Small observations of planets, stars, and the changing night.
Mars does not look the same every night. Its apparent brightness changes as the distance between our planets changes. Near the horizon, the atmosphere adds its own colour and makes comparisons harder.
For a fairer look, wait until a planet is higher in the sky and compare it with nearby stars. Write down what you see before checking a photograph.
A few minutes outside rarely show everything the night has to offer. As your eyes adjust, faint stars emerge between the brighter patterns. A bright phone screen can interrupt that adjustment.
A simple paper chart, warm clothes, and an unhurried half-hour often help more than another piece of equipment.
Record the date, approximate time, weather, and direction you were looking. Sketches do not need to be precise to become useful when you compare them a month later.
For observing ideas, visit the NASA skywatching collection.