Some Deep Sky Sketches

Hi all

Taking advantage of the recent good weather to get in some sketching I managed to get them onto the computer today. They were taken over a couple of days and are in no particular order.

I hope you enjoy them.

NGC 2603



This is a fine edge on galaxy, my chart puts it in Lynx, I've seen it listed in Ursa Major, I've decided on Lynx, Ursa Major has enough already.

M65 & M66



Well observed pair.

M3



A magnificent globular, there were so many more stars to be seen that I was finding myself getting lost

M106



Another classic edge on galaxy. The sketch is bigger than it appears in the eyepiece, but not by much as I wanted to show it as best I could.

M63



The Sunflower Galaxy is a wonderful sight, I was able to make out some indications of the arms, though they were difficult to see. The central nucleus was very prominent.

I got some more sketches down, but these were the best of them, many of the others being elliptical galaxys and all the details they reveal.

Thanks for taking the time.

Paul

Lovely Sketches Paul,

Michael.

Excellent work, Paul.

Every time I've gone out recently the transparency has been just awful. I'd blame the volcano, but at least the first two nights were before it went off.

-- Jeff.

I know what you mean Jeff, at the IAS/SDAS observing session on Friday it was obvious to see that the sky just wasn't as clear as it should be. M44, which should have been obvious to the naked eye, couldn't be made out and even the brighter stars seemed muted.

By the looks of the reports we're in for much more of this:(

Paul

Lovely sketch all the same.
Donal