Did a sketch of Mars this morning under very good seeing.
Used the 8" dob and 3.5mm eyepiece at 342x. Two cloud features were seen at the preceding limb and a bank of subtle haze along the opposite limb and along the south under the elongated dark feature.
Time UT: 23/2/12 , 15.30
Time Local: 24/2/12 , 02.30
CM: 199.65
Mag -1.1
Size 13.6"
I'll try and get a coloured version up a bit later
Its been ages since I have done any serious observing let alone post on Iceinspace so, I thought I'd share this sketch I made of ngc 2438 in m46 yesterday (24/2/12).Magnification used was 250x and I also used my recently aquired O III filter which accentuated the detail.
Well done Sab and Orestis. And one of NGC 1850 area, LMC
Great sketches Sab and Orestis. Very good observing in both drawings!
Here's one I made last night of NGCs 1850, 1854, 1858 (all on LHS of sketch), 1860 in centre and 1863 bottom RHS. Henize N103B just to the left of 1850.
Made using 16" dob with 13mm nagler, 175x TFOV 28'
What a great trio: Solar system, galactic and extra galactic subjects.
Very nice detail you've picked up off Mars, Sab. Cloud formations on the Red Planet have always intrigued me.
Orestis, this PN isn't a big sucker, yet you've managed to squeeze quite a bit out of it. 250X with a push-pull dob - nice...
Paddy, THIS is good! The rotten weather I've had here has robbed me of the chance to pin this collection of objects this season. I had been wondering how wide a field these objects spanned. I imagined that they would be able to take quite some magnification, but they whole lot is quite concentrated. There is so much happening there.
<sigh>, one day I may get to see it too, <sigh> . And the Horsie, <sigh>. I had planned to get this one in the bag this season too. Now, another year gone...
I have really enjoyed looking at all the sketches. I'm surprised that there aren't more planetary sketches right now, but the DSOs are good to awesome. Living in South Florida I get a good view of a lot of the Southern sky and the sketches definitely help me. Thanks all for posting them.
Great sketches Sab and Orestis. Very good observing in both drawings!
Here's one I made last night of NGCs 1850, 1854, 1858 (all on LHS of sketch), 1860 in centre and 1863 bottom RHS. Henize N103B just to the left of 1850.
Made using 16" dob with 13mm nagler, 175x TFOV 28'
Amazing sketch Paddy,great detail
I really should start getting into observing these amazing sattelite galaxies of ours.
Thanks for posting
Orestis
Ps-clouds have returned and the moon is waxing so if I have a break from the school work load if ever,I still won't be able to observe.
Did a sketch of Mars this morning under very good seeing.
Used the 8" dob and 3.5mm eyepiece at 342x. Two cloud features were seen at the preceding limb and a bank of subtle haze along the opposite limb and along the south under the elongated dark feature.
Time UT: 23/2/12 , 15.30
Time Local: 24/2/12 , 02.30
CM: 199.65
Mag -1.1
Size 13.6"
I'll try and get a coloured version up a bit later
I've tried loooking at Mars but really can't make out anything more than the polar cap and occasional non specific darker areas. Mostly it is overwhelmed by glare.
Quote:
Originally Posted by orestis
Hi everyone,
Its been ages since I have done any serious observing let alone post on Iceinspace so, I thought I'd share this sketch I made of ngc 2438 in m46 yesterday (24/2/12).Magnification used was 250x and I also used my recently aquired O III filter which accentuated the detail.
Regards Orestis
I've been looking at M46 also and have an unfinished sketch. Waiting for the clouds to go away.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paddy
Great sketches Sab and Orestis. Very good observing in both drawings!
Here's one I made last night of NGCs 1850, 1854, 1858 (all on LHS of sketch), 1860 in centre and 1863 bottom RHS. Henize N103B just to the left of 1850.
Made using 16" dob with 13mm nagler, 175x TFOV 28'
While M46 & M47 are apparently close together M46 is 2 to 3 times further away. M46 shows many more stars than M47 and has a much denser appearance. M46 also contains the plentary nebula NGC2438 although there is some dispute as to wheather this PN is part of M46 or just in our line of site.
