Sketch of R Leonis

Hello everyone,

I hope this post finds you and those close to you well.

Following on from Aubrey's wonderful reports on 'R Leonis' recently, I decided to try to sketch this colourful star last night. What made the sketch most enjoyable was being able to compare notes with our double star aficionado live. See, earlier in day we agreed to observe it together. Unlike, meeting in-person, we discussed what we were observing at the eyepiece over-the-phone. 

It was great fun, but I'm sure the neighbours thought I'd lost it. I can picture it now: A voice coming from the back garden staring into a big white tube saying 'Yes, I agree it's red...brighter in the middle, but definitely red! What's you take on it? Fabulous, insn't it? 

Regardless of what others made of the going-ons last night, it was great craic. In a way it reminded me of the time several of us were posting live reports on this forum about Venus and M45 just over two years ago. Maybe we could try that again for some future astronomical event...I get a real buzz from that type of thing.

Anyway, other details from last night's sketch include:

Date: 19 April 2022
Location: Dundrum, Dublin 16 (Bortle 7/
Instrument: F/5 250mm Newtonian Reflector on a Dobsonian base.
Magnification: 39X
Seeing: Very good
Transaprency: 5
Materials used: 2B pencil on 80gm2 paper. 
The sketch was inverted. and colourised in GIMP2.0

As always, comments and feedback are very much welcomed.

Clear skeis to all,

Darren.



 

Magnificent sketch, Darren. 
There are so few amateur astronomers worldwide today who would take the time to sketch this marvellous variable M class star R Leonis. 
Over on www.aavso.org I have given an estimate for its current magnitude. 
Darren was extremely helpful as we both chatted over our phones and we both agreed on +8.0 magnitude. 
Let's do again tonight, Darren.
Please phone at about 9.30pm. 
I'm now wondering as to when R Leonis will reach parity with the 6.4 magnitude star 19 Leonis.
I can guarantee R Leonis will be observed by yours truly tonight Wednesday. 

For others who are interested, why not go out and observe this beautiful red star?
Users of binoculars will see the R Leo now. 

Clear skies to everyone, Aubrey. 
P. S. The Orbit magazine has just arrived.    

Hi Aubrey,

Very many thanks for your kind words about my sketch, and it was a great suggestion by your good self. Also, well done on submitting that magnitude estimation to the AAVSO website. You made a good call with the mag 8.0 value.

After last nights' brillaint session, I'm definitely up to observe it again. So, I'll look foward to chatting with you later on.

Clear skies,

Darren.

Let's hope the skies stay clear, Darren!
I'm noticing a warning that we might have some high cloud coming in from the Irish Sea. 
But let's be positive. 

Best regards from Aubrey.