Orion - naked eye

[mark81]

I often like to sit back and take in the stars on very clear nights and with Orion on its way down for the season I took the opportunity to take a little sketch. 

It's often surprising what you can see when you really take your time and allow your eyes to fully adjust.  I didn't sketch in every star I could see as many appeared with averted vision but I was treated to some faint wisps of the milky way and could resolve a few stars in NGC 1981. Orions nebula wasn't as clear as it been recently but still nice to see.

Black card, white gel, white pencil and a red light.

Mark

 

 

Edited March 28, 2020 by mark81
New photo

[domstar]

That's excellent. Sketching is definitely on my to do list. Just can't seem to make that first step. This picture brings me that much closer to giving it a try.

 

[mark81]

6 minutes ago, domstar said:

That's excellent. Sketching is definitely on my to do list. Just can't seem to make that first step. This picture brings me that much closer to giving it a try.

 

Sometimes when I do a sketch, I look at it and wonder 'what was I thinking?' but more often than not they turn out OK....

Definitely give it a go, it's great fun (and does improve your observing skills )

Mark

[acr_astro]

Hello Mark,

that's a wonderful naked-eye sketch of this well-known astronomical target. Well done!

Clear skies!

Achim

[Waddensky]

That's a great sketch! You don't see that many naked-eye sketches around. Careful observation reveals a lot of nice details!