There is a trap we can fall into with the Moon – we want to
push magnification as far as possible all the time. And if conditions are not up to scratch, we
abandon efforts.
A recent sketch I saw on an astro forum reminded me that any
telescope is better than no telescope.
So if your scope is of a small aperture, it is still an exquisite asset.
So, what do the two above statements have to do with
anything? Well, it means that you make
use of what scope and conditions present.
This forth straight night of clear skies, conditions were
particularly poor. Even at 100X, the
image of the Moon was showing a shimmering boil. At another time I would just have packed up
the old orange tube C8. But the memory
of that earlier sketch done using a smaller aperture had me take courage at
looking at using much lower magnification than I would typically use.
This night, magnification at under 100X showed a minimal
amount of boil, and this was to be the magnification to sketch the Moon with.
Even 91X, the amount of detail is staggering to behold. The image though smaller, is much more
concentrated. This night I chose to
revisit an old friend, Copernicus, and the surrounding maria and mountain
ranges. For me, mountain ranges prove
the most difficult to replicate. The
detail is frightfully complex, and my eye struggles to accept just one point of
detail, instead trying to absorb a dozen!
Tonight was a chance to take up a mountain range challenge too.
Copernicus was staggering.
The mountain range Montes Carpatus to the north appearing from over the
terminus into the morning light with spectacular shadows. To the south is Reinhold, with its crater
floor still in complete shade. To the
east is Erastothenes, another big crater that is surrounded by a ring of
secondary impacts created by ejecta material, just like Copernicus has. Erastothenes is located off the end of the
western spur of Montes Apenninus mountain range.
Further north of Copernicus, the terminator is rolling over
the middle of Mare Imbrium. The terminator
here has a lovely, smooth rolling appearance.
And of course, there is the ray system radiating out from
Copernicus, spread out over the surrounding maria.
I hope you enjoy this piece.
Alex.
Object: Copernicus
and surrounds
Scope: C8, 8” SCT
Gear: 22mm LVW, 91X
Date: 20th
December, 2015
Location: Sydney,
Australia
Media: Soft pastels,
charcoal and white ink on black paper.
Beautiful work! I'm just starting out with sketching, and work like this serves as an inspiration.
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