Over the weekend there was a conjunction of Venus, Jupiter and the waxing crescent moon. Due to clouds I was unable to get a clear view until Tuesday.
What a great trio: Solar system, galactic and extra galactic subjects.
Very nice detail you've picked up off Mars, Sab. Cloud formations on the Red Planet have always intrigued me.
Orestis, this PN isn't a big sucker, yet you've managed to squeeze quite a bit out of it. 250X with a push-pull dob - nice...
Paddy, THIS is good! The rotten weather I've had here has robbed me of the chance to pin this collection of objects this season. I had been wondering how wide a field these objects spanned. I imagined that they would be able to take quite some magnification, but they whole lot is quite concentrated. There is so much happening there.
<sigh>, one day I may get to see it too, <sigh> . And the Horsie, <sigh>. I had planned to get this one in the bag this season too. Now, another year gone...
Thanks Alex. The 8" does seem to do well when contrast is concerned, the clouds were pretty easy to pick out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paddy
Great sketches Sab and Orestis. Very good observing in both drawings!
Here's one I made last night of NGCs 1850, 1854, 1858 (all on LHS of sketch), 1860 in centre and 1863 bottom RHS. Henize N103B just to the left of 1850.
Made using 16" dob with 13mm nagler, 175x TFOV 28'
Very nice sketch Paddy, really illustrates what awaits the scope in our nearest galatic neighbour. We are very fortunate indeed
Its been ages since I have done any serious observing let alone post on Iceinspace so, I thought I'd share this sketch I made of ngc 2438 in m46 yesterday (24/2/12).Magnification used was 250x and I also used my recently aquired O III filter which accentuated the detail.
Regards Orestis
Good stuff mate, I think you've captured the nebula very well. I've got a sketch of this object and it is almost identical to yours.
I've been able to blow out some cobwebs of late. Ment I could give my new 11X70 binos a go.
Such a wonderful time of the year for wide field views. Binoculars are a great way to take in so much of it.
I thought I'd do a sketch of the rich area between Eta Carina and the huge open cluster NGC 3532. My most detailed charts show at least a further 6 open clusters that sit within this area. It is magnifacently lacey and mottled in appearance - even from my backyard in Sydney.
The challenge with this sketch is to attempt to reproduce some of that mottled texture on the page. Almost like working with shades of dark and darker, . It will be awesome to use these binos at a dark site.
Object: Area from NGC 3372 to NGC 3532
Gear: 11X70 binoculars
Date: 23rd Feb. 2012
Location: Sydney, Oz
Media: White pastel, black charchoal and ink on A4 size paper
Duration: approx 2hrs
I've been able to blow out some cobwebs of late. Ment I could give my new 11X70 binos a go.
Such a wonderful time of the year for wide field views. Binoculars are a great way to take in so much of it.
I thought I'd do a sketch of the rich area between Eta Carina and the huge open cluster NGC 3532. My most detailed charts show at least a further 6 open clusters that sit within this area. It is magnifacently lacey and mottled in appearance - even from my backyard in Sydney.
The challenge with this sketch is to attempt to reproduce some of that mottled texture on the page. Almost like working with shades of dark and darker, . It will be awesome to use these binos at a dark site.
Object: Area from NGC 3372 to NGC 3532
Gear: 11X70 binoculars
Date: 23rd Feb. 2012
Location: Sydney, Oz
Media: White pastel, black charchoal and ink on A4 size paper
Duration: approx 2hrs
very, very nice mate, absolutely fantastic sketch and hats off to you for taking the effort to tackle this rich and dense region. The Mellish technique really shines! I shall try it myself next time
You da man! You really demonstrate what can be done with a modest aperture scope in the right hands 
,
clouds have returned and the moon is waxing so if I have a break from the school work load if ever,I still won't be able to observe.
. It will be awesome to use these binos at a dark site.
