Nothing To Blink At

NGC 6826

The Blinking Planetary, NGC 6826
Sketch and Details by Jeremy Perez

NGC 6826, also known as the Blinking Planetary, was pleasantly bright when I tracked it down at low power. It exhaled a blue-green color at all levels of magnification. At 240X, it displayed a shelled structure with an outer shell that appeared circular while the inner shell was elongated at a PA of about 135 degrees. This inner shell was bright enough to make the central star appear to almost blend into it. I did not notice a blinking effect on the nebula, but detail was lost to direct vision. I estimated its diameter to be about 40 arc seconds. This estimate turned out to be fairly poor, as the actual diameter is 27 x 24 arc minutes. If you’re in the area enjoying M27 and M57, reward yourself a look at this beautiful planetary nebula too.

Object Information:

NGC 6826 was discovered by F.W. Herschel in 1793. High resolution photographs reveal an elliptical nebula with an eye-like appearance. Between the inner and outer shells, along the long axis, two red “FLIERS” can be seen. The cause of these structures is yet to be determined, but Hubble telescope images seem to indicate that these FLIERS are stationary while ejected stellar material flows past them–sculpting them in the process. NGC 6826 is also catalogued as PK83+12.1, H IV-73, h 2050, GC 4514.

Subject NGC 6826
Classification Planetary Nebula (3a(2))
Position Cygnus [RA: 19:44:48.17 / Dec: +50:31:30.4]*
Size* 27″ x 24″
Brightness* 8.8 vMag / 9.8 bMag (Central Star 10.4 mag.)
Date/Time August 13, 2007 – 01:30 AM MST (August 13, 2007 – 08:30 UT)
Observing Loc. Flagstaff, AZ – Home
Instrument Orion SVP 6LT Reflector (150 mm dia./1200 mm F/L)
Eyepieces/Mag. 10 mm Sirius Plössl + 2X Barlow (240X)
Conditions Mostly clear, calm
Seeing 4/10 Pickering
Transparency ~ Mag 5.8 NELM
*References NGC/IC Project, Bruce Balick, University of Washington

One Slim Sickle of Moon

Slim Moon

Slim Crescent Moon in a Twilight Sky
Sketch and Details by Giorgio Bonacorsi

Hi Astronomy sketchers,how are you? I made this sketch one month later, the Moon was beautiful at sunset, i mount quickly my refractor of 80mm and i stay enchanted at that vision. Is the first time which made a sketch of the Moon in this phase.
I made this sketch with white pen on blue paper directly from eyepiece of telescope.
At next,clear sky and good sketches to all.

Site:Pergola,Marche,Center Italy.
Date:6 of May 2008.
Hour:8,41 p.m.
Instrument:Refractor Kenko 80mm,1000mm focal lenght.
Eyepiece:Hortoscopic Tele Vue 21mm.
Magnification:47x
Seeing: Good,no wind.

Giorgio Bonacorsi

Seeing Darkness

Barnard 168

Bernard 168
Sketch and Details by Rony De Laet

Barnard 168

The European midsummer nights are not the most favourable nights to go deep-sky hunting. The twilight lasts for the whole night. I had planned to give my attention to some bright galactic clusters. The more delicate objects like faint nebulae should have to wait for darker nights. The NELM for this particular night was around 5.8. I had a few clusters in Cygnus in mind. The last one on my list was the conspicuous M39. When I finished my observation of M39, I tried to see if NGC 7209 in Lacerta was a worthy object for autumn nights. Much to my surprise did I encounter Barnard 168, a thin dark line halfway between M39 and NGC 7209: a dark nebula! It was an unprepared but pleasant visit in the twilight sky. B 168 does not come forward as a void in a crowded field of stars. No, it really shows a darkening as large as 2° in the subtle galactic star glow. While B168 should offer more detail on darker nights, I did make an observation with a sketch under the twilight sky. Maybe other observers with less ideal skies would be encouraged to try their luck as well?

B168 can be found near M39. Put M39 at the western edge of the fov, as shown in the sketch. B168 should be visible near the centre of the field.

Site : Bütgenbach, Belgium
Date : July 2, 2008
Time : around 00.15 UT
Binoculars : Bresser 8×56
FOV: 5.9°
Filter : none
Mount : Trico Machine Sky Window
Seeing : 3,5/5
Transp. : 4/5
Nelm : around 5.8
Sketch Orientation : N up, W right.
Digital sketch made with Photo Paint, based on a raw pencil sketch.

