Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Link to report in solar forum
Sketch media: black Strathmore Artagain paper, white Conte’ and white Prang pencils, white vinyl eraser, fixative
Post processing: -25 brightness, +4 contrast, resized and created collage by pasting selected prominences on black background. Used digital disk for position angles from Tilting Sun program.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi. 
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4089
Loc: Illinois
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Erika,
You have recorded some great solar prominences on this day.
Excellent sketching and report on what is a wonderful post. I hope your recovery from surgery continues in the brilliant way your sketching continues.   
Frank 
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my gallery
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cildarith
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 2357
Loc: San Diego, CA
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Nicely done, Erika! 
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Eric
6" f/6 Parks Newtonian
10x50 Bushnell Binocs
CN Sketch Gallery||MinDat Mineral Gallery
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CarlosEH
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 4141
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Erika,
An excellent observation of an interesting (and flowing) prominence noted along the solar limb. Thank you for sharing it with us all.
Carlos
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 WadeVC
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/02/05
Posts: 2831
Loc: Lodi, California,
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Erika,
Uh...what exactly is that? I have no idea what you are even sketching or trying to convey....oops...wait a minute.
Is that the Sun?
No way!
You mean it is actually still up there burning away somewhere above all the clouds and fog!
LOL 
Once again, very nicely done. As always, I really enjoy seeing your solar sketches!!
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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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rodelaet
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 3063
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Beautiful sketches, Erika!!!
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Rony
My Astronomical Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
Callibrate your Monitor with this little strip.
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ozzy9039
sage
Reged: 11/12/07
Posts: 225
Loc: Tampa,, Fl.
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Great Sketch!!!
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"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
---Albert Einstein---
http://www.wix.com/ozzy9039/The-Ozvatory
-Orion XT8i-
-Orion 80ST (On CG4 EQ)
-Home Made 60mm Refractor (In The Works)
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thanks guys!
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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THEPLOUGH
Sir Ducksalot
Reged: 01/11/08
Posts: 6231
Loc: Carlisle, Cumbria, ENGLAND
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Nice to look at..
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Geoff...
Nexstar 8SE ...Plus bits & pieces
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thank you.
Wade, I really must starting putting down on my solar sketches what I've sketched. For those that don't solar observe, I'm sure it looks pretty strange.  Because I almost observe solar exclusively anymore, I keep forgetting to do that.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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WadeVC
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/02/05
Posts: 2831
Loc: Lodi, California,
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Quote:
Thank you.
Wade, I really must starting putting down on my solar sketches what I've sketched. For those that don't solar observe, I'm sure it looks pretty strange. Because I almost observe solar exclusively anymore, I keep forgetting to do that.
No need Erika, I was being facetious due to the fact that I have been graced with 36 solid days of fog or clouds (or both) on my end. 
However, I did get a break last Saturday, and I was able get an almost-all-nighter observing session in...and I was sketching my fingers to the nub. Now I have some digitizing to do.
...naturally, the clouds have settled back in for a while again it seems. 
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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
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A wise man can see more from the bottom of a well than a fool can from a mountain top.
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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How cold is it at your place right now, Wade? I'm thankful I solar observe as well as night time. It's not so bad sitting out in the freezing cold observing if I've got the Sun on my back.
Anyway, I thought it was a good idea to add that a Solar title to the sketches anyway, so you did give me a good idea. Thanks!
Here's the report from today.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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WadeVC
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/02/05
Posts: 2831
Loc: Lodi, California,
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Erika,
It hasn't been overly cold here per se...a few chilly nights but nothing too terribly cold; but over the last 40 days there has only been one night that the clouds or fog parted enough to get outside under the stars. My last two nights of observing were Dec. 12 and Jan. 18.
The weatherman says to expect rain for the next week. *sigh*
Anyway, one bit of information you include in your sketches that I really do enjoy is in the upper right-hand corner where you make note of exactly where you were observing while sketching. Nice touch!
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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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pike_fly
sage
Reged: 10/10/07
Posts: 365
Loc: Roxborough Park, Colorado
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Stunning Erika. I've never seen a solar flare (except for NASA photos) - is this like trying to sketch a candle flicker or do the flares last a long time? From the time frames it looks like you only have a minute or so to sketch before it changes. Either way, amazing job. Keep posting more.
**runs off to try to figure out how to make a solar filter***
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Lee
8" Celestron f6 Dobsonian
10" Zhumell Dobsonian
Class 4 Bortle Scale Backyard Site
View Lee's Gallery
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CarlosEH
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 4141
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Erika,
Another magnificent observation of a prominence along the solar limb. This arc prominence is very prominent. Thank you for sharing it with us all.
Carlos
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Quote:
Anyway, one bit of information you include in your sketches that I really do enjoy is in the upper right-hand corner where you make note of exactly where you were observing while sketching. Nice touch!
Wade thanks for the comment on the inserted disk information. It's good to have feedback on what others might find useful. I remember Matt Looby used to make schematic sketches off to the side of his lunar sketches every once in awhile (please someone correct me if I'm remembering wrong...I believe it Matt).
