Hi all,
September's Challenge turned into something really, really special. I'm amazed, dumbstruck and humbled at the reaction and contribution. I can only hope to be able to contribute a sketch to it soon too, if life & clouds would only co-operate...
Encouraged, this month's Challenge sees a few more targets on offer, to wider range of instruments and levels of experience, to have a go at sketching. Orestis' sketch binocular sketch of the "Coathanger" cluster inspired me to select a couple of objects specially suited to binoculars, or rich-field-telescopes (RFT's):
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=65906
The other targets, though none an absolute visual challenge, they all offer different qualities for all sizes and types of scopes.
Binocular/RFT targets:
Helix Nebula, NGC 7293, in Aquarius. The largest, and presumably the closest, planetary nebula in the sky. It is large and faint, yet binos and RFT's are the best tools to see it with.
Small Magellanic Cloud, NGC 292, & surrounds, in Tucana & Hydrus. This satelite galaxy of our Milky Way is so detailed. Sure it can be seen in scopes, but the whole thing in the one field of view is only possible in binos or an RFT, again it is so big. Along with its big brother, the LMC, I like to call this region of the sky "the killing fields", as both these satellite galaxies are in the process of being devoured by our monster Milky Way, but also the "skeletal remains" of another galaxy lies in the field of view of the SMC, 47 Tuc, the second largest Globular Cluster in the sky. Now believed to be the remant core of a galaxy long ago consumed by the Milky Way. The SMC has a second 'companion' globular NGC 362, a smaller, more 'normal' globular.
Telescope targets:
M16, the Eagle nebula, in Serpens Cauda. Another cluster/nebula combination similar to M8. The challenge for larger scopes is to make out the dark pilars and bok globuals that form the "Eagle".
Grus Cluster, NGC 7582/90/99, in Grus. A relatively bright trio of galaxies that easily fit into a low magnification eyepiece.
NGC 253 & NGC 55, in Sculptor. The Sculptor Galaxy, NGC 253, is one very large, nearly edge-on spiral. Its elongated shape can be seen even in a 2" scope from a dark site. Larger scopes will begin to make out a mottled structure. NGC 55 is also large & lenticlular in shape, but it is an irregular galaxy.
Saturn Nebula, NGC 7009, in Aquarius. So named for its gaseous shell resembles a faint ringed planet. Not as large as the Ring Nebula, but if you've seen Saturn, this one will make you do a double-take and say 'what the...' .
Any other suggestions?
A handy gizmo to help with binocular viewing is a binocular/tripod adaptor. Some binos have a thread on them that allows for one of these adaptors to be used to attach them to a photo-tripod.
Clear skies, and happy sketching,
Mental.
PS, any suggestions for other Challenge themes? I fear I may not be able to prepare a challenge sometime soon, so, anyone happy to dip their toe lest one month there isn't a Challenge, that Orestis had so enthusiatically reserected!