Halo Wanderer

M62

Globular Cluster, M62
Sketch and Details by Frank McCabe

Globular Cluster M-62 (NGC 6266)

In the halo of the Milky Way our home galaxy there are about 160 or so globular clusters orbiting the galactic center. Like life forms they are mostly alike but each is uniquely different in size, shape, density, chemistry, and the like. At 22,500 light years (l.y.) from us this globular is only 6100 l.y. from the galactic center. This cluster is also known to be distorted in shape from spherical due to tidal forces acting upon it by the galactic center. More than 200 RR Lyrae variable stars reside in this globular, a much higher number than most and in the spring of 2002 Chandra X-ray Observatory discovered a rich population of close X-ray emitting binary stars in this globular. M-62 is located on the Ophiuchus side of the constellation border with Scorpius. From my location near Chicago it never rises higher than 19° above the southern horizon. But even on an average night it is an impressive sight in a moderate telescope. This globular cluster was discovered by Charles Messier 237 years ago last month.

Other Features for M-62

R.A.17hrs. 1 min.; Dec. -30°7 min. Epoch 2000
Average distance between stars 0.25 l.y.
Diameter 100 l.y. across 14 arc minutes
Visual magnitude 6.5

Sketching:

9”x11” white sketching paper; 6B, 4B, HB graphite pencils and a blending stump;

Scanned and inverted; brightness of some stars adjusted with MS Paint.

Scope: 10” f/5.7 Dobsonian: 24 mm widefield eyepiece 60x and 12 mm eyepiece 121x

Date and Time: 7-2-2008, 4:00-4:40 UT

Seeing: Pickering 6/10

Transparency: Below average 2/5

NELM: 4.4

Frank McCabe

A Penchant for a Pencil Moon

Pencil Moon

Pencil Moon
Sketch by Richard Neville and Details by Deirdre Kelleghan

Moon sketch in Pencil by Richard Neville age 10
Richard is a pupil of Saint Andrews Junior College in Dublin.
Richard was inspired to try a sketch of the moon.
His sketch shows great energy and intent to capture detail
both on the lunar surface and along the terminator.
Well done Richard its a great effort !!!

Deirdre Kelleghan
President
Irish Astronomical Society 1937 – 2007
Public Relations Officer IFAS
http://www.deirdrekelleghan.com/
Oscail do Shuile D’iontas na Cruinne
Open Your Eyes to the Wonder of the Universe
http://homepage.eircom.net/~irishas/index.htm
http://www.irishastronomy.org/

Galactic Hat Dance

Sombero 120XSombrero 2

The Sombrero Galaxy, M104
Sketches and Details by Jeremy Perez

It’s about time I sketched this beautiful, bright galaxy. Once again, I observed from home, which is not the best place to see structure in galaxies–but the Sombrero was very cooperative. It was conveniently aligned at a PA of 90 degrees. The visible extent appeared to be about 1 x 6 arc minutes. At 120X, the sharp drop in brightness along the south edge was picked up again by a subtle, soft brightening. I would not say the dark lane was apparent at this scale, and under these conditions. At 240X however, the dark lane dividing the two regions was visible. The apparent width of this southern section was about 3 arc minutes.

The heart of the galaxy was punctuated by a stellar core. At 120X, this core appered to be at the edge of the dark lane boundary. At 240X, it was definitely separated from the dark lane. The dark lane appeared to bow very slightly around the stellar core.

Object Information:

M104, the Sombrero Galaxy, lies about 50 million light years away and is a primary member of the M104 group of galaxies. It is an Sa/Sb type galaxy, seen from about 6 degrees above its equatorial plane. It sports a pronounced dust lane as well as a large population of globular clusters. In 1912, it was found to have a large redshift of 1000 km/sec by V. Slipher at Lowell Observatory. M104 was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781.

Subject M104 (NGC 4594)
Classification Spiral Galaxy (Sa-Sb)
Position* Virgo [RA: 12:40:00 / Dec: -11:37:00]
Size* 9′ x 4′
Brightness* 8.0 vMag
Date/Time June 21, 2007 – 9:30 PM MST (June 22, 2007 – 04:30 UT)
Observing Loc. Flagstaff, AZ – Home
Instrument Orion SkyQuest XT8 (203 mm dia./1200 mm F/L)
Eyepieces/Mag. 10 mm Sirius Plössl (120X) / 10 mm Sirius Plössl + 2X Barlow (240X)
Conditions Clear, breezy
Seeing 5/10 Pickering
Transparency ~ Mag 5.5 NELM
*References SEDS

When a Wall is a Window

The Straight Wall

The Straight Wall
Sketch and Details by Jacques Thibault

Find enclosed one of my many drawings of the Straight Wall.
I used my D & G refractor, 127 mm achromatic, f/12, mounted on
Losmandy GM8.
18 mm and 12 mm Radian eyepieces and T-V 2X Barlow. (range : 84X
-260X, mostly 130X)
Conditions : Seing 4/5, from my backyard in Sainte-Foy, Quebec.

