Observation archive
A running record of how we learn the night sky
These notes capture real sessions across changing seasons and sky conditions. Each entry highlights what was visible, what helped beginners orient faster, and what to look for next time.
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Waxing Moon terminator sketch — Mare Serenitatis edge detail
We compared low and medium magnification to trace crater shadow changes along the terminator and practiced using cardinal orientation in the eyepiece.
- Season: Early autumn
- Sky: Thin haze
- Theme: Lunar features
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Perseid follow-up — counting method for short meteor bursts
Members tested 15-minute count intervals and shared how reclining position, dark adaptation, and horizon choice affected individual meteor totals.
- Season: Mid-summer
- Sky: Mostly clear
- Theme: Meteor observing
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Jupiter and Galilean moons — timing moon position shifts
By sketching moon positions at set intervals, beginners could see orbital change within a single session and learned a repeatable logging format.
- Season: Late winter
- Sky: Steady seeing
- Theme: Planet tracking
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Orion to Canis Major hop — beginner route using naked-eye anchors
We practiced a step-by-step hop from Betelgeuse to Sirius, then compared how binocular framing improved confidence in constellation boundaries.
- Season: Winter
- Sky: Urban suburban mix
- Theme: Star-hopping
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Pleiades visibility check — adapting to brightness and light pollution
The group compared direct and averted vision techniques and noted when humidity softened contrast, helping newcomers choose realistic targets for similar nights.
- Season: Early spring
- Sky: Moderate light pollution
- Theme: Open clusters