Lunar Sketch number 2 of 12: Heinzel

Dear All,

As you may recall I set-out in January to submit one Lunar sketch each month throughout 2020. The purpose of this exercise is to systematically record any progress I might make over the year. In addition, by making a commitment to sketch the Moon each month, I'm hoping to learn more about our closest celestial neighbour. Not only am I happy to submit my second sketch of the Moon today, but I have spent a couple of hours last night discovering the wonders of Hainzel Crater (41.3° S, 33.5° W).

Up to this point I was unaware of the crater and its environs. With the Moon at a waxing gibbous phase (85%) the terminator was close by. Consequently, there were beautiful shadows cast along Hainzel, Hainzel A, and Hainzel, C. When observing these craters I felt that a 'guitar-like' shape was evident. What struck me most though, was the magnificent array of small craters running west to east under Hainzel A. These features were striking at 200X, and I plan to revisit this area of the Lunar surface again for two reasons: Firstly, to spend more time observing the rather complex formation in and around Hainzel Crater, and secondly I'd like to give Mee Crater another go. I found the intricate details within Mee Crater extremely difficult to illustrate, particularly given I used charcoal. I think next time I'll use pencils, or pastel pencils because I feel being able to sharpen the tip will help bring out some of the finer details.

In terms of the other details from last night's session they are as follows:


Date: 04/02/2020
Time: 21:24 UT
Location: Dublin Ireland (Bortle
Weather: 3°C, with a slight breeze
Seeing: 7PK
Transparency: 4
Instrument: Orion XT6 (150mm Newtonian Reflector on a Dobsonain base)
Eyepiece: 6mm Orion Expanse Eyepiece
AFOV: 66°
TFOV: 0.33

Materials used: Charcoals, black paper, and clipboard.

As always thank you for taking the time to read the above and I welcome your comments, critique, and guidance.

Clear skies to all,

Darren.

I think that's excellent. At this rate of progress, you'll be matching Chesley Bonestell by the end of the year!

Finbarr.

Hi Finbarr, 

Very many thanks for your kinds words. I had to look up who Chesley Bonestell was. His images are magnificent, and certainly provides me with some nice inspiration to illustrate the night sky. I'd be happy to have a fraction of that man's talent after a lifetime of sketching.

Whether my ability to sketch the lunar surface improves one thing is sure: by trying to sketch the Moon each month my observational skills are improving. By focusing / concentrating on one particular area for a prolonged period one really does see more. Paul did a really good job of articulating the point I'm trying to make quite recently when he described by observing how the shadows change over time it provides us with an great sense of what the craters would like from the lunar surface. I certainly experienced that feeling last night. It seemed that the longer I spent looking at Hainzel the more it revealed itself to me. In a way sketching is helping me to slow down quite a bit when I'm at the eyepiece, and for that I'm grateful. 

Thanks again, and clear skies to you, 

Darren. 

Until_then-Goodnight! wrote: It seemed that the longer I spent looking at Hainzel the more it revealed itself to me. In a way sketching is helping me to slow down quite a bit when I'm at the eyepiece, and for that I'm grateful.

That's a very good point Darren. After successfully tracking down one object, it's tempting to just move onto the next target on the bucket list. But the longer one spends at the eyepiece the more detail becomes apparent, not just with the Moon as you know, but deep-sky clusters and nebulae. What may seem a faint wisp of light at first can reveal subtle details as you lock onto the object with deep focus and concentration. It's amazing what skilled observers can achieve with relatively modest equipment.

Clear skies,
Finbarr.

I have observed the Hainzel complex crater at some stage in the past, Darren.
I have also seen Hainzel A and C too.
As to when I do not know.
Paul Hainzel was German astronomer who co-operated with the great Tycho Brahe.
He lived from 1527 to 1581. Both men lived before the age of the telescope.

But your sublime sketch will encourage those of us who love to do lunar observing at some stage in the future.

Please keep up the good work with your sketches, Darren.
I'm already looking forward to your next one.

Mee I have never seen.

Clear skies (after Storm Ciara)

Aubrey.

I have found out as to when I first observed Hainzel, Hainzel A and C, Darren.
19th July 2013 was the date.
112X was the magnification I used with my William Optics refractor.
I was at the Martello Tower in Sandymount.
I also observed Saturn and Rho Ophuichi on the same night.

Baton down the hatches: Storm Ciara has arrived.

Kind regards,

Aubrey.