My working method :

1-Prior to observing, I make an outline drawing with the help of the
Hatfield Atlas. I use the outlined maps. This takes care of the
proportions and locations of the craters.
That way, I am able to concentrate on the lighting.
2-At the eyepiece, I note the shades of gray with Ansel Adam’s zone
system (0-10).
3-Back in the studio, I make a new outline on drawing cardstock (very
lightly, with a 2H graphite pencil).
4-I then use dry pastel to impart the general shade of the drawing. I
really push on the stomp to dye the paper.
5-I give a light coat of fixative to protect the pastel and to make
sure the ink will catch on the pastel surface.
6-Then I use India ink for the large black zone and different
Letraset markers to finish the drawing.
I also use an electric eraser to clear the white and to create texture.
During the drawing process I will browse in my many books on the Moon
and a wide collection of pictures taken from the Internet and other
sources.

I am not trying to make scientific observations. I just like being
alone under the stars, late in the night or early before sunrise :
it’s like walking alone by the ocean. I chose to draw because it’s by
far the best way to relive the experience. I dont make astro
photographs because I dont want to transform what is for me a
spiritual and relaxing activity into a technical marathon. I share my
drawings with my family and friends.

The very best seing to you all!

Jacques Thibault
Quebec.

I saw so many beautiful drawings on your fabulous site that I felt
that I had to send something as a token of my gratitude. Merci beaucoup.

Jacques

Planet Five with Two Moons

Jupiter and Moons

Jupiter with Ganymede and Io
Sketch and Details by Frank McCabe

While spending most of the evening and night outdoors under the stars, I had an opportunity to sketch planet Jupiter as I awaited the moonrise.

Jupiter was not very high above my southeastern horizon but the seeing was quite good for my location. I was able to see the great red spot not far from Jupiter’s preceding limb on the southern edge of the south equatorial belt. The belt appeared bisected over most of the viewing area. Superimposed on the north temperate belt I was able to clearly see the shadow of Ganymede near the preceding limb. The satellite was lost in the front of Jupiter to the east of the shadow as it made its transit in front of the giant. Also visible in the field of view were moons Europa and further from the planet on the other side Io.

Sketching:

For this sketch I used: black Strathmore 400 Artagain paper, 8”x 11”, and a white Conte’ pastel pencil. I added the moons to the black paper using the white pastel pencil. The sketch of Jupiter was done on white sketching paper using HB, 2B and 4B graphite pencils an eraser shield, and a blending stump. I carefully cut the sketch of Jupiter from the white paper and using a small piece of double sided carpet tape added it to the black paper. Brightness was slightly decreased (-4) and contrast increased (+3) after scanning using Microsoft Office Picture Manager.

Telescope: 10 inch f/5.7 Dobsonian and 6mm eyepiece 241x
Date: 6-23-2008 4:25 – 4:55 UT
Temperature: 15°C (59°F)
clear, calm
Seeing: Pickering 7.0

Frank McCabe

The Asperity South of the Bay of Asperity

Catharina, Cyrillus and Theophilus

Catharina, Cyrillus and Theophilus
Sketch and Details by Frank McCabe

If you have not observed this trio through a telescope then you are in for a treat when you do. The trio I speak of is Catharina, Cyrillus and Theophilus. All three of these craters are between 100 and 104 kilometers in diameter. The oldest of the three is Catharina which is also the southern most of the group in this north at the bottom sketch. Catharina, a Nectarian period impact may be older than the Imbrium basin with debris from that basin scattered across this crater and the older surroundings. Cyrillus a bit younger than the former shows terraced walls and worn central peaks. The last member of the trio is one of those lunar treats that cannot go unnoticed. Theophilus, an Eratosthenian crater, just about has it all. It is large, sharp rimmed, terraced walled, tall central peaks (2 km.), a flat floor, and much melted ejecta just beyond the crater especially to the north and east. The outer reaches of Theophilus gradually merge with the Bay of Asperity.

To the east 28 km Mädler can be seen disappearing into the shadows approaching from the left as they cross the Sea of Nectaris.

Sketching:

For this sketch I used: black Strathmore 400 Artagain paper, white and black Conte’ pastel pencils, Conte’ crayons and a blending stump. After scanning, Brightness was slightly decreased (-2) and contrast increased (+4) using Microsoft Office Picture Manager.

Telescope: 10 inch f/ 5.7 Dobsonian and 9 mm eyepiece 161x

Date: 6-23-2008, 7:30-8:50 UT

Temperature: 15° C (59° F)

Clear, transparent, calm

Seeing: Antoniadi II

Colongitude 147.9 °

Lunation 19.5days

Illumination 81 %

Frank McCabe