Observing Forms and Templates

Belt of Venus Observation Record Sheets

Note: although the sample images of filled-out record sheets below have my name printed on some of them, my name is not printed at the top of the pdf files.

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General Astronomy/DSO Record Sheet

(Click thumbnail above for DSO Record sample)

US Letter Size
Astro Record Sheet
Astro Record Sheet - Left handed version

A4 Size
Astro Record Sheet
Astro Record Sheet - Left handed version

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Lunar Record Sheet

(Click thumbnail above for Lunar Record sample)

US Letter Size
Lunar Record Sheet
Lunar Record Sheet - Left handed version

A4 Size
Lunar Record Sheet
Lunar Record Sheet - Left handed version

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Solar Record Sheet

(Click thumbnail above for Solar Record sample)

US Letter Size
Solar Record Sheet

A4 Size
Solar Record Sheet

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Double Star Record Sheet

(Click thumbnail above for Double Star Record sample)

US Letter Size
Double Star Record Sheet
Double Star Record Sheet - Left handed version

A4 Size
Double Star Record Sheet
Double Star Record Sheet - Left handed version

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Naked Eye Record Sheet

(Click thumbnail above for Naked Eye Record sample)

US Letter Size
Naked Eye Record Sheet
Naked Eye Record Sheet - Left handed version

A4 Size
Naked Eye Record Sheet
Naked Eye Record Sheet - Left handed version

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Condensed Observation Record Sheet

(Click thumbnail above for Condensed Observation Record sample)

US Letter Size
Condensed Observation Record Sheet
Condensed Observation Record Sheet - Left handed version

A4 Size
Condensed Observation Record Sheet
Condensed Observation Record Sheet - Left handed version

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Binocular Messier Record Sheet

(Click thumbnail above for Observation Record sample)

(Although the sample image is titled "Astronomical League Binocular Messier Club", the downloadable PDFs are simply titled "Binocular Messier Record Sheet".)

US Letter Size
Binocular Messier Record Sheet

A4 Size
Binocular Messier Record Sheet

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Jupiter Observing Templates

Observing Form:

Sketch Templates:
The following graphics can be added to your own observing form, or printed by themselves. The TIF files will import and print most reliably at the correct scale. If you need to use the JPG images instead, be aware that they may import or print at an exaggerated size: if so, you may need to scale them down quite a bit.

There are 4 versions of each template image:

• Black background plain: TIF | JPG
  
• Black background with guides: TIF | JPG
  
• White background plain: TIF | JPG
  
• White background with guides: TIF | JPG
  

Note that the guides are intended to help with placement of belt features. The bolder lines should help with basic placement of the equatorial belts. The finer lines do not denote precise placement of other features and are simply to help guide your ruler or straight edge. Of course, you should adjust the position of any features based on what you observe and not assume that the guides will consistently match the state of Jupiter's dynamic atmosphere.

Sol Robbins Jupiter Template

This template contains light shading to help with positioning of the equatorial belts.

(Click thumbnail above for full resolution JPG template)
Template provided courtesy of Sol Robbins.

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Saturn Observing Templates

Provided by Sol Robbins

16 Degree Tilt

14 Degree Tilt

10 Degree Tilt

(Click thumbnails above for full resolution JPG templates)

Note: Since the aspect of Saturn's rings is constantly changing, be sure to use the template that best matches their current position.
Templates provided courtesy of Sol Robbins.

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Observation Record Sheets and Sketch Templates from Across the Web

Following are several excellent observation record sheets from other amateur astronomers that I hope you find useful.

IceInSpace Observing Log
By Mike Salway
(Click the "Observing_Log_Template.pdf" link once you reach the site linked above.)

Saguaro Astronomy Club Observation Sheets
Three observation form templates are available at the top of the SAC Downloads page.

AAAA Observation Log and Sketch Templates
Observing Forms from the American Association of Amateur Astronomers

AstronomyLogs.com
Extremely diverse collection of free observing forms. Some with sketch areas, some without. The site also features observing program log booklets in PDF and Word format as well as a great set of reference sheets that cover information from Trumpler classification to the Pickering scale, to a Hertzsprung Russell Diagram and more. Be sure to browse every page at this site!

Logbooks for AL Observing Clubs
Printable observing forms for several Astronomical League observing clubs.

Lunar Observing Forms
Open view and eyepiece view forms by Erika Rix.

NEW JAN 25, 2010 - Deep Sky Observing Form by Jay
Astronomical observing form in PDF and editable MS Word format

Saturn Templates by Chris Lord
Collection of PDF Saturn diagrams from 1 - 28 degrees in 1-degree increments.

Sketch Template by Winston
Template is designed with space for 15 sketches per sheet.

Lexikon der Astronomie - Schablonen für Planten und Sternatlanten
German site by Hans-Peter Jäger. The downloads page contains excellent planetary observing forms labeled in German. See especially the Saturn form.

NEW JULY 2, 2012 - Rod Nabholz Observation Log and Sketching Forms
PDF observation/sketch templates, including a solar form.