reflection – Page 9 – Astronomy Sketch of the Day

The Veil Revealed

The Veil Nebula, NGC 6995
Sketch and Sketch Details by Robert Twarogal (Ignisdei)

This extraordinarily beautiful sketch of NGC 6995, the Veil nebula, was one of several submitted by Polish amateur astronomer Robert Twarogal (Ignisdei). His detailed yet delicate treatment of this classic emission/reflection nebula is a tribute to his strong observational and artistic talents. We look forward to sharing with you, future postings of Robert’s exceptional entries.

Sketch details:
Object Name : NGC 6995 – Veil Nebula (Ignisdei)
Object Type: Nebulae/emission/reflection
Location: Poland/ Oborniki/suburbia
Date: 31.06.2008 y,
Equipment: Synta 305/1500

Milky Way Sights

Lagoon Nebula and Vicinity
Sketch and Details by Carlos Hernandez

My South Florida weather cleared temporarily on July 30, 2008 (04:00 U.T.) and allowed me to tour the Milky Way with my Oberwerk 11 x 56 binoculars. Many targets were visible but the Lagoon Nebula (M8) and Trifid Nebula (M20), as well as M21 and M28 caught my eye. The Lagoon Nebula (M8, NGC 6523) was visible as an elongated nebulosity which included clumps of stars (NGC 6530). The Trifid Nebula (M20, NGC 6514). The open cluster M21 was visible north of the Trifid Nebula and M28 towards the east (left).

A digital rendering made using Photoshop CS3.

Carlos

Dark Nebula Nexus

M20 – The Trifid Nebula
Sketch by Kiminori Ikebe

Mr. Ikebe observed and sketched this view of M20 using a 50 cm Dobsonian at 220X.

M20, The Trifid Nebula, is a famous and beautiful target for astrophotographers and visual observers alike. The red emission nebula contains a young star cluster at its center, and is surrounded by a blue reflection nebula that is most noticeable at the northern end. It’s distance is not well agreed upon, and is listed anywhere from 2,200 light years (Mallas/Kreimer) to 9000 light years (Jeff Hester). Its magnitude estimate is also wide, and is listed from 9.0 (Kenneth Glyn Jones) to 6.8 (Machholz). Part of the magnitude difficulty comes from the very bright triple-star system at the heart of the nebula.

The dark nebula that crosses the Trifid was cataloged by Barnard and listed as B 85. The object was originally cataloged by Charles Messier in 1764, when he described it as a cluster of stars.

Sparkling Winter Blossom

NGC 2174
Sketch and Commentary by Bill Ferris

NGC 2174 is a truly spectacular nebula; one belonging on every amateur’s “must see” list. My sketch captures a 109X view in the 18-inch Obsession. The emission nebula ranges throughout the 45′ diameter field of view. The bright star near the center is 7.6 magnitude HD 42088. A clump of seven 8th through 10th magnitude stars blazes immediately to the north and east. Another 60+ stars are scattered across the field. A UHC filter enhances the breadth of the nebula. An OIII filter seems to give the dark rifts more oomph. The brightest portion of NGC 2174 surrounds HD 42088. From here, prominent branches extend to the north and southwest. More subtle patches of fluorescing gas are strewn about the field. What a magnificent object! You’ll find NGC 2174 in the northern-most reaches of Orion. 4.6 magnitude Chi2 (62) Orionis shines just 1.5 degree to the west.

Gardens of The Ethiopean Queen

Hello,

This object was brought to my attention by Sue French (Celestial Sampler). While Cassiopeia dominated the zenithal region of the sky, I tried my luck. The nebula was visible at x15 as a small patch around the star Burnham 1. How nice! The nebula showed even more details at x36. It was a pleasing sight in my little scope. The associated star cluster, IC 1590 remained invisible with the used set-up. Here is my impression.
Date : December 28, 2007
Time : around 17.30UT
Scope : Skywatcher 102/500
Vixen LV Zoom at 14mm
Power : x36
FOV: 85′
Filter : Lumicon UHC
Seeing : 3/5
Nelm : 5.2
Temp : -5°C
Elevation : 800m ASL (Bisschofshofen)

Sketch Orientation : N up, W right.
Digital sketch made with PhotoPaint, based on a raw pencil sketch.

Rony

A Fine Reflection

NGC 7023 or Caldwell 4
By Rony De Laet

Here is an observation of an interesting nebula (aka Caldwell 4) in Cepheus. A nebula filter is of no help at all (and I tried ) because it’s a reflection nebula. I once was quite happy with the Baader Contrast Booster on this object, but this night no filter was able to enhance the view. The object was near zenith during the observation. The nebula kind of grows in the eye of the observer. First I see a halo around the central star (HD200775). Then with patience comes a bar of light running from N to S through the star. With a lot more patience and wiggling the scope, the nebula grows larger and reminds me of a face on galaxy with knots of nebulosity and dark lanes cutting the disk. A faint star is visible in the N part of the nebula.

Date : October 17, 2007
Time : 20.30UT
Scope : Skywatcher 102/500
Vixen LV Zoom at 8mm
Power : x63
FOV: 48′
Filter : None
Seeing : 3.5/5
Transp. : 3/5
Nelm : 5.3
Sketch Orientation : N up, W right.
Digital sketch made with PhotoPaint, based on a raw pencil sketch

Two Views of the Spider

The Tarantula Nebula, NGC 2070 wide field view
By Eiji Kato

NGC 2070, The Tarantula Nebula

Eiji Kato has captured these two marvelous views of the NGC 2070, the Tarantula Nebula in the southern hemispheric constellation of Dorado, the Dolphin fish, Xiphias, or the Swordfish. This immense region contains stars forming in their nascent cacoons of gas and dust. Previous stellar death is rampant here as well, remnants of their past existence, shells of excited gas, glow amidst strong interstellar winds. Mr Kato’s beautiful sketches show two perspectives, one a wider field view and the other near center. Most of Mr Kato’s exceptional drawings were made using an 18.5″, f/4 reflector. Some later drawings were made with a 18.1″, f/4.5 reflector.

The Tarantula Nebula, NGC 2070 near center view
By Eiji Kato

Eiji Kato lives in Australia and operates the TwinStar Guesthouse Observatory.
Please make a visit to his gallery of fine drawings.

Hands to Claim Unbounded Night

The Great Orion Nebula, M42 and M43
By Serge Vieillard

This color drawing of the Great Orion Nebula was created by Serge
Vieillard during a trip to the Libyan desert to view the Solar
Eclipse of March 2006. Serge created this colored pencil drawing as a
negative on white paper and inverted it after scanning to create the
positive image seen here. In order to get the colors correct for this
inverted image, he did extensive testing beforehand so he had the
correct complimentary colors in his sketching supplies (an orange
pencil for the blue-green hues, and a green pencil for the rose
colored areas). Serge spent two hours illustrating this magnificent
nebula. He notes that two hours was not nearly enough to sufficiently
capture all of the fine detail visible.

Stellar Reflection

M78, a reflection nebula in Orion
By Wade V. Corbei

After trying more than once, I finally was able to get a good night of dark skies and good seeing in order to observe M78, a Reflection Nebula in Orion last month.

Although fairly unspectacular overall, there is a rich starfield that helped in enhancing the overall view of this nebula through the EP. I did notice, with averted vision, that quite a few of the stars that surround this nebula contained some color…from slight blueish-white to a rusty orange/red. The colors, although slight, add a nice contrast in the EP FOV.

“Like M42 on steroids!”

The Eta Carina Nebula
By Rob Esson

10B Graphite pencil on white sketch paper with blending stump. 18in f/4.5 Obsession
Dob with 17mm Nagler, giving a 0.7 degree field of view and magnification of 121x.
Sketched at the Deepest South Texas Star Party held at the Warrumbungles Mountain
Lodge in New South Wales, Australia on March 22, 2007.

I thought that I would follow up Jeremy Perez’ drawing of the Eta Carinae region
with binoculars (11/29/07) with a more detailed telescopic view. The Eta Carinae
region of nebulosity goes on – seemingly – for ever. This is merely a sketch around
the middle, and due to clouds coming in, is not as detailed as I might have liked if
I had had more time. The ‘blob’ about 2/3rds of the way towards about 12:30 on the
sketch is the Eta Carinae homunculus. Words are difficult to find to describe this
sight: it is probably the most impressive area in the sky. Although this sketch was
made using a Dob, binoculars or a wide field telescope are needed to take in the
nebula in its entirety. The Hubble pictures are no doubt fun to look at with all
their false colors, but the visual effect through the telescope, when the photons
are extinguishing on your own retinas as opposed to a ccd, is one of absolute
wonder: there are just numerous areas crying out to be examined in detail, like M42
on steroids!

Rob Esson, Kansas City MO