Mike JW

Neptune was close to a mag 10 star last night so I observed it visually with the C11 and then popped the camera into the focuser. 11 x 1 sec subs. Triton showed up nicely. Mike

On the same evening as sketching Atlas and Hercules, I wandered over to Crater Burg. I was fascinated by the multi shades of grey , something I do not recall seeing so a sketch was in order. Burg is 15 to 20 km across and is known as a complex crater despite its relative small size. It has a central peak ( are there two tops - I thought so at times but could not be sure. Professional images do indeed show twin central peaks). The small crater floor was a definite darker shade with very obvious terrace walls giving rise to the different shades. What is also interesting is that the crater rim looked a bit irregular at times. This is the second time I have sketched this crater. Last visit I saw more of the wrinkle ridges that lie around it but less detail within the crater. (Different illumination). Last nights sketch is on the left. Mike

Thanks everyone for your kind comments. Mike

Another clear spell saw me out there looking along the terminator just before midnight, when I stumbled across Atlas and Hercules. The shadows from Atlas indicate a very jagged crater wall made up of several major peaks. The floor of Atlas is very rough indeed. Atlas would appear to have steep terraced walls. Hercules has a much gentler appearance and has big crater within its floor. Both these craters seem sit on a raised plateau of very rough terrain - need a decent all terrain quad bike to scoot around this area as well as some serious climbing kit to reach the sharp peaks. To the right of Atlas is a much eroded elongated crater, presumably much older than Atlas and Hercules as well. Two craters near the terminator have very long shadows - I assume this means they have high walls and judging by how black the crater floors are this would seem to confirm this idea? The mountain tops in the blackness of the night gradually got dimmer over the 1.5 hours I watched this area as the sun gradually dipped below the lunar horizon...... Mike

Great description Mark. Mare Crisium fascinates me as it changes under different illumination.

Don't what to get stuck in a rut!! "I did a sketch of the Cleomedes, Burckardt and Geminus craters" - I thought about those. Burckardt is just on the edge of my sketch. Actually I was tempted to not draw at all because it was fascinating to watch mountain tops disappear into the black, shadows lengthen, cliffs becoming highlighted.... Mike

It is not often I look at the waning moon but last night it worked out. Mare Crisium was stunning. So much detail and the wrinkle ridges very much in evidence. I enjoy seeing the technique used by Martin (Lurcher) so I gave it a go but the result is so appalling I am not prepared to post it. The technique is so different to my normal approach that I could not master it. I think I try to do too much detail. So hats off to Martin. Below is my normal technique but not as good as I would like it. Mike

Hi Martin, I use to own a 500mm Dob and using under Bortle 5 skies I saw the central star just twice in M57. In a 24 " it is somewhat easier. Under dark skies than the 20 would have picked it up much more regularly. Mike (as in lunar sketching threads). PS a 500mm scope will noticeably out perform a 450mm scope but will be harder to transport. My mates 600mm blows away the 500mm but is a beast to transport.

Hi Martin and Mark, Doubles fascinate me. I have made doubles data bases (excel) for all the northern constellations , based on the 2nd edition of the Cambridge Double Star Atlas. These doubles in this 2nd edition are true doubles (or multiples), rather than optical ones. Most have SAO numbers. I have attached an example which has my notes in it as well. I could supply all my lists - very happy to do this. Is the forum the correct way to do this? Andromeda doubles Cambridge.xlsx Sissy Haas book is very good. As to the best way to present a doubles sketch - there are as usual several approaches. Sometimes I will include details, other times I go for the art effect........ Mike

Impressed. Never heard of the WBL galaxy groupings. Mike

Hi Martin, You have set me thinking with this image as to what I might be able to locate. I have never really investigated the Abell Clusters - not enough time........ Mike

Hi Rob, I have just read through your method of sketching - great idea - beyond my knowledge. I like the final effect. I think I would agree with you that the background could be a tad darker but as you say it is not black (except at high magnification). I have often visited these doubles so thanks for reminding me of them. Maybe I should get back into sketching doubles. I always find folks descriptions of the colours interesting. Folk see them differently to each other. Mike

Thanks for posting. Brings back memories of my visits to M74. Beautifully and accurately sketched. Mike

Hi Lurcher, I had been missing your sketches so thanks for posting. I have enjoyed your sketch and technique. Amazingly so I have never sketched Copernicus. Cheers, Mike

A lovely area to explore and good to have your input back into the section. Mike

Hi Gyuri, An excellent attempt - well done. My skies are just good enough to even attempt such a difficult target. Mike

What a super idea to go hunting this target out - thanks for the inspiration. Mike

When I have had mounts that are not particularly accurate; take as much time as is needed to polar align - I did it 3 times last night and kept adjusting until I was happy. Then I sync to the nearest bright star to the object of interest, then sync to the next nearest star if available, then go for the object and hope. Mike

Erling - you are absolutely right about eyes getting old and diminishing ability to discern colour. I am much further down the path than yourself ........... Mike

Hi All, Some Planetary Nebula will be seen as blue and greenish in colour with scope upwards of 8". In my 20 the colours were just brighter. DSOs are never bright enough for our eyes to pick up colour. Some times we convince ourselves we are seeing colour. Star colour is an interesting lark. Folk will see the colour of stars differently - just read through any definitive guide about viewing coloured stars/doubles and you will realise just how subjective colour is. So called red stars for me normally appear more orange than red. Also when looking at coloured doubles the colour and brightness of the main star will influence how we see the colour of its companion. So called hot blue stars I see as white but the more I look then I pick up the blue in the flaring. I find the Great Red Spot on Jupiter another good example of "exactly what the colour is" - I do see it as "red" but more like reddy brown. Uranus is blue but more a greeny blue. Hubble/images in general give a misleading picture of what can be seen in the night sky. "Ships and Stars" - don't expect a blaze of colour from PNs even in a dark sky - just enjoy the brightness of everything through a 20" A mate of mine when he first looked at M42 through his 24 lost his dark adaption!!!! Mike (E. Anglia)