Lately I've been making it a habit of creating a schematic of the Sun for a quick reference of where all limb features are as well as the prominent surface ones. It's made a huge different in remembering details for when I write my reports as well a visual record of the entire Sun at that time of the day. The Sun is in constant change so having that schematic is very important when comparing notes later with other observers.
The inserted digital Sun idea came from Les Cowley's sketches, made possible with his Titling Sun program. He's made it available to us free of charge and like the Virtual Moon Atlas for lunar work, I find his program invaluable for Solar.
I hope you start having better skies soon, Wade. We've been very fortunate so far this month in SE Ohio. In northern Ohio where they have stronger lake effects, the skies have been worse.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thank you Carlos and Lee. Carlos, that prominence has been wonderful to watch. We're lucky to have the others in the solar forum to compare views with at different times of the day.
Lee, flares are a little different than a regular prominence. Solar flares can last minutes to several hours and are sudden eruptions of energy due to magnetic stress that can sometimes lead to coronal mass ejections of radiation and other gas particles.
Prominences are gaseous clouds that extend in or above the chromosphere. These "clouds" are called prominences when viewed off the limb of the Sun and called filaments when viewed against the solar disk/"surface". They are separated into 2 main classes, "Active" and "Quiescent". Within the active class, you might see flare like prominences such as surges, eruptive prominences, sprays, flare loop. Most of what you view though will be in the quiet or "Quiescent" class, which are the types I've sketched in this thread.
I have sketched several QRF eruptions in the past. It's hard for me to distinguish them from erupting prominences and up until recently, I thought they were one and the same.
Below is an example of how fast they can appear and then break off or dissipate.
To see these types of features, located in the lower part of the corona and in the chromosphere, you need to have a very narrow bandwidth called hydrogen alpha. The entry fee so far for this type of viewing is about $600 with a PST (personal solar telescope). There is a new company in the making called Lunt Solar Systems that uses a slightly different construction in their filters/solar scopes, and along with that will be lower prices for lower angstroms and aperture. At the moment, they are looking to have their filters available this spring/early summer if I'm remembering right. Until then, no one can comment on how good these filters will be, but expectations are pretty high.
White light filter viewing is much cheaper and allows you to view in the photoshere. You won't be able to see features like prominences, but you will get better definition in the sunspots themselves as well as see some granulation and faculae. I prefer the views through white light filters for sunspots, but find benefits with side to side views with both filters to get the most out of my viewing sessions. You can buy Baader film for about $20 and make your own white light filter for one of your 8" scope.
For more info on h-alpha viewing, David Knicely has a great article: http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org/halpha/
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Here's today with the link to the report.
Equipment:
Internally double stacked Maxscope 60mm, LXD75, 40mm ProOptic Plossl, 21-7mm Zhumell, ETX70-AT with 8mm TV Plossl for white light observation.
Sketch Media:
Black Strathmore Artagain paper, white Conte’ and Prang pencils, white vinyl eraser.
Added –25 brightness, +5 contrast after scanning in color at 300 dpi. I then turned the image into monochrome. I scanned initially in color to eliminate cross hashes that the scanner creates in grayscale. Tilting Sun program used for digital Sun insert.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4089
Loc: Illinois
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Erika,
Beautifully rendered collection of prominences you have drawn and posted today. You really do a top notch presentation with all your solar sketching and the solar disk with coordinates for orientation and prom. location is a big plus as is the report.
I am sure you are very much appreciated at the solar page for your updates and sketches just as all of us here anticipate and love these drawings.
Frank
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my gallery
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rolandlinda3
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/24/06
Posts: 2233
Loc: Crozet VA 22932
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very beautiful catch and sketch. really like this one. Roland
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Roland
Sketches in members galleries: rolandlinda3
Inspirational stories/sketches at:
www.christworksministries.org
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rolandlinda3
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/24/06
Posts: 2233
Loc: Crozet VA 22932
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Very informative seeing the time lapsed sketches on this one. Makes the point well about the brevity of the scene. Your threads are so good but hard to track all of them. Wish you would write and article and get it published then send a copy around (if you do it, I want one).
Roland
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Roland
Sketches in members galleries: rolandlinda3
Inspirational stories/sketches at:
www.christworksministries.org
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 4302
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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About an hour after she was out, I sketched some of the same proms that Erika included on her excellent Jan. 25th report and posted them on the thread she started in the Solar forum. We have a discussion of the in and outs of prom sketching going on, too. Just click on Erika's report link and scroll down.
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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pike_fly
sage
Reged: 10/10/07
Posts: 365
Loc: Roxborough Park, Colorado
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I LOVE you for the flare/filter tutorial. THANKS!
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Lee
8" Celestron f6 Dobsonian
10" Zhumell Dobsonian
Class 4 Bortle Scale Backyard Site
View Lee's Gallery
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THEPLOUGH
Sir Ducksalot
Reged: 01/11/08
Posts: 6231
Loc: Carlisle, Cumbria, ENGLAND
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Once again they are awesome..
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Geoff...
Nexstar 8SE ...Plus bits & pieces
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Link to today's report
Sketch Media:
Black Strathmore Artagain paper, white Conte’ and Prang pencils, white vinyl eraser.
