Astronomical Sketching

I guess it is valid to say that this post is a follow-up to one of my most recent posts called "Keeping an Observing Log". Recently, I was searching for some good RSS Feed content for our Insight Observatory's blog and stumbled upon a website that is similar to NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day website. The difference is that it's entitled "Astronomy Sketch of the Day" and features astronomical sketches of astronomical objects or phenomena observed in detail submitted by amateur astronomers around the globe. 

Lunar Crater Gassendl Sketched by Achim Rohe.

As I may have mentioned before in one of my previous posts, the art of astronomical imaging today allows observers to acquire fine detail of astronomical objects with minimal effort thanks to remote telescopes that are accessible via the internet. However, there is much to be said about sitting at the eyepiece of a telescope and taking the time to sketch out the detail of an astronomical object. This process forces the observer to perhaps see more detail due to the time it takes to get a good representation of the object on paper.

M42 & M43 Sketched by Jeremy Perez 

As I mentioned in my previous post, the method I used for drawing the planets, galaxies, and nebulae observed through my 4.25" and 6" reflecting telescopes I used to own was using colored or graphite pencils on plain sketch paper. One method that was also popular years ago was using white chalk on black construction paper. However, I never got around to trying that method. After browsing through the astronomical sketches created by observers on the website "Astronomy Sketch of the Day", I have been exposed to a contemporary and interesting way of recording visual observations at the eyepiece of the telescope. It seems the most popular method of astronomical sketching today is utilizing graphite and watercolor pencils on white sketch paper, then scanning the drawing on a personal computer, proceeded by saving the image with reversed values in an imaging program such as Adobe Photoshop. I have included a few examples in this post.

There are many tutorials on various methods of sketching astronomical objects on the internet as well as the book I found entitled "Astronomical Sketching: A Step-by-Step Introduction (The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series). Not only is astronomical sketching a good way to learn detailed characteristics of astronomical objects in the world of astronomy education, but it is also a great exercise for enhancing one's artistic skills. However, please keep in mind, it may take patience.

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Keeping an Observing Log

Sky and Telescope magazine writer, Bob King, recently posted a great article on the Sky and Telescope website entitled "Pleasures of Keeping an Astro Journal". I could relate my experiences with keeping an Astro journal myself in so many ways to his article. I started keeping an observing log back when I was in my early teens at the same time I purchased my Astroscan 4.25" telescope from Edmund Scientific. The company had a special "bundle" deal with the telescope that included an observer's notebook.

Jupiter Observation from 1991.

After reading Mr. King's article, I pulled out the old orange, three-ring binder I that I now store all of my observing session entries I logged back in those days. The earliest entry was in July 1981, with the last one being logged in November 1992. As I flipped through the pages, it was interesting to see how my observing skills and recordings improved over the years. Around 1985, I ran out of Edmund's observing notebook blank pages. therefore, I created my own with a typewriter and a pencil compass. I included an example of my own observation form in this post with an entry of a Jupiter observation I made back in 1991.

There were times that I used a simple number two pencil as well as colored pencils for sketches, but for most of the observing sessions, I stuck to a pencil. For example, there was a week back in April 1982, my Insight Observatory Associate, Muir Evenden, and I were on spring vacation from high school. The nights that week were so exceptionally clear, we set up my Astroscan 4.25" telescope in my front yard just about every night that week. We used a star atlas called "Seasonal Star Charts" I purchased from Orion Telescopes and Binoculars. Muir and I found at least 15 new deep-sky objects that week that we have never seen before. We sketched those objects with a simple pencil and made drawings of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn one evening that week using colored pencils.

Jupiter and Mars as observed through

Astroscan 4.25" telescope 04/19/1982

I highly recommend keeping an observer's notebook. Not is it only fun, but you can detect detail in astronomical objects that cannot be detected with conventional imaging equipment. To quote Mr. King in his article, "There are many reasons to keep a journal. It's a low-pressure, low-tech creative outlet. Over the years, it's fun to look back at your Astro adventures to relive a moment. Writing and sketching prepare the mind and eye to see better and more deeply the next time we step up to the telescope."

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Amateur Astronomy Talk to be Given at Local Library

There will be a talk given on Saturday, February 7, 2015, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at The Cotuit Library, Cotuit, MA presented by Insight Observatory staff members Harry Hammond and Michael Petrasko, covering the topic of Amateur Astronomy and how to get started.

Amateur Astronomy Stargazing and Observing Session

Harry and Michael have been friends exploring the path of amateur astronomy for over three decades. Harry monitors trends in astrophotography, while Michael is engaged in spreading the amateur astronomy gospel, from serving as a planetarium and education consultant to conducting "stargazing" sessions for the public. They've built telescopes, observatories, and other "Astro-gear," conducted public observing sessions, and when not seeking out dark skies for observing and astrophotography, given talks on astronomy to local groups. Their written articles, astrophotography, and tips for creating astronomical equipment have appeared in print from local publications to Astronomy, Sky and Telescope, and other magazines. Both have served as Charter members and past Presidents of the Cape Cod Astronomical Society, and Harry has also served as an officer of the South Shore Astronomical Society. Michael and fellow astronomy enthusiast, Muir Evenden, founded "Insight Observatory" back in 2011 which specializes in secondary school, college level, and public outreach astronomy education utilizing remote robotic and backyard telescopes.

This event will be followed up with public stargazing and telescope viewing on a later date to be determined in May 2015. Michael and Harry would have a 10" telescope and a few pairs of binoculars, one of which would tend to the telescope while those guests waiting for a look will have constellations and other naked-eye objects pointed out. May is a great month for observing... Lots of deep-sky objects, tolerable weather, and perhaps a planet or two will be on tap!

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