Thanks to Alexander Massey of The Astronomical Society of New South Wales for submitting the following invitation to our contributors and visitors: Scott Mellish was a long time and valued member of the Astronomical Society of NSW. His knowledge of amateur astronomy and dedication to observation and sketching was unrivaled within the society and much … Continue reading Scott Mellish Sketching or Drawing Competition
We are saddened to inform you that skilled observer and astronomical sketcher, Scott Mellish, passed away last week. He was 46 years old. His contributions to amateur astronomy and to the Astronomy Sketch of the Day will be greatly missed. Today’s image features a collage of some of Scott’s incredible sketches. To view more of … Continue reading In Memory of Scott Mellish
Dedicated to our beloved friend Scott Mellish… Aristarchus is one the of the brightest Moon’s crater. Some people believe that it can be seen with naked eye!!! Object name: Aristarchus crater Location: Tehran,Iran Date: 15 may 2001. Time: 23:11 local time. Media: graphite pencil, charcoal and edited with photoshop. Equipment: Dabsom.8″ Skywatcher. Clearsky… Pasha Majidi
Hi all, HOORAY! A clear dark sky! This was my first visit to Wiruna, the dark sky site of the Astronomical Society of New South Wales (many thanks to Alex Comino for organizing my stay there 😉 ). This was the stomping ground of Scott Mellish, and it was such a great experience to meet … Continue reading The Eagle Has Landed
NGC 2997 Galaxy Antlia 01/01/11 Iford NSW Australia 56cm f5 dobsonian telescope Field: 27′ Magnification: 218x Sky quality meter reading: 21:70 Black Canford paper White pen White pastel pencil White pastel chalk Blending stump Paint brush NGC 2997 has a certain sentimental value for me. Many years ago when I first got a chance to … Continue reading Galaxy with a Grand Design
The Large Magellanic Cloud Dorado/Mensa 01/02/11 Ilford NSW Australia Televue 76mm Apo refractor Field: 317′ Magnification: 31x Sky quality meter reading: 21:77 Black Canford paper White pen White pencil Paint brush White pastel chalk White pastel pencil If there is ever an excuse to expound the virtues of a fine quality rich field refractor, then … Continue reading The Large Magellanic Cloud
NGC 2808 Globular Cluster Carina 30/01/11 Ilford NSW Australia 56cm f5 Dobsonian telescope Field: 17′ Magnification: 354x Sky quality meter reading: 21:62 Black Canford paper White pen White pastel pencil White pastel chalk White oil pencil Paint brush This sublime globular cluster proved to be a difficult object to sketch. I almost threw in the … Continue reading Glorious Globular of the Keel
NGC 2294/2291/2289/2288/2290 Galaxies Gemini 12/12/10 56cm f5 dosonian telescope Field: 17′ Magnification: 354x Sky Quality Meter reading: 21:58 Black Canford paper White pen White pencil White oil pencil White pastel chalk Paint brush Blending stump This was quite a nice collection of galaxies in Gemini that viewed well in the 56cm dob. The brightest member … Continue reading Interacting or Not?
NGC 1555 “Hind’s Variable Nebula” Reflection Nebula Taurus 11/12/10 Ilford NSW Australia 56cm f5.0 dobsonian telescope Field: 29′ Magnification: 166x Sky Quality Meter reading: 21:60 Black Canford paper White pen White pencil White pastel chalk Paint brush This somewhat mysterious reflection nebula was discovered by John Hind in 1852. It began to fade in 1861 … Continue reading Hind’s Variable Nebula
NGC 5139 Omega Centauri Globular Cluster Centaurus 09/08/10 Ilford NSW Australia 76mm Televue Apo Refractor Field: 62′ Magnification: 48x Sky Quality Meter reading: 21:38 I always find NGC 5139 a bit much in large scopes, a more elegant view of this grandiose globular can be had in smaller instruments. As rain had been forecast I … Continue reading Glorious Omega Centauri
