The Great Orion Nebula

[mikeDnight]

A clear frosty night tempted me out into the observatory. The night wasn't perfect but beggars can't be choosers! I set the scope up on its mount, rolled back the roof and aimed it at M42. With a 14mm Pentax XW giving 53X I studied the nebula for some time in the hope my improved dark adaption would enable me to get a spectacular view. Even after 20 minutes under my blackout blanket I felt things weren't going to get any better, so i made a sketch of the nebulosity. To be honest I've seen it better, but the night was holding the scope back. The nebula is a difficult subject due to its complexity, so to render it with accuracy is an almost impossible task. With that in mind the sketch should be viewed as a representation of what can be seen on an average night in a small telescope. The field stars are only approximately placed relative to each other!

Thanks for looking!

Mike 

 

[Tonynexevo925]

Very impressive sketch ??

[Ruud]

It's a beautiful sketch Mike! Thank you for sharing the observation this way.

[John]

Super drawing as ever Mike

[mikeDnight]

Thanks guys! You're certainly hot on the button! 

I've just been playing with the contrast so here's a slightly more contrasty image.

 

[mikeDnight]

The pencil sketch. 

The field was much larger in the eyepiece but I ran out of page! 

Mike

[JeremyS]

What a lovely drawing, Mike. Thanks for posting it.

Jeremy

[laudropb]

Lovely sketch Mike.