Lunar Sketch 6 of 12: Clavius

Hi All,

I think we'd all agree that last month was a pretty bad month for observing. I only managed a couple of observational sessions. One of those took place on the 1st of the month. It was a warm and calm evening. I estimated the transparency between 4 - 5, but the seeing was less good, maybe 5.

I attempted to sketch the crater 'Clavius' [58.4°S, 14.4°W]. Using a 6mm expanse eyepiece, which has a 66° AFOV, I observed Clavius at 200X. There were times when I added a Shorty 1.25" 2X Barlow Lens, but it was a challenge to keep up with a moving target.

What is more, I found this crater particularly difficult to sketch because of the number of features in and around the main crater. Consequently, I never managed to finish it. So, what I have submitted is 'work in progress'. I would like to revisit it again though.

Other details from that evening include:

Location: Dundrum - Bortle 8
Seeing: 5pk
Transparency: 4- 5
Instrument used: f/8 150mm Newtonian Reflector
Eyepiece: 6mm Expanse (66° AFOV)
Materials used: 2B pencil, a kneaded eraser, an eraser shield. The image was sketched at the eyepiece, and cropped and resized using GIMP 2.0. The sketch was scanned, and uploaded to my PC.

As always many thanks for taking the time to read the above, and your comments and feedback are always welcomed.


Clear skies to all,

Darren.

" I found this crater particularly difficult to sketch "....... nevertheless....an image way beyond my capabilities so I view in awe of what can be done by hand. Fantastic!

We all love Clavius, Darren!
And we all love your sketches.
The circlet of its inner craters always inspires us to check out many other lunar features in the surrounding area.
I am very pleased you included Rutherford and Porter.
Whenever I see Rutherford I always think of Margaret - even though she has nothing to do with the crater! Ha Ha!

Clear skies from Aubrey.

I don't think I've seen the Moon during this lunation! Was surprised to find out it's full tomorrow night...

Finbarr.

Very many thanks Brendan, Aubrey, and Finbarr for your messages and kind words, they're much appreciated. Also, many thanks Michael and Paul for your 
'thank you' messages. 

Interesting that you mentioned the inner craters Aubrey because I feel they need to be resized. Some of them are not in correct proportion. Hence, why I'm keen to try again. 

Who knows when that'll be! 

All the best, 

Darren.