Added –25 brightness, +5 contrast after scanning in color at 300 dpi. I then turned the image into monochrome. I scanned initially in color to eliminate cross hashes that the scanner creates in grayscale. Tilting Sun program used for digital Sun insert.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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xfile101
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/08/07
Posts: 759
Loc: Ocean Gate, NJ
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Erika, your sketches are wonderful and very beautiful 
Now I have a question but I don't know how to word it so I'll just explain what I'm looking at in Erika sketches. In the Jan 23rd sketch, time 1737UT, I see (besides the solar prominence) a man standing with his hands on his hips while a deer or dog nudging him in the behind.  ANd in the Jan 18th sketch, time 1209, I see a man tugging on another guy's shoulder pointing to a computer. Am I just wierd or what???  I guess it's a residue from open cluster viewing, when I do this I try to make out some kind of asterism within the cluster ie. NGC-2362 looks like a bow tie to me. I guess I'm a little crazy. In any event, I really enjoy your sketches Erika.
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Orion XT8I
Celestron 114EQ Firstscope
Meade 70mm
Astroscan
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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X-file, I'm sorry that I missed your post back in Feb.
You're not crazy at all. I always see shapes in the features, too.
2008 March 23rd solar report
Sketch Media:
Black Strathmore Artagain paper, white Conte’ and Prang pencils, white vinyl eraser, charcoal pencil, black fountain pen.
Added –15 brightness after scanning in color at 300 dpi. Tilting Sun program used for digital Sun insert.
Collage created by pasting separate sketches onto dark background.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4089
Loc: Illinois
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Erika,
Beautiful sketch and excellent report. I see Paul took a great shot that matches nice with your great drawing. Shouldn't he be resting during the day so he can image at night? 
Frank
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my gallery
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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I remember how hard it was for me to try to fit in working, daytime viewing and nighttime viewing all in 24 hours. The nighttime viewing has certainly taken a backseat. I still love the night skies, but I like the days better.
Here are the two views from today. If anyone is interested in the report, it can be viewed here: Link to report
Sketch Media:
H-alpha - Black Strathmore Artagain paper, white Conte’ and Prang pencils, white vinyl eraser.
Added –5 brightness, +30 contrast after scanning in color at 300 dpi. Tilting Sun program used for digital Sun insert.
White Light – white copy paper, #2 pencil, .5mm mechanical pencil, photographed sketch instead of scanning for better contrast.
I'm making some use of a light charcoal pencil for adding a layer of contrast to the active regions on the h-alpha solar disk. I also decided to blend the white background of the disk a little more than I normally would so that the active region details wouldn't be lost in the mottling.
I'm not sure I like this since the appearance of the background is too smooth now and not representing the true view of the eyepiece. I'll continue working on it, though.
If anyone has suggestions I always appreciate constructive criticism. That's the best way we can continue to improve out techniques.
If anyone would like to brush up on their solar sketching skills, by all means, feel free to add your sketches so we can help each other out. 
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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white light filter sketch
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Sol Robbins
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/01/03
Posts: 1609
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The prom in the first sketch must have really something to see. Great stuff!
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S.R.
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thanks, Sol.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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darkstar528
Postmaster
Reged: 03/06/07
Posts: 6790
Loc: Hodgenville, Kentucky, USA
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The only advise I think anyone could offer you is to try and get out more so we can enjoy more of your art!
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Blue skies,
Stephen "Darkstar" Ames
PST(#96038), VIXEN 8-24mm,CEMAX 2x Barlow, Thousand Oaks White Light Filter and a Meade Elec EP
CFI, CFII, MEI, working on EIEIO!
BAA Member
My solar site:
http://seemysunspot.com
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Jaycin
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/09/06
Posts: 2146
Loc: Oregon, USA
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WOW Erika! That is an amazing body of work!
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Jason
Zhumell 8" Dobsonian
60mm Meade Telestar
Sketching the Cosmos
Messier countdown: 102 down, 8 to go! 
Salem, Oregon
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thanks guys. Jaycin, it's great seeing you again!
Here's from today.
2008 04 06, 1240ST - 1330ST (1640UT - 1730UT)
Solar H-alpha
Sketch Media:
H-alpha - Black Strathmore Artagain paper, white Conte’ and Prang pencils, white vinyl eraser.
Added –25 brightness, +15 contrast after scanning in color at 300 dpi. Tilting Sun program used for digital Sun insert.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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molniyabeer
Confused and Asleep
Reged: 01/08/05
Posts: 2558
Loc: Central Coast, California
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Erika,
Some day your sketches will (or should be!!) in text books as examples of "a master observer's" records. Who needs film or a CCD when you've got a Conte crayon?
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Steve
16" Meade LightBridge (Beowulf)
10" Hardin DSH, StarMax 127mm Mak, PST H-a
Oberwerk 11 x 70 binocs, Tasco 10 x 50 binocs
Santa Maria Clear Sky Clock
Figueroa Mt Clear Sky Clock
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Steve, thanks so much for the compliment.
Here's my latest. Haven't had a lot of time to spare for observing, but at least I got out for a few hours over the weekend.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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WadeVC
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/02/05
Posts: 2831
Loc: Lodi, California,
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Always
Always
Always
That pretty well sums up how often I am impressed by your solar sketches and how often I look forward to looking at those you share with all of us here Erika!
As usual, just absolutely magnificent!!
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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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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4089
Loc: Illinois
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Erika,
Lovely solar sketch work. Thank you for showing us this beautiful grouping. 
Frank
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my gallery
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rodelaet
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 3063
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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I second that!
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Rony
My Astronomical Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
Callibrate your Monitor with this little strip.
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mark_h37
member
Reged: 04/26/08
Posts: 39
Loc: NPR, FL
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Excellent collage of sketches. Congratulations on your sketch being the 5/9/2008 selection for astronomy sketch of the day.
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Mark
Binoculars: 11x70 Oberwerk
Telescopes: 4" f/13 MCT
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
Camera: NexImage
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thanks everyone.
Mark, welcome to CN!
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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2008 May 25
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4089
Loc: Illinois
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Erika,
Your solar drawings are most beautiful. The activity in this session seems to have picked up a notch. That detached globular region in drawing 4 looks different.
Frank
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my gallery
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DNTash
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/02/07
Posts: 762
Loc: India
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Very impressive, Erika. The solar sketches are a not only good science, but a thing of beauty. You have a gift.
Dale
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AT 72
TMB 92
Orion 120ST
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darkstar528
Postmaster
Reged: 03/06/07
Posts: 6790
Loc: Hodgenville, Kentucky, USA
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Beautiful sketch and presentation!!!!!!!!!!
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Blue skies,
Stephen "Darkstar" Ames
PST(#96038), VIXEN 8-24mm,CEMAX 2x Barlow, Thousand Oaks White Light Filter and a Meade Elec EP
CFI, CFII, MEI, working on EIEIO!
BAA Member
My solar site:
http://seemysunspot.com
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 4302
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Excellent observational drawing, Erika! Did you use your usual media on this one?
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thank you, everyone.
Michael, I tried using an almost waxy charcoal stick that I had on hand for adding the darker areas. It was a mistake and I should have stuck with either gently erasing the white back off for those areas to expose the paper, or to use the lighter gray charcoal pencil that I keep in my solar kit. That waxy charcoal pencil will be great for only filaments and sunspots, though.
Other than that, the only difference is that I used a 12mm Burgess and went back to my 8mm TV Plossl for this observation instead of my zoom.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Sketched using double stacked Maxscope 60mm on an LXD75 mount with black Strathmore paper and watercolor pencils. I had to use the despeckle feature of Photoshop to get rid of all the white artifacts from scanning.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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atoptics
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/10/06
Posts: 1482
Loc: UK
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May 28th lovely vigorous lively solar view. Really captures it. Wonderful.
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Les
Optics Picture of the Day
Atmospheric Optics
TiltingSun
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4089
Loc: Illinois
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Erika,
Beautiful!
Frank
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my gallery
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thanks Les and Frank.
Here's another one I had forgotten about from today. It was on the western limb and I did this with Conte' crayon and pencil in white, plus Prang white pencil, black waxy charcoal and lighter gray charcoal pencil.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4089
Loc: Illinois
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Erika,
This is a most impressive close up drawing. It has photo quality details to it. The eyepiece view must have been sensational. Very nice shadow frame too.
Frank
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my gallery
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rodelaet
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 3063
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Indeed very impressive, Erika!
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Rony
My Astronomical Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
Callibrate your Monitor with this little strip.
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thanks guys.
Here's the latest.
Sketches created with black Canford paper that Sally gave for me to try out. I also used my normal white Conte' pencil and white Prang pencil.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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rodelaet
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 3063
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Oh my...!
Erika, Those are magnificent!
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Rony
My Astronomical Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
Callibrate your Monitor with this little strip.
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4089
Loc: Illinois
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Erika,
Beautiful sketches and I like the texture on the Canford paper. How do you like sketching on it?
The sun is pretty quiet in white light.
Frank
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my gallery
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markseibold
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/19/08
Posts: 1084
Loc: Portland Oregon
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Erika
Beautiful sketchwork as yours always is! I thought there was new activity and misunderstood the first post at top here being from May 2008.
I have forgotten about the sun lately with so much cloudiness in Portland for the past week and my new interest doing the moon. Ironic it is just breaking out at the moment. You have reminded me to take a look. Then the day old moon today Sept 1.
Thanks for your inspiration and great artwork!
I looked at Conte products at our large Art Media Store in Portland the other day- I am not familiar with Prang though. You have me curious now. Can you describe these mediums in detail? Your desire for using them if only for solar prominence sketching? I probably need to search for your tutorial posts again.
The Canford paper? I know I have seen it on the art store shelves here but forgot as I favor the Strathmore 400 ~ 500 Series and Canson Mi Tientes in 19" X 24" and Artagain 9" X 12" tablets out of convenience.
Thanks for any info,
Mark
Edited by markseibold (09/01/08 06:59 PM)
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thanks guys.
Frank, I really like the Canford paper and will be ordering it from Dick Blick's site next time instead of my Artagain paper. http://www.dickblick.com/zz107/14/
Artagain is 160gsm whereas Canford is 150gsm. So that's not a huge difference. But what is different is that I find Canford not as shiny as Artagain and a deeper, richer black. It's A4 size instead of the US standard of 9x12" so it fits in my protective plastic covers in my journal without me having to cut it down to size, making it much neater in appearance.
With Artagain, you can see the fibers of the paper. The Canford appears to have a much tighter weave/press so that the matte appearance is much flatter, showing the details of the sketch better after scanning in or photographing.
Mark, Prang doesn't blend well, but the upside is that it doesn't smear either. It lacks the brilliancy of Conte' and is wonderful for the fainter, wispy areas of the sketch. I use these combinations for lunar sometimes, but prefer my charcoal on white paper for the moon as it seems more natural to me....like a comfortable pair of sneakers.
Here's the solar tutorials with the explanation of my media. link to solar tutorials
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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CarlosEH
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 4141
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Erika,
Outstanding observations of interesting solar prominences along the limb. They appear to flow in your fine renderings. I look forward to your future observations.
Carlos
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TheChemist
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/08/06
Posts: 878
Loc: England
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Erika, I am thrilled that you got on so well with the Canford paper What a stunning collection of sketches. You really have a magic touch when it comes to catching old H-alpha sol onto black paper
The weather here in the UK has been sooooooooooo bad this summer since I saw you (the wettest August since records began...) that I am still waiting for a decent sketching opportunity to do justice to trying out the Artagain paper you very kindly gave me when you visited me 
The sketches here were done in my small black paper sketchbook (not Canford) which is small enough to be carried around on the off-chance of catching a sketch
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Sally
My CN Gallery
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thank you Carlos and Sally. Sally, beautiful sketches as always. I hope your and Dee's presentation went well last month.
Regarding your black cloth that you made for me, I am having no difficulties at all sketching underneath it. I keep the sketch on my knees and have the bottom of the cloth opened under my chin so that I can glance down at the sketch to add to it. If I need to close the part under my chin for added darkness, I can do so easily with my left free hand that isn't holding the chalk. Maybe I can get Paul to take a photo of me doing so if it might help.
Thank you again for making that for me, Sally. It's been a wonderful accessory and so much nicer than that flimsy little spare piece of black cloth that I had been using.
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This sketch was done today. My neck has been getting really bad again (will be seeing the neurosurgeon again the first week of November and am now on pills again), so I couldn't make it a long session.
The link to the report is here.
This case is a perfect example of getting carried away with fitting in all the details and then losing touch on size and contrast. The active region was smaller in real life and a little further away from the limb. I continued on with the sketch anyway, marking the error in my report and off to the side of the sketch, since it was still an accurate representation of the AR within itself.
The prominence set on the limb is accurate in size, but I rendered it too bright, again getting carried away with my markings while trying to mark in the details within the prom.
Even though I've made the errors, I've marked them accordingly and still have a successful sketch from my observation. I say successful because I've still achieved my goals of in depth study of the Sun through sketching and managing to record my observations of these features regardless of two areas of errors that I stated.
Sometimes sketching can be like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time. The results can make you giggle, but you still trying your hand at it.
I grabbed the black paper closest to me today, so that was the Artagain paper. White Conte' chalk, Conte' pencil, and white Prang pencil were for the white areas. Contrast added with a stick of charcoal and a black pen.
No erasing was done and blending of the solar surface was done with my finger tips. No blending was done after that.
I added a -15 brightness after taking a photo of my sketch with my Rebel outside in diffused lighting. My new scanner is still giving me fits scanning in my sketches, so I find it easier to take photos of them until I can master the new machine.
Any suggestions, comments, constructive criticism is always appreciated, so go ahead and hit me with both barrels if anyone wishes.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4089
Loc: Illinois
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Erika,
Beautiful sketch and much more a close up than I can remember seeing before. You really do an impressive bit of sketching with our star.
Sorry to hear about your neck again; I'll be pulling for a good outcome with the doctor.
Frank
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my gallery
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thanks Frank.
Here's the newest sketch from today.
I used Strathmore Artagain, Conte' crayon and pencil, Prang watercolor pencil. I took a photo of it in the shade rather than using the scanner. It seems to reproduce the black paper sketches best for me.
The graphics were from Les' Tilting Sun program.
If anyone is interested in reading the report, it can be found here.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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CarlosEH
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 4141
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Erika,
Excellent solar prominence observations! Your renderings of this solar phenomena are getting better all the time. Thank you for sharing them with us all.
Carlos
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rodelaet
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 3063
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Erika,
Woooow! Your sketches are getting better and better.
It's a wonderful view.
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Rony
My Astronomical Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
Callibrate your Monitor with this little strip.
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 4302
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Erika,
Great sketch! I like the texture on the solar disk and the way you rendered the brighter and fainter parts of the prom.
Congratulations on having some sunshine, too--it's been scarce lately.
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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markseibold
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/19/08
Posts: 1084
Loc: Portland Oregon
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Erika
Beautiful sketch. I especially like it because it reminds me of my own close-ups that I have done of the sun. I am not going to criticize this one at all! I can only add again that it was your solar sketch that I first saw in Spaceweather.com in mid October 2006 that launched my astro-sketching to new heights and bounds, then finaly leading to discovering Cloudy Nights earlier this year, thanks to this site, I am now stuck on the moon.
*PS: I am sorry to hear of your illness. I hope you are feeling better since you wrote this in November. I just got out of the neuro-surgeons offices again today.
It's good to see you back here again. I look forward
to seeing your next work.
Mark
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4089
Loc: Illinois
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Erika,
Beautiful solar sketch. I really like that side by side format in your presentation. I would guess the unadjusted photo image is very close to direct viewing of the finished sketch.
Frank
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my gallery
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thank you, guys. It's fun looking back at some of my earlier sketches and seeing how they progressed over time.
Several hours later, a huge faint prom directly in the middle of the two outer ones in my sketch emerged. I wish I had left my scope set up for more views as the day went on.
Frank, the online sketch is just about an inch larger than the physical sketch sitting on my desk. I barely had to decrease brightness by about -5 and increase contrast by +3 or +4. That's all that needed done as "post processing" by taking a photo of it instead of scanning. My new printer/scanner that I got this year does horrible scans. Maybe more to the point, I'm just not very good at using it properly. Thank goodness for digital cameras.
Mark, I just got over a three day long piercing headache that left me in bed the majority of the time from the pain, nausea, and moments that felt like I was going to pass out. Thankfully, these headaches are getting fewer and far between now that my neurosurgeon has given me different meds and I've gotten out of landscaping. Arthritis has set in my cervical vertebrae now after the surgery last year making it painful to observe or look up too much. But I'm adjusting. At least I'm still able to play the violin, which is my other favorite pastime. I hope you're doing well and that you're not having a lot of pain.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
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Erika, I am very sorry to hear about your neck. I was a luthier for ten years and did lots of violin repair. Just using a violin hurts my neck. The fact you can still play is great.
In addition to doing day to day repairs on acoustic violins I made the tooling and processes for the manufacture of these violins:
http://www.jordanmusic.com/V5fmh.GIF
In fact I worked on that very violin.
PS I think I had the prom at 80 degrees but I was an a really big hurry.
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Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
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markseibold
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/19/08
Posts: 1084
Loc: Portland Oregon
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Quote:
Mark, I just got over a three day long piercing headache that left me in bed the majority of the time from the pain, nausea, and moments that felt like I was going to pass out. Thankfully, these headaches are getting fewer and far between now that my neurosurgeon has given me different meds and I've gotten out of landscaping. Arthritis has set in my cervical vertebrae now after the surgery last year making it painful to observe or look up too much. But I'm adjusting. At least I'm still able to play the violin, which is my other favorite pastime. I hope you're doing well and that you're not having a lot of pain.
Erika
I must have missed your other bio info in the past. I saw your violin profile avatar earlier but did not undertsand it.
I am not sure if people here in CN know me at all. I am a 54 year old grandfather. Our daughter of 28 years and her husband, are to have their second son in a month. We had her tutored on classical violin for 10 years from age 8 till graduation at age 18. She was a master at age 18, then she gave it up. She is also very artistic; can’t imagine where she got that???
It is good to see that others are immersed in classical instrument playing. I was not aware that you had surgery. I have recuperated from my back injury, and I now a swollen [broken?] foot for the first time in my life. If I cannot walk, I cannot sketch. I have never had surgery in my life. I plan another road trip soon but to where I do not know.
I sympathize for your condition and hope you are feeling better. Aside from the trauma of loosing my home in foreclosure after twenty years of landscaping maintenance of my homes yard, that yard and home was my niche' in life aside from art and astronomy; I should have no complaints in life.
I hope to rebuild another home as the bank returned $95,000 to me but I cannot see re-growing 20 years of landscaping??? or finding the same dark sky location again unless I live to be 75 to enjoy it again. 
I hope that you are feeling better and look forward to seeing more of your sketching here.
Mark
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Colin, there are two another luthiers on CN as well. It's great fun to have such a diverse group here on the forum. I use a Kun adjustable shoulder rest ( http://www.sharmusic.com/kunviolin.asp?catID=42 ) that lifts the violin up for comfort. A few of the violinists in the symphony orchestra I play in don't use the shoulder rest and it always amazes me how they do it, especially shifting into higher positions. It takes the strain off my neck and I barely have to crank my head to the side to play. This time last year, I had to take pretty hefty pain pills to make it through a concert. The downside was that the pills made me groggy and my response time wasn't as good.
Mark, I can't imagine how difficult it is to lose a home and especially how hard it would be to pull yourself back up again. I do know that much of the material things we have we can actually do without to survive and enjoy life. I don't need all my fancy art supplies, a pencil and paper could do just fine. I don't need all the astro gear and could be happy with a set of cheap binos and the grass to lay back on. I don't need all my music instruments, I can play a cheap harmonica instead. Good for you getting involved in the community, sharing astronomy with everyone rather than sitting back feeling sorry for yourself.
Colin, it's hard sometimes getting an accurate position angle on some of those proms. My line of drift showed the smaller towards the bottom of the sketch as being just above the line. The angle I had my diagonal positioned made the top of my sketch almost south. To confirm that I am at least close on my position angles, I compare them with images from SOHO. SOHO rarely has images around the same time, but even if they were taken from several hours earlier, you can line up the larger proms with their orientation for confirmation. They had that set around the 7-8 o'clock position. Of course, it would have been flipped vertically from my view at the angle I was viewing from yesterday. My normal view would be west is left, north is up. But I usually view off to one side or the other of the mount for comfort.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
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I am still learning how to get Les' program to be accurate at the EP. It is very easy for me to get lost. I'll try to look at SOHO and Big Bear next time I am out. 4 days of rain now.
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Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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I hope your weather improves. We'd had a few days of sun and I've been trying to take advantage of it while I can. Even with the freezing temps, you can't help but to feel plenty warm with the Sun beating down on your shoulders.
I read your technique in the other thread. You've come up with some great ideas to get around the dark adaption issues. I hope you put them to the test and tell us how you got on with them.
It's also good to hear how Lunt was able to have a flatter, more consistent bandwidth across the FOV. With the Maxscope, I have to move things around a lot and do all that tweaking to pull out the details, as I mentioned before. The details pop in an out and it's kind of fun to see what I can bring to light from me playing around with all the knobs.
Here is the sketch from today. I have the report in the solar forum if anyone is interested. During the observation, I thought I found a new active region. Dragging out the white light set up showed me that I was wrong.
Same sketching technique as always. For a refresher doing filaments, I use a sharpened white vinyl eraser pencil that I flatten out with an exacto knife to resemble a flat head screw driver. The eraser is used to draw in the filament by removing the white conte'. Then I add finer filament detail with a piece of charcoal.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 4302
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Erika,
Nice detail in the proms--nice technique for rendering them, too. I like that filament--I'm going to try using a vinyl eraser as you describe to make the filaments next chance I get. I just started using a white vinyl eraser and I really like it.
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thanks Michael. I have a chunky rectangular vinyl eraser and the pencil looking type. The pencil type is easy to shape for those small tight areas. This is the kind I have:
http://www.officeworld.com/Worlds-Biggest-Selection/PENZE22C/09Q1/
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Third day in a row.
Same technique and the report is in the solar forum.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4089
Loc: Illinois
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Erika,
Excellent sketches. Like you say the warmth of the February sun is welcome even if the air is still winter cold.
I have been experimenting with shaping erasers of various types into points, wedges and the like. They can work very well. I rather use a shaped eraser than an eraser shield in most sketching situations.
Great sketches and reports.
PS Venus should be on your meridian about now if your sky conditions are still good.
Frank
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my gallery
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cildarith
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 2357
Loc: San Diego, CA
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Excellent series of sketches, Erika!
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Eric
6" f/6 Parks Newtonian
10x50 Bushnell Binocs
CN Sketch Gallery||MinDat Mineral Gallery
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markseibold
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/19/08
Posts: 1084
Loc: Portland Oregon
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Quote:
Here is the sketch from today. I have the report in the solar forum if anyone is interested. During the observation, I thought I found a new active region. Dragging out the white light set up showed me that I was wrong.
Same sketching technique as always. For a refresher doing filaments, I use a sharpened white vinyl eraser pencil that I flatten out with an exacto knife to resemble a flat head screw driver. The eraser is used to draw in the filament by removing the white conte'. Then I add finer filament detail with a piece of charcoal.
Erika- Very nice sketching and I especially like your fine documentation format and candid explanation of technique to render the prominences with dark charcoal. It makes for a very profesional presentation. Has your sketch work ever appeared in popular astronomy magazines? If not, I think that it should because I think it will inspire others to observe [and sketch]. I also need to take your great example of documentation and notes and apply it to my own sketches. I know I can work up a formal page in photoshop to accompany my sketches for online. Instead, I tested myself when you all saw my hand drawn tilted sun once and the white pin-lined frame on one crescent moon sketch with blue earthshine that drew so much attention in the October monthly contest. I think it was the hand drawn technical graphics in these sketches that amused many and not the central subject. Many artsts from an era gone by, used to sketch in their own frames and outer ornate boarders in both paintings and sketches.
I am not as accesible with the solar scope and ready as I used to be at my home. In my temporary living situation, I also do not have my own computer set up, so regular solar observing and documentation has become spurious at best.
I was wondering what you meant by "dragging out the white light set up showed me I was wrong" to confirm an active area on the suns surface?
Thanks again for sharing this great example to document the suns activity.
Mark
Edited by markseibold (02/07/09 04:37 AM)
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thank you Frank and Eric. It's funny how a person can sit for an hour in 2F solar observing (not yesterday but I have in the past) and still feel very comfortable. But observing in 20F in a damp night feels like you're going to freeze to death.
Yesterday afternoon was full of other obligations, so I didn't get a chance to observe Venus again. It's cloudy today and a warm front came in. Hopefully it'll clear up later on for a chance.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thanks Mark. Yes, my sketches have been in a few magazines and other publications. I've written a few articles about sketching and solar observing/sketching in particular.
I do both schematic sketches and close up sketches at the eyepiece during my observation. The schematic sketches are for recording every feature that I see during the observation and look like stick figures. Then I put down in words what I see during the observation and am careful to jot down times, sky conditions that would affect the view at that given moment, and any other relevant information.
The close up solar sketches are also recorded at the eyepiece because of how intricate the features are, there's no way I could render them even fairly accurately from memory, reading my notes, or using the schematic sketches to reconstruct the view inside and especially not hours or days later. The views change so quickly that even just 10-20 minutes, the prom can take a different shape and be noticeably different. So it's important for me to record the times with each sketch.
When I say noticeably different, I don't mean a completely different form like an erupting prominence, but rather the subtle changes of movement that would make you get out an eraser to correct your sketch.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 4302
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Quote:
Third day in a row.
Same technique and the report is in the solar forum.
More great work, Erika. The prom detail is nicely done.
It looks like Venus is transitting across your Tilting Sun graphic--what's up with that? Did I miss something?
[Edit: Just read your report about the plage--Venus remains in its original orbit. ]
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
Edited by Special Ed (02/08/09 10:00 AM)
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Well Michael, it's a bit tempting to try and combine the Venus observations with the solar ones.
Here's the report and sketch from today.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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TheChemist
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/08/06
Posts: 878
Loc: England
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Absolutely stunning sketch Erika, thanks for sharing
Quote:
Regarding your black cloth that you made for me, I am having no difficulties at all sketching underneath it. I keep the sketch on my knees and have the bottom of the cloth opened under my chin so that I can glance down at the sketch to add to it. If I need to close the part under my chin for added darkness, I can do so easily with my left free hand that isn't holding the chalk. Maybe I can get Paul to take a photo of me doing so if it might help.
Thank you again for making that for me, Sally. It's been a wonderful accessory and so much nicer than that flimsy little spare piece of black cloth that I had been using.
Thanks Erika. I have only just seen your comment here when I was browsing back through this thread. I am so pleased the cloth has turned out to be useful for you I am looking forward to getting back out under mine again for some serious solar observing and sketching
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Sally
My CN Gallery
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4089
Loc: Illinois
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Erika,
Another stunning and gossamer rendition of solar proms.
Happy Birthday young lady. Paul must get busy this time of year; can he bake a great cake?
Frank
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my gallery
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CarlosEH
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 4141
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Erika,
Thank you for your latest solar observations and reports. They are always fascinating and informative. I look forward to your future observations.
Carlos
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thanks. :-)
Sally, I'm looking forward to having the Sun come up high enough for you too. It'll be great seeing your solar observations again.
Here's from today. Anyone wishing to read the report can view it here.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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rodelaet
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 3063
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Erika,
Your sketches of the sun are a joy for the eye.
Thank you!
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Rony
My Astronomical Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
Callibrate your Monitor with this little strip.
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4089
Loc: Illinois
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Erika,
Very fine sketch and report. Your capture is at substantial magnification and quite clear.
Frank
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my gallery
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thanks Rony and Frank.
There is a new AR in the northern hemisphere noted with only plage to my eye in h-alpha. Another CN member grabbed a shot of two spots in that AR with a white light filter.
Here's my report from today.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Horrible horrible transparency, but the seeing was rock steady.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Jeff Young
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/04/05
Posts: 4116
Loc: Ireland
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Erika --
Love that one!
-- Jeff.
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Nikon 18x70s / UA Millennium Colorado:
Solarscope SF70 / TV Pronto / AP400QMD Coronado SolarMax40 DS / Bogen 055+3130
APM MC1610 / Tak FC-100 / AP1200GTO Tak Mewlon 250 / AP600EGTO
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Thanks Jeff. I was ready to pull out my hair with the transparency. The views were mucky.
I wish I could see that gap on the limb like you can. Have you ever seen it in a 60? I wonder if mine being a double stack might hinder me seeing it as well since the views are dimmer.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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CarlosEH
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 4141
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Erika,
Your wonderful observations of the Sun keep us all updated on the activities of our nearest star. The prominences appear very delicate in your renderings (good job!). Thank you for sharing them with us all.
Carlos
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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A very belated thank you, Carlos.
Here's the view from today. 2009 May 15 report in solar forum
DS 60mm Maxscope, LXD75, 21-7mm Zhumell
Sketch created scopeside with black Strathmore Artagain paper, white Conte’ crayon and pencil, white Prang watercolor pencil, Derwent charcoal pencil, black oil pencil.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4551
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Beautiful sketch Erika! Your experiments with various techniques and media have paid wonderful dividends in these latest renditions. What's a black oil pencil?
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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markseibold
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/19/08
Posts: 1084
Loc: Portland Oregon
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Erika
Beautiful sketch.
You've convinced me to go out and observe the sun today through my 40mm h-alpha Solarmax.
Mark
www.markseibold.com
My CN Sketch Gallery
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4551
Loc: Jacumba, California
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BTW Erika,
I had to have a look at the Sun after admiring your drawing. There is sooo much activity on the limb!  Proms everywhere! Very delicate loops and arches!
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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CarlosEH
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 4141
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Erika,
An excellent of the Sun showing interesting plages and prominences. You have captured the solar surface very nicely. Our nearest star appears to shine in your observation. Thank you for sharing it with us all.
Carlos
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Jeff Young
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/04/05
Posts: 4116
Loc: Ireland
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Quote:
Thanks Jeff. I was ready to pull out my hair with the transparency. The views