"It is not easy for language to convey a full impression of the beauty and sublimity of the spectacle which a nebula offers, as it enters the field of the telescope (fixed in R.A.) by the diurnal motion, ushered in as it is by so glorious and innumerable a procession of stars, to which it forms a climax."

Sir John Herschel

Sir John Herschel—one of the greatest observers of all time—wrote in his notes that language cannot adequately describe the impression one gets when viewing an object through a telescope. For the most part, I agree and sometimes find it difficult to describe the grandeur and beauty of the view in the eyepiece with mere words.

Contained herein is my observation log, a collection of words that try to describe the exhilaration and excitement, and sometimes disappointment that I feel under the stars looking through a telescope or a pair of binoculars. Perhaps my descriptions or impressions differ from yours. Perhaps they are nearly identical. Either way, these words are mine to share with the hope that possibly they may inspire an individual to write that first entry into their observation log, thus continuing the legacy of Herschel, Messier, and others who have shared their observations—while under the stars.

Observation Log Statistics

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Where would the world be without statistics? The system compiles the following statistics from the observation database for those--like me--who want that statistical overview of the world. The graph to the right indicates the percentage of observed objects in the database (area in green).

• Objects in database: 2206
• Objects observed: 1219
• Sketches made: 285
• Deep-sky objects observed: 1086
• Observations: 2127
• Observing sessions: 136

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