Observing Log
The comprehensive observing log feature is fully integrated with all object reports. You can click on any object in a report and show details of past observations of the object, or add new observations to the log. The observing plam, deep-sky, star, comet and asteroid search reports permit searching for observed and unobserved objects.
Deep-Sky Planner 9 offers extraordinary data exchange capability for the observing log:
- Observing Log reports may be printed and saved to PDF, plain text, delimited text or HTML format.
- Equipment lists may be printed, imported and exported in native Deep-Sky Planner format, and exported in delimited text, MS Excel or HTML format.
- Observing Log entries may be printed, imported and exported in native Deep-Sky Planner format. They can also be exported in delimited text, MS Excel or HTML format.
- Observing Log entries can also be imported and exported in OpenAstronomyLog 2.1 format. OpenAstronomyLog is a non-proprietary international standard for exchanging astronomical observations. Knightware participated in developing this standard in 2009. Read about OAL here.
About the Observing Log
- observing log entries include name of observer, name of object, date & time of observation (local or universal), observing location, sky and weather conditions, equipment (instrument, eyepiece, optical filter, barlow/tele-compressor, camera, location method), rating, optional images, optional videos or audio clips, and observation notes. Add, delete, edit, and view all data in the observing log.
- supported image file formats include; JPEG, FITS, PNG, BMP, TIFF and some camera raw formats like Canon and Nikon.
- Observation Browser shows essential catalog data for any observing log entry for an object that appears in the database. See a video demonstration below.
- search the observing log by object name, observer, equipment, date and time of observation, observing location, sky and weather conditions, rating, whether an images are attached, and whether media (video or audio clips) are attached
- specify multiple sort options (and directions) for a report
- observing log search results may be printed or saved as PDF, formatted text, HTML or delimited text (CSV)
- magnification and true field are calculated for visual observations
- field of view and image scale are calculated for imaging observations
- altitude and extinction information are calculated and shown for cataloged objects
- unsurpassed flexibility in reporting using XSLT stylesheets with the View or Print features in the Observation Browser. Use Knightware's stylesheets or create and use your own.
Video
The following video demonstrates several features of the Observation Browser in Deep-Sky Planner 9.
- sky and weather conditions data
- acquiring a Sky Quality Meter reading electronically and inserting it into an observation
- add / view an image attached to the observation
Observing Log Project Manager
The Observing Project Manager helps organize your visual and imaging observations. The Observing Project Manager allows you to manage Observing Log entries much like the Windows Explorer allows you to manage your files by supporting drag & drop, copy & paste, etc.
- visually organize your observing log entries into projects
- share an observation among one or more projects
- delete projects without disturbing observations
- import and export selected observations to files
Organize and View Observations using the Observing Log Project Manager