M76 and Jupiter on 27th November 2024

[Trillion]

I had a short evening observing on 27th November. "Real world" (work) meant I couldn't stay out as long as I would have liked. Seeing was fairly poor, but improving towards the time I had to go in. I started with a view of M76 (the Little dumb-bell) . 

81x, using a UHC-e filter. drawn using a white drawing pencil on black paper. Bowtie shape was obvious.

Next I turned my attention to Jupiter. I started a sketch, but had to abandon it as a band of clouds crossed the sky.

I spent some time looking at objects I could find between the clouds (including M1) before returning to Jupiter and completing a sketch at 156x, at around 22.00UT.

I'm still not sure how accurate my observations are, but there is certainly a lot going on on Jupiter at the moment!

I rounded the evening off with a quick look at M81 and M82, before going in at 22.30UT.

 

 

[Fraunhoffer]

Nice sketches. What paper and pencils did you use please?

Im experimenting with finding different white pencils and black papers. 

 

[Trillion]

For Jupiter (black on white) I use Derwent Graphic pencils, grades 3b to 5b. The paper is Canson Extra White Sketch - thin enough stick in my observing log, and with a fine "tooth" to take the pencil.

I'm also still experimenting with white pencils on black paper. The paper here is Faber Castell "Black Paper Sketch Pad". For M76 I used an old pencil from my collection. It says "Stabilo Aquatico" on the side, but a quick check on line suggests this has either been rebranded (Stabilo Aquacolor?), or is no longer available. Other ones I have found good are Faber Castell Polychromos, or Derwent Lightfast (good but expensive) or Derwent drawing chinese white.

  I suspect I'll never stop experimenting, looking for the perfect pencil/paper combination.