Observation Notebook

The observation notebook will be an important part of your education in astronomy and also an important part of your grade in astronomy.  The purpose of the notebook is to help motivate you to get out and look up at the sky.  Many of the things we will be studying are not visible during the day and the only way for you to observe these phenomena is to go and see for yourself on your own time.

From the teacher’s standpoint the notebook is “proof” that you did indeed make these observations.  So it is important that this be extremely neat and well organized.  In order to receive full credit the notebook must be kept exactly as described below.

This assignment will be worth one hundred points.  Your grade will be determined by the number of assigned observations that you complete and by how well you follow the guidelines below.

Notebook Requirements

1. The notebook is to be a single subject spiral notebook at least 5 inches by 7 inches.

2. Only one assigned observation will be placed on each page.  You may use the front and back of each sheet in the notebook if you wish.

3. Each assigned observation will have a number.  The observations must be in order by these numbers in your notebook.  Put this number in the upper corner of the page.

4. Label each observation assignment at the top of the page with an appropriate title.

5. The observations will not necessarily be in order by date.  Make the assigned observations whenever you have the time and the opportunity and the weather permits.  So just write down each assignment in order and then make the observation at the most convenient opportunity.

6. Record your observation below the title and use the following format:
      (You must do each of the following for each observation.)

× Date of the observation

× Time of the observation (note AM or PM and EST or EDT)

× Location from which you made this observation

× Description and/or sketch – It is important to make this worthwhile.  Be as specific as possible paying special attention to details such as color, orientation, approximate altazimuth position, weather conditions, and also significant surroundings.

× Notes, comments and/or questions – Here you should place your thoughts about the observation such as thoughts you had, questions to ask in class, or ideas for future follow up observations that you might want to make on your own.