10 replies to this topic

[fullthrottle_man]

At some point in the near future, I plan on becoming a member of the Astronomical League and getting started on various observation sets. I know I'll need to keep a log for all the observations to qualify for the various certificates. I'm not a big computer guy, but I can hold my own for the most part with simpler tasks and setups. And I love to learn, so learning what I'd need to know for different tasks isn't out of the question, either.
My conundrum is as follows... I've been trying to find a standalone program or app that I can use for observation logs. I don't want any of the other programs that have logs built in (i.e. SkySafari Pro, etc). I want standalone. Searchable would be really handy also (search by date, target name, scope used, etc). And most importantly, I primarily do EAA, so I would need it to be able to attach pictures (fits, jpeg, ??) to the individual log entries.
I have yet to find anything at all that is a standalone program or app after hours of searching and reading through countless threads, both here and across the web.
Have any of you seen something like this in your travels or come across something similar to what I'm looking for?

[SoCalPaul]

Although not exclusively a logging app, I use SkyTools 4 for this purpose. And BTW, I too am pursuing AL observing certificates.

 

ST4 is first and foremost a planning tool for observing sessions and programs. However, you are able to select individual objects and create log entries. There are also features to log other aspects of observing sessions.

 

Because the primary function is planning with advanced capabilities, it's not simple. Given what you wrote above, not sure you'll like it but check it out, I could be wrong.

 

https://skyhound.com/index.html

 

Phone dictation into the basic Notes app on my Galaxy phone has become my preferred way of capturing thoughts, notes and log entries. I then email the file to myself and copy paste into ST4. It requires 1) parsing the Notes file into individual objects, and 2) correcting/improving the entries. I make lots of false starts, then restate myself.

 

Clear skies,

Paul

[BrentKnight]

I agree with Paul.  SkyTools is very likely the best logging program out there.  It takes a little learning to get the most out of it, but it is worth the investment.  Greg is working on SkyTools Visual 4.1 which will include much new functionality specifically for EAA.

 

I have done all my AL projects using ST - honestly I can't imagine doing these without something like this to organize observations.

 

 

My Open Cluster project in ST4 Visual (3 more clusters to go):

 

[Michael Morris]

I use Astroplanner. 

 

https://www.astroplanner.net/

 

It cost just $45 as a one-off cost. You can upload images and associate them with your observations.  If you control your mount with a computer, you can even pick a target and it will slew straight to it. 

I'll eat my knees with a side order of humble pie if you can't just download the relevant observing lists straight into it (for free).  

[GrassLakeRon]

I use deepsky 2000. It's free. It integrates with cartes. I have been using now for 25+ years.

 

https://www.mikehotk...m/DAS/index.htm

Edited by GrassLakeRon, 19 February 2025 - 07:31 AM.

[fullthrottle_man]

Thank you, all, for your responses! It gave me a few things to research and try out. I think for my needs/wants and setup I'm probably going to go with AstroPlanner. I downloaded the app for my laptop and tried it out. Seems to be fairly intuitive, doesn't look like a very steep learning curve, and has all the things I want (searchable, image attaching, etc). And compared to some of the others, $45 isn't a bad deal. Thanks again, all!

[fullthrottle_man]

I tried out Astro Planner and didn't like the way the observation log report worked. So last night I made a list of different programs and went through them one by one. The only one left standing was SkyTools 4. I couldn't try that one out at all (you have to buy it to try it), but the rest of the list I had were a no-go. Therefore, last man standing is the winner I guess, here. Lol

[GrassLakeRon]

Did you try deepsky 2000? I also put together an observation spreadsheet, which you might think about

[fullthrottle_man]

Did you try deepsky 2000? I also put together an observation spreadsheet, which you might think about

I ignored that one for a couple reasons. 1st -- the website hasn't been updated or anything since 2017 according to the dates at the bottom of the pages. And 2nd -- it's not a program/app and there's no download section or anything.

[BrentKnight]

I tried out Astro Planner and didn't like the way the observation log report worked. So last night I made a list of different programs and went through them one by one. The only one left standing was SkyTools 4. I couldn't try that one out at all (you have to buy it to try it), but the rest of the list I had were a no-go. Therefore, last man standing is the winner I guess, here. Lol

SkyTools has a Discord channel and Greg is very responsive to questions.  Folks here can help as well.

[GrassLakeRon]

I ignored that one for a couple reasons. 1st -- the website hasn't been updated or anything since 2017 according to the dates at the bottom of the pages. And 2nd -- it's not a program/app and there's no download section or anything.

You can download it from their website. The readme file as the passwords to install. I have also a spreadsheet to use for observation work. You could set one up for your needs. Just a thought.

https://www.mikehotk...terdownload.htm

Edited by GrassLakeRon, 22 February 2025 - 11:12 AM.