Fine offer, Glen. Shame I can't be there this year. I'm hoping to get to IIS Astro Camp next year in March.
While no new sketch for July, I did get spy several Dunlop objects in the SMC. Just stunning objects around the bright emission nebula Dunlop 25 (NGC 346).
Here's my sketches of another Dunlop object,
Dunlop 440, aka Omega Centauri. Both done from my home in Sydney.
1, 8" f/4 dob, 89X
2, 17.5" f/4.5 dob, 125X
Again in chronological order.
Omega's Eye is so clearly visible even in modest scopes, yet is lost in photographs as the star field gets burnt out. One of my most memorable views of Omega was my last through my 11X70 binos from near Hill End. While the object was small, it was still resolved into stars all squished tightly together. What impressed me too was the surrounding Milky Way field that was mottled, textured and laced with dark nebulae surrounding Omega. Truely stunning, and unexpected and something that is never seen in a big scope! This is one view of Omega I'm hoping to lay down in a sketch. I'll need to wait until next season as it's gone for this year to sketch.
The lesson for me was that a big scope isn't always the be all and end all way to view objects. The session I had with my binos never once had me yearn for any of my scopes, small, medium or large. The binos were perfect!
Mental.