Mike JW

Hi Alan, Thanks for the heads up on these SN and the location sketches. I always forget to keep an eye on the online SN info. They should all be doable with my EAA set up. Mike

Always envious of you folk who live further south and thus can go for these more southerly DSO. Mind blowing to think you have picked a galaxy that is 1 billion lyrs away. In addition to my Arp programme (several in Eridanus to grab above the tree tops) I have started on the list of distant galaxies in the IC and NGC catalogues, they are 1 billion or more lyrs away. They do not make for great images but I love the idea of capturing photons that have travelled so far. Mike

It is Comet C/2017 T2 (Panstarrs). Here is a link I use https://theskylive.com/comets

Nice one Geoff to have captured the comet and NGC 1528. Mike

This is yet another fascinating galactic mess and nicely captured. Makes me wonder if planets with life on them could exist in such a turbulent muddle. As your info regarding distance indicates, this pairing must be one of the closer Arps. Both classed as having bars - can see that in NGC 1253 but not so sure about the smaller one. A couple of star forming cluster easily visible on the left of the NGC 1253 in your shot and possibly a few more picked in my image. Mike

Thanks Elpajare. Much appreciate your extra information in replies as well as in your postings. Mike

Last night I planned to revisit Arp 121 to capture the "wind effect" as described by Dr Arp. The interacting galaxy pair are about 230 million lyrs away (or more). The circular galaxy PGC 3553, (the uppermost galaxy) is classified as SO (lenticular) and does not appear to be affected by the interactions. Does this suggest it is considerably more massive than its partner (PGC 3547) which has been well and truly churned up by the gravitational interactions, hence classified as Sa peculiar. Arp grouped this pairing in Elliptical and elliptical like galaxies, close to and perturbing spirals. Equally this pair could be classed in his "wind effect group". Mike

Hi Martin, I managed to grab an hour clear skies last night before the moon rose and the inevitable cloud rolled in. I took the chance to look at two or your targets, NGC 970 and 978. I have not cleaned up the images. NGC 970 - is it a true interacting pair or a line of site? It does look as if they are interacting (NED has very little info about it) NGC 978

Hi folks, As you know I was not happy with my Maurolycus sketch - too stark. So I have redone it using colouring pencils, white and silver gel pens on black paper. I also decided to reduce the area drawn. Much happier - less stark, more 3D and nice to mindlessly colour large areas even if its different shades of grey. This technique/pencils would seem to work well where there is much lunar blackness. Comments welcome - always something to learn. Mike

Hi Danny, Just go for it. Don't worry about what it looks like. The act of drawing, forces one to look more closely and then you see more, which improves the observational skills. In time your drawing will get better but even if it doesn't improving the observational skills is definitely worth it. Look forward to your first posting - do something simple - a single crater (try to make it look 3D). Thanks for your comments. Mike

Hi Rob, I love edge on galaxies, not only through big dobs but via EAA - nice capture. Mike

Hi All, Last night the crater Marius and the nearby volcanic domes was lit perfectly as were the associated wrinkle ridges. There are at least a dozen domes that I counted and satellite images show numerous domes and pits. This is the highest concentration of lunar domes, varying from about 200m to 500m in height. The small domes are steep sided and larger ones are irregular (I think I spotted one of these close to crater Marius). The whole area is described as a volcanic plateau possibly formed by an up-welling of basalt that is likely to be of a lighter viscosity. Mike

Hi All, Always a pleasure to share our artistic attempts at recording out lunar exploits. Martin - I too looked at Gassendi and thought of you, likewise I also stopped myself drawing it again. Hoping to post the Marius Hills, when I have sorted the sketch. They were fascinating right on the edge of the terminator. In fact I carried away last night - rilles, domes, ridges, flooded craters. Ruud - thank you. Mark - beautiful artwork - I could never do such a sketch (need to go on a course to learn to draw). Keep sharing and coming up with new challenges. All the best Mike

Morning Bill (and Elpajare) Desperate weather all round although I sat under the moon last night pursuing my love of lunar sketching - some excellent details last night. As to Arp 123 - good effort under rubbish conditions. Here is mine from earlier in the year, under decent skies. Totally agree Bill about the merits of EAA. I wait for a set up that can see through cloud and clag.......... Mike

Martin, Thanks for the link. Having decided my felt was too stark I had been pondering about re-doing in chalk/pastel, thus your link is very timely. Just come in from 1.5hr session on the moon resulting in much sketching material. Mike

You are absolutely right about my normal detailed technique creeping in. I have set aside time to explore non - detailed sketching techniques. Not sure I will succeed but fun trying. Thanks Mark for the feedback.

Just getting round to sorting sketches from a few nights ago. I have wanted to try out some different techniques. Maurolycus Sketch - mainly felt pen and deliberately very stark - not sure I will try this again. Fascinating crater with what appears to be a double wall on one side, which I assume is where the later impact smashed up a previous crater. Some very impressive walls. Not far away is crater Baco which I did not include in this sketch but would be at the bottom of sketch. Crater Baco Tried a sort of cross hatching technique, as per Lurcher (Martin) - not a patch on Martin's technique so more practice needed.

Nice to see a colour shot, mine is mono. Some folk think it looks more like a jelly fish than a paw. You also have 2537A to the left and beyond that is PGC 23092 (mag 16) and at the top is PGC 23015 (mag 16). Between 23092 and 2537A is also PGC 2273845 (Mag 17). Not far away is a faint grey dot which would correspond to PGC 3131106 (mag 18). I suspect there are a few more PGCs in this shot - impressive. Mike

Hi Elpajare, I tried Arp 80 but only got a hint of its companion. Easily mistaken for a star forming region. Mike

Thanks Martin. There is just not enough clear skies to chase down all the many DSOs. I have noted your thought of teasing out more detail for VV1034. The crazy weather of late has seen me out there in 95% humidity skies, below freezing and thoroughly enjoying myself but of course paying the price of wrecked sleep patterns. I desperately need some very clear nights to capture more of the low down Arps (a few are impossible for me), re-visit a few and pick off the remaining scattered Arps. Tally so far is around the 315 mark. Then I wish to complete the HIcksons and if I am in the region I pick up very distant NGC/IC galaxies. Thanks as always for your postings, enthusiasm, interesting targets and encouragement. Have fun Mike

Once you start drawing, that is the beginning of a new adventure. I have a mate who started doing basic astro drawings and now does watercolours and acrylic art of everyday life , they are superb.

Great sketch. Your style always captures the nature of the crater(s). I must have another go at your style because my technique is not always the most appropriate one - it tends not to express the ruggedness of the lunar surface. Glad to see you're exploring the vast array of doubles - you will get hooked. Have fun Mike

Hi Martin, Good selection of DSOs. I have visited these visually (not the quasar) but not with the camera (other than Arp 98). NGC 973 reminds me of near by NGC 891. Below is my Arp 98 (C11/ultrastar at f5). I shall put the quasar on my list - like a challenge. Mike

Hi Elpajare, At last I got a clear slot so I gave Arp 9 a go, having first studied your shot. I had the 15" Dob out last night so popped in the camera (scope covered in frost, as was I suspect). I have to use short subs, (max 7 secs) as the scope does not track very well. Pleased with the result, to see the bar and arms. The shot is exactly what I saved. Mike

Hi Martin, My quality STF 7" Mak is often better at picking up fine detail than a bigger scope. Mike