Herschel 400 Steve O'Meara's Guide

 Back in 2009-2011/12 I worked on and completed the Herschel 400, after which I did the Herschel 400 II and then the complete Herschel 2500.  Here is a copy of my 1st observations logs.  

This holds all my observations for my two Messier Observations, the first with my old XT8 dob and the second with my XT10. The H400 were done with my XT10, my XX14i.  The H400 II were done with the XX14i and then my 14" dob and I finished with the 17.5.  I then did the remaining H2500 in either the 14" i.e. about 30% and the other 70% in the 17.5" dob. The binder is about 6 inches in height. I actually have 3 of these binders filled. 

At first I wrote my observations as I did them, writing them down.  I then moved  to a 3x5  card that has the info I record on my observation sheet. See below. I then used a digital recorder to record my observation. I'm going back to that again as there are no lights on the recorder.  Then I record my observation's on a Google Sheet after loading them into SkyTools. If I sketch I add that now into my Sky Tools. 

So now besides going after Hickson Groups, and Abell Planetaries, I've decided to redo the H400 in my 17.5" dob. I'm going to use Steve O'Meara's list by month from his H400 Book.  As part of this as I'm recovering from my broken arm, I've began to make a Google Doc that has the STScI Image, inverted with north down, I've also added Steve Gottlieb's notes on these items from his 17,5 dob he used. I want to compare my observations to his. I'm done with April and you can view it HERE.  If you wish your own copy you can make a copy of it. Here is what Week 1 Day 1 looks like. There are 43 pages on this list. I am starting to work on May now and hope I can get it done this week.