<p>There are several observational astronomy tasks that have traditionally had active amateur participation.  The important things to note will vary depending on the task, but will include the precise time, the precise geographic location you are observing from, and the celestial coordinates (Right Ascension and Declination) of what you are looking at.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.aavso.org/get-involved" rel="nofollow noreferrer">The American Association of Variable Star Observers</a> collects amateur observations of variable star brightness.</p>
<p>Amateur observations of <a href="https://www.asteroidoccultation.com/observations/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">minor planet occultations</a> have helped provide detailed information about the shapes and precise orbits of minor planets, including helping to guide the New Horizons probe.</p>
<p>Amateurs have provided valuable information about transient phenomenon in the solar system, such as <a href="https://www.space.com/meteorite-hits-moon-during-2019-lunar-eclipse.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">impacts on the moon</a> or Jupiter.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.imo.net/observations/methods/visual-observation/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">The International Meteor Organization</a> supplies a guide for observing meteor showers.</p>
<p>And of course, amateur observers have discovered many comets, although they are increasingly scooped by automated whole-sky searches.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-06-16T23:32:45.607Z
2022-06-16T23:38:44.303Z
2022-06-16T23:38:44.303Z
antlersoft
<p>Which aspects or factors do I take into consideration while I record observations on any celestial object?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-06-16T14:43:04.347Z
For what purpose?
MCG
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-06-16T15:20:46.170Z
As an amateur astronomer and also from a professional astronomer's perspective
Dhruv Nayak
<observational-astronomy><amateur-observing><deep-sky-observing><newtonian-telescope>
Is there any specific way to record observations on any celestial object while looking through a telescope?
Dhruv Nayak
# Is there any specific way to record observations on any celestial object while looking through a telescope?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-06-16)

Which aspects or factors do I take into consideration while I record observations on any celestial object?

**Tags:** observational-astronomy, amateur-observing, deep-sky-observing, newtonian-telescope

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: For what purpose?  
> **username_0**: As an amateur astronomer and also from a professional astronomer's perspective  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2022-06-16. Score: 3

There are several observational astronomy tasks that have traditionally had active amateur participation. The important things to note will vary depending on the task, but will include the precise time, the precise geographic location you are observing from, and the celestial coordinates (Right Ascension and Declination) of what you are looking at.

[The American Association of Variable Star Observers](https://www.aavso.org/get-involved) collects amateur observations of variable star brightness.

Amateur observations of [minor planet occultations](https://www.asteroidoccultation.com/observations/) have helped provide detailed information about the shapes and precise orbits of minor planets, including helping to guide the New Horizons probe.

Amateurs have provided valuable information about transient phenomenon in the solar system, such as [impacts on the moon](https://www.space.com/meteorite-hits-moon-during-2019-lunar-eclipse.html) or Jupiter.

[The International Meteor Organization](https://www.imo.net/observations/methods/visual-observation/) supplies a guide for observing meteor showers.

And of course, amateur observers have discovered many comets, although they are increasingly scooped by automated whole-sky searches.


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