Lunar sketch 25th April 2021

Hi All, 

I hope you're keeping well. I've had a bit a of mad week, so this is the first real chance I've had to upload this sketch, and catch-up with what's being going on with my astronomer buddies.

Taking advantage of the clear sky last Sunday, I observed the Moon from approximately 23:30Ut - 00:20UT. The sketch was done from a photo I took on the night because I just wanted to sit at the eyepiece and stare into the universe - it was one of those weeks!

Anyway, I set-up my scope (f/5 250mm Newtonian Reflector on a Dobsonian Base) from 23:30UT in my back garden. It took me a while to figure out what craters I observed. Thankfully, through a combination of Internet searching, Virtual Moon Maps, and Rukl's Atlas, I believe the main craters are Hedin; Riccioli, and Olbers.

At the start of the sketch Hedin was covered in darkness. However, I watched it fill with light over the course of an hour or so. I was mesmerized to see it reveal itself. It was flanked by Olbers, and Riccioli. Both Riccioli and Grimaldi provided a very nice contrast to the bright Moon last Sunday. And speaking of contrast, there was one lunar feature that caught my eye: Reiner Gamma. This Lunar swirl is said to look like a kite, or tadpole, and one I'll surely revisit again.

For the sketch I used a combination of charcoal, pastel pencils, and a B pencil. I adjusted the contrast of image using my phone too.

Thanks for reading, and as always all comments are welcomed.

Clear skies,

Darren.

 

Hello, Darren.

Thank you for doing a great sketch of the lunar crater Hedin. 
I'm sorry to say I have never observed it at all over the years. 
Or Olbers for that matter.
Riccioli and Reiner Gamma I have seen but that was probably many "moons" ago. Pun intended. 

In Rukl's Atlas it says Sven Hedin was a Swedish explorer and traveller. 

So I wonder if that's where the question came from: Where are you headin'? 
Yes - I do know that's a sick joke!

But I would still like to congratulate you for waiting for one hour to see the whole crater Hedin fully illuminated. 
Great job!

Clear skies from Aubrey. 

 

Good evening Aubrey,

I hope all is well.

Those jokes did bring a smile to my face - nice one!

I wonder how many clear nights we'll get this week? Met Eireann are forecasting that Tuesday and Thursday might be clear - here's hoping.

All the best,

Darren.


 

Great sketch again Darren. I have zero artistic talent myself so always a pleasure to see what others can do.

Clear skies,
Finbarr.

Hi Finbarr,

Very many thanks for your kind words. One does not need 'talent' to create art. Of course there are many many people who will do better than me when sketching the night sky. However, I once read that there are no rules to art, and I've embraced that idea since I started out. What I try to do is reproduce what I see at the eyepiece. Not only does it help me focus on what I'm looking at, but it is also nice way for me to share my experience on this forum, and sketching one on Cloudy Nights. If I waited until I thought I could draw, I probably would have never started down the road of astronomical sketching. I must give you a look at my first drawing....it was meant to be Mars, but looks more like a Heinz Spaghetti Hoop  . 

Clear skies to you, 

Darren. 

Impressive philosophy Darren. Whatever about talent, I think you do need dedication though and I fear I may be lacking in that department also