Dee
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/12/06
Posts: 806
Loc: Ireland
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17/P Holmes
November 3rd 2007 00:20 UT Reflector FL 1200mm/15mm eyepiece/80X
Pastel/Gel Pen/ Seeing 2 / Trans Poor/ Wicklow Ireland. Mag 2.5
I have always learned lessons from comets. Holmes has been a valuable teacher in its unique outburst and journey. I have followed Holmes since October 24th in both binocular and telescope sketches.
On November 3rd I was observing it with an 8mm eyepiece after not seeing it for a few days. The comet completely filled my field of view.I was overwhelmed with the lack of detail as I was too close to it, and did not sketch what I observed. I changed to a 15mm eyepiece to control the image and see detail.
Lesson for the future, sketch what you observe not what you want to sketch.
Here is the sketch from November 3rd with my 15mm eyepiece used with an eyepiece
circle. Holmes had a strong leading edge, some transparent areas, and well defined material spewing from the nucleus in a fan like shape. This material seemed to wrap itself around inside the leading edge and whip back around in its ever expanding bubble.
When I began to sketch Holmes on Oct 24th I did not use an eyepiece circle.
I was fascinated by this visual entity that was changing every evening before my eyes.
I was sketching to sketch its detail but I was not recording its expansion relative to an eyepiece circle.
A friend who is a truly great observer,had pointed out the value of eyepiece circles to me in the past, but it was not until I failed to sketch the expansion on November 3rd that the sense of the eyepiece circle came home to me.
Lesson for the future, sketch within an eyepiece circle as you may record changes in what you observe; you never know what is going to happen.
Dee
Edited by Dee (11/17/07 03:46 PM)
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Dee
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/12/06
Posts: 806
Loc: Ireland
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November 8th 2007 22:10 UT Reflector 1200mm/15mm eyepiece /80X
Pastel/Gel Pen/Seeing 3/ Trans Poor/ Kildare Ireland Mag 3
I went to Kildare around 70 miles from where I live to sketch Holmes in a 16inch dob.
It really looked amazing but I was way to short for the scope. I observed a blue hue at one stage which would have made a stunning sketch. I sketch a messier object at a more comfortable declination and also this sketch of Holmes with my 8 inch dob
The trailing edge was so much more hairy or ragged than I had observed before and the material spewing from the nucleus was becoming very jet like . The leading edge was more chiselled and gave the comet the look of movement on the leading edge and sweeping back of material look on the trailing edge.
Lesson for the future, bring a ladder when observing in large scopes, don’t let a sketch get away for lack of solid a platform.You may not get that sketch again ever
Dee
Edited by Dee (11/17/07 12:29 PM)
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Dee
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/12/06
Posts: 806
Loc: Ireland
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November 16th 2007 23:10UT Reflector 1200mm/15mm eyepiece /80X
Pastel/Gel Pen/Seeing?/ Trans Poor/ Wicklow, Ireland Mag ?
It was a very cloudy evening, I was aware that Holmes was the largest object in the solar system. Every now and then I had a look out for a gap and at 23:10 there it was still naked eye almost ready to engulf Mirfak.
The comet to my delight almost filled my eyepiece circle. What a huge huge expansion since my last view on November 8th. Comet Holmes was so transparent, the nucleus was not apparent at all, the material spewing from the centre was much less defined but was so elongated and fine and nebulous. There was a star in the centre not the pin point nucleus of previous days.
Holmes was so much paler, a ghost of its former self, yet still shapely and beautiful. There were several stars within the thinning coma, I did not get to include them all in this sketch as cloud once again swallowed this giant ice expanding visitor whole.
This may be my last look at Holmes as the forecast for the next five days is not good.
It if continues to become more transparent, it will bring the challenge of attempting to sketch almost nothing in the dark night sky.
Lesson, there is great satisfaction in filling eyepiece circles with giant comets.
Oh by the way if leading edge and trailing edge are incorrect ways of discribing the sphere of Holmes let me know the correct terms. Thanks
Dee
Edited by Dee (11/17/07 12:39 PM)
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SallyR
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/08/06
Posts: 881
Loc: England
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Dee - I have really enjoyed reading your Holmes/Dee shared journey 
I too have lamented my non-use of an eyepiece field-of-view circle in my Holmes comet sketching captures - as you say,a valuable lesson learned the hard way 
I do hope your skies clear and afford another glimpse soon. We are sharing your grey skies and bad forecast here... 
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Sally
My CN Gallery
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SallyR
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/08/06
Posts: 881
Loc: England
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Sorry, I forgot to say - these are wonderful sketches! 
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Sally
My CN Gallery
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frank5817
Postmaster
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 7212
Loc: Illinois
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Dee,
Wonderful sketches and great lessons for us all. The comet has put on quite a show and it continues. Thank you for posting.  
Frank
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My Gallery
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novbabies
Postmaster
Reged: 06/05/05
Posts: 15678
Loc: Northern Georgia!
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Dee, very nice sketches!
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Good Seeing!
Mark
Orion 12" XTi f/4.9
VERY old Edmund 6" f/8 reflector
Assorted binoculars
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4709
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Dee, what a wonderful set of Holmes sketches and observation reports, these are just beautiful! Having no access to a telescope now, your renditions have allowed me to experience it's continuing evolution. The many lessons you have learned are something we can all start applying. Awesome work!
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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michaeloconnell
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 1065
Loc: Ireland
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Great skethes as always Dee! Hope you enjoyed the views through my 16". When you called over, the only ladder I thought of was the little step ladder. I never even thought of the other ladder I have in the shed. Folded over, that ladder *may* have allowed you to sit atop of it and get a sketch - won't know for sure till you call round again and we give it a go. Keep up the good work and if you ever want to sketch through the 16" again, just hop in the car and call 'round.
Clear skies,
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Michael
www.astroshot.com
...too many scopes, few clear skies....
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WadeVC
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/02/05
Posts: 2834
Loc: Lodi, California,
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I have no idea how I missed this post...but I sure did. Very nice sketches of a very unique comet. Well done! 
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Orion XTi10 f/4.7
Orion XTi8 f/5.9
Meade NGC 70mm f/10
Orion UltraView 10x50 Wide-Angle Binoculars
My Sketch Gallery
My Astronomy Blog
A wise man can see more from the bottom of a well than a fool can from a mountain top.
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rolandlinda3
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/06
Posts: 3140
Loc: Crozet VA 22932
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Good description, Dee. I don't know comets well so I don't know their parts and features. Like you, I learned a lot with successive sketches then standing back and considering them together. Enjoyed your sketches. Roland
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Roland
Blog: www.rolandlinda3.wordpress.com
Older sketches in Members Galleries (rolandlinda3)
For other sketches/inspirational stories: contact me via PM for information
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CarlosEH
Postmaster
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 6714
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Dee,
Outstanding observations of this interesting celestial wanderer. You have recorded it accurately as it changes form. Thank you for sharing it with us all.
Carlos
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RLTYS
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/18/04
Posts: 4267
Loc: New York (Long Island)
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Dee
Beautiful Sketches. I particularly liked the third one with the "tail" like coma condensation. I believe this comet has been a learning experience for all.
Clear Skies.
Rich (RLTYS)
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10" F4.8 Refl.
4" F5 Refr. (Genesis)
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50mm F12 Refr. (Tasco #6TE-5)
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"I want to do more then just look."
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rodelaet
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 3185
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Dee, wise words and beautiful sketches!
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Rony
'The Casual Sky Observer's Guide.'
My Astronomical Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
Callibrate your Monitor with this little strip.
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