Skip to content

Observation Logs

During observations, it’s important to keep track of what you observe and the images you capture. This makes your later data analysis easier and it also makes it possible for others who may use your data in the future.

To make this process streamlined and uniform across all observations, you are required to fill out an Observing Spreadsheet during each observation.

1. Make a copy of this master spreadsheet

2. Use the spreadsheet as instructed below while making your observations

3. Email the spreadsheet to your Observatory Guide(s) and copy Dr. Scott (jescott@towson.edu)

 

Guide for Observing Spreadsheet

Summary Tab: This page contains a summary of everything done that night.

  • Date: What date did you begin observing (in the case that observations roll over into the next day). Make a new spreadsheet every night you observe.
  • Observer Names(s): In a comma separated list, list each observer present during that observation.
  • Target Type: What type of object did you observe? Asteroid, Variable star, Exoplanet?
  • Target Name(s): Which specific target(s) did you look at? Follow the naming conventions given by the target table.
  • No. of Images: How many images did you take in total?
  • Indicate if you are performing Imaging or Spectroscopy
  • Filters/Gratings Used: Which filters/gratings did you use throughout the night?
  • Time start: What time did you start observing?
  • Time end: What time did you end observing?

Log Tab: This is where you list each specific image you took, and their properties. You will change how you fill each of these columns out depending on what type of picture you’re taking. Object, Dark, Flat, or Zero

  • Exposure #: What image number is this? Starts at 1 and increments up until you stop taking pictures
  • Exposure Type: What type of picture is this? Zero, Dark, Flat, or Object?
  • File Name: We follow a strict naming convention to keep observations organized. These names depend on the file type and the object being observed.
    • Zero: zero_[current number of zero images]
      • ex: zero_001, zero_002
    • Dark: dark_[exposure time in seconds]_[current number of dark images]
      • ex: dark_80_001, dark_2_002
    • Flat: flat[filter]_[exposure time in seconds]_[current number of flat images in that filter]
      • ex: flatR_20_002, flatG_40_001
    • Object: [target type]_[target name]_[filter]_[exposure time in seconds]_[current number of object images]
      • For target type:
        • exo: Exoplanet
        • ast: Asteroid
        • var: Variable star
        • pla: Planet
        • neb: Nebula
        • star: Star
        • gal: Galaxy
        • If you are observing an object not mentioned here, ask you Observing Guide for help.
      • For target name, use the file name convention given by the target table.
      • ex: exo_TOI1600_R_100_001,  ast_vesta_G_60_002
    • NOTE!! If your exposure time is less than a second (ex: 0.5 seconds), write zero and then all numbers after the decimal point.
      • 0.5 seconds -> 05
      • 0.01 seconds -> 001
      • 0.12 seconds -> 012
  • Exposure Time: How long is the exposure in seconds?
    • Zero: Should be 0
  • Filter/Grating: What filter/grating was used for the image/spectrum?
    • Zero: No filter should be given
    • Flat: Only use filters used in data/object frames as well
  • RA  & Dec: The RA & Dec of the telescope
    • This column is only important for object frames. It can be left blank for calibration frames.
    • Format for RA should be hours:minutes:seconds of time (0-24hours)
    • Format for Dec should be + or – (i.e. N or S of celestial equator), followed by degrees:arcmin:arcsec
Skip to toolbar