M42 sketch from a 16inch Meade in Kildare

M42 pastels on black paper
November 27th 2008
00:11 - 00:50
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Meade 16 inch FL 4000mm
22mm Nagler eyepiece = 181X
Co Kildare
Michael O' Connell's observatory

A long standing invitation to observe and sketch at Michae's observatory finally came to happen on Thursday evening. I have done several sketches of M42 in the last few years but I never saw anything like the detail made available to me in Michael's 16 scope. It looked a bit like dendrites in the brain connecting to each other and it almost looked like it was exploding toward me.

My first view of the structure close to the Trapezium was very intricate, another visit may crack that sketch some evening soon.
I think I was overwhelmed by the detail and my sketch is focused on attempting to capture some of the structure in this magnificent object.
My sketch could have been softer, but when you see something you think you are familiar with in more detail it it takes time to absorb it and make an effort to get it right or close to right. I would hope to have another go at this awesome object in a large scope soon. All the way home that evening I was thinking how to do this better. I did not see the other two stars at the time of sketching but Michael saw one extra just before he closed up for the night.

I sketched M82 earlier and will post soon
M42 is a photograph of the sketch as my scanner is not working at the moment

My thanks to Michael O'Connell for one of the best evenings fun in ages

Deirdre Kelleghan
President IAS
PRO IFAS
If anyone can explain how to post an image within a post I would love to know that
Thanks

Lovely sketch, Deirdre!

Here's one I did through the same OTA, but with a slightly longer occular (26mm/175X):



(Note: pencil on white cartridge paper; scanned and inverted.)

Cheers,
-- Jeff.

It was great to have you down here Dee and glad you enjoyed your time.
Great sketches of M42 and M82.
Feel free to pop down again whenever suits.

Michael.

That's a spooky sketch Dee.

Mesmorising interpretation D! Absolutely wonderful!

Always love to see these since I have hands of lead when it comes to drawing.

Other point.... Have I missed a post somewhere? When did the bastion of IFAS get hold of a 16" Meade and how many storeys did he have to put on top of the observatory to fit it in?