Eddington
Sketch and Details by Frank McCabe
I was disappointed with my previous observation of this region of the Ocean of Storms this past August and this night was my first opportunity to return to this area. On this evening of observing and sketching, 137 kilometer, walled-plain crater remnant Eddington was well positioned and illuminated in the morning sunlight for drawing. The features that identify Eddington as a large crater ruin include the missing southern and eastern rims and the vast flooding of its floor with the mare lavas. Eddington is a Pre-Nectarian period crater which is likely older than 4 billion years. Today its worn appearance still has character. There is a broken arc of rim remains from south to east which gradually climbs from hills to mountains as the rim arc is traced northward. It may no longer be a regal crater, but it makes an excellent bay to the shore of the Ocean of Storms. To the east-southeast of Eddington rests the much younger Eratosthenian period crater Seleucus (44 km.). This is a deep crater at 3 km. and has a bright meandering debris ray from the crater Oblers A (not seen) passing the crater to the east. The Soviet moon probe Luna 13 landed 75 kilometers southeast of this crater. South along the terminator is the crater Krafft (51 km.) which makes an interesting partner to crater Cardanus beyond the sketching region to the south. Two craters are visible north and east of Eddington. These craters are Briggs (37 km.) and Briggs B (25 km.). Both were showing dazzling rims and ramparts in the early sunlight. The lone crater visible across the sketch to the northeast is Imbrian period crater Schiaparelli at 24 kilometers in diameter. This was that perfect lighting I was waiting for to capture this little corner of the Ocean of Storms.
Sketching:
For this sketch I used: black Strathmore 400 Artagain paper, white and black Conte’
pastel pencils and a blending stump. After scanning, Brightness was slightly decreased (-3) and contrast increased (+3) using Microsoft Office Picture Manager.
Telescope: 10 inch f/ 5.7 Dobsonian and 9 mm eyepiece 161x
Date: 6-17-2008, 2:55-3:50 UT
Temperature: 19° C (67° F)
Clear, transparent, calm
Seeing: Antoniadi III
Colongitude 72.7 °
Lunation 13.4 days
Illumination 98 %
Frank McCabe
Bonjour Frank,
I made 3 or 4 drawings of Eddington. I dont dare posting one. I am not satisfied. Very difficult like most of the objects near the limb. My drawings look flat! Hard to give the sense of perspective. Your drawing has depth! You sure master the white on black technique! It has the advantage to give beautiful deep blacks ! The white pencil on black is not user friendly! Very demanding on drawing skills. I printed your drawing to put it in my collection (I hope you dont mind)
merci de partager
Jacques
Jacques:
Thank you much. And no I don’t mind at all feel free.
Frank