually observing. This is fine....whatever your bliss is.....but actual observing is hard work, it takes discipline, and if astronomy is just a casual hobby there will be very little progress made with improving observing technique or making detailed notes.

Here, here. I agree. The business end is what matters. Now, what to do with this cloud stuff, work commitments, family...

[Blackant (Ant)]

Originally Posted by mozzie

ill try and post more observation sessions i must admite that some of the threads are very very good and interesting and i seem as my posts would only get laughed at does anybody else feel that way
mozzie

Me too! I'm going to give it a go though, as Paul said I've found this community really supportive, and I reckon I'll get a lot more out of my hobby by doing sketches and observation reports. I'm still fairly new to the telescope game so people may have already seen this site but it looks to be a pretty awesome resource for learning how to sketch, and for inspiration http://www.perezmedia.net/beltofvenu...es/000567.html regards, Ant