now comes the good part

[AJinUT]

I sketched the Messier several years ago. Now I am closing in on my next goal, completing a sketch of all Herschel 400 objects that are actually viewable. About 28 more items and I'll be done!

[dmbryan]

Congrats on the great work!

[BABOafrica]

I sketched the Messier several years ago. Now I am closing in on my next goal, completing a sketch of all Herschel 400 objects that are actually viewable. About 28 more items and I'll be done!

Now, THAT is some serious sketching!

Clears,
Joe

[AJinUT]

Actually, there is a lot of boring sketching as many of the objects are very small. It trains the eye for detail though and that makes one a better visual observer.

[BABOafrica]

Actually, there is a lot of boring sketching as many of the objects are very small. It trains the eye for detail though and that makes one a better visual observer.

I think with the Messier series, there's lots of variety. And there's only a 110 -- some of which are truly spectacular. So I never had time to consider any of it boring.

I guess it could get boring if you were doing 400 sketches of mostly small objects.

Mostly I just wanted a record. I want to be able to say, "And this sketch gives an idea of what that Messier object looked like when I saw it!"

I'm especially pleased when the sketch comes close to what I find in one of the computer star charts. I have a sense that I'm sure we're all talking about the same thing.

Clears,
Joe

[pushrod]

I'm especially pleased when the sketch comes close to what I find in one of the computer star charts. I have a sense that I'm sure we're all talking about the same thing.

Clears,
Joe

Snap I always compare my drawings to star charts afterwards and it is pleasing, when you have sorted out the orientation, to see that they match. Also very interesting is when you have an extra star . I don't know if it is true or not but i have read that many of the star charts are incomplete or can be slightly inaccurate. I wish i had made a proper record of the few occasions i have found extra stars. Is it possible that the extra stars could be comets? I suppose the thing to do would have been to revisit the object several times over the space of a few weeks. Unfortunately i guess a more likely explanation is just sloppy drawing. As it is only after the event that i have found an anomaly, and clear skys are so infrequent, i have never gone back to check as i have been too keen to bag another Messier object when there is a clear night.
(Just a trophy hunter - not a proper scientist i guess )

[admin]

I love your format, wonderful sketches.

[stepping beyond]

I'm just a viewer but, I like the feeling of accomplishment when I find a Messier .Very good read Babo and I would be very satisfied with those sketches.