Mikes sketch the Messiers project.

[Josh Wilson]

Ahhh... I imagine I might do the same thing actually.

[Qualia]

Sometimes words just don't suffice, Mike. Phenomenal dedication and quality of art. This thread is simply sublime.

[chrisfellows]

Sometimes words just don't suffice, Mike. Phenomenal dedication and quality of art. This thread is simply sublime.

Very well said! You are truly a talented individual. I just looked through this whole thread hoping there would be more! Incredible.

Keep up the good work!

Chris

[Josh Wilson]

Your sketch of M77 made the Astronomy Sketch of the Day! Great job!

[Mike73]

Your sketch of M77 made the Astronomy Sketch of the Day! Great job!

Thanks for pointing that out Josh as I would of missed it!

[rory]

congrats mike.

[Mike73]

A couple more sketches from home dodging the rain showers!

M52

[Mike73]

M76 The little Dumbbell

[Qualia]

Great stuff, Mike. I look forward to your reports and observations with the 4" as well. Perhaps another thread (or blog) is called for?

[Mike73]

Great stuff, Mike. I look forward to your reports and observations with the 4" as well. Perhaps another thread (or blog) is called for?

Thanks Rob, I think sketching the Lunar 100 list is on the cards for the 4" and as long as the results are too bad I'll post them up.

[Qualia]

Sounds a great plan, Mike but I'd leave out number 1 until the end

[rory]

exellent stuff mike. ive only viewed the little dumbell once,it was little more than a rectanglular fuzz. youve got some real detail outof it there.

[Mike73]

exellent stuff mike. ive only viewed the little dumbell once,it was little more than a rectanglular fuzz. youve got some real detail outof it there.

Not too different to how I saw it to be honest. Unfiltered it was a fuzzy circular blob, the UHC showed the rectangular shape but the OIII really helped show the halo and rectangle 'core'.

Transparency was bad though, one minute the top was brightest next minute the bottom really stood out.

Cant remember the last time I had good seeing and good transparency for DSO's!

[Mike73]

One globular sketch and six opens clusters last night at a great night out at a local dark site.

I've got one more open cluster to sketch and then I can make a start on the spring galaxies which is something I've been itching to do since I got my 16".

It wasnt that cold last night (0˚C) but still had problems with the cold freezing my can of fixative and the damp air made my pastels soft and brittle. In fact I didnt notice any cold at all until it was time to pack up and then I noticed a thin layer of ice all over my coat.

M41

[Mike73]

M46 + PN NGC 2438

[Mike73]

M47

[Mike73]

M48

[Mike73]

M50

[Mike73]

M79

[Mike73]

M93

[KevUU]

Looks like another job well done Mike. Especially like the detail in M79, must have been something at the eyepiece.

[JamesF]

That's very much the impression I had of M79 last night, though in rather less detail in my case

Excellent set of sketches, Mike.

James

[Mike73]

Thanks Kev / James

I just wish M79 rose a little higher as I think it would be a pretty special glob without all the turbulence.

[JamesF]

I just wish M79 rose a little higher as I think it would be a pretty special glob without all the turbulence.

That is exactly the impression I had.

James

[rory]

another bunch of great sketches mate. like you mention you'll soon be hunting down the spring galaxies with 16" mirror ! should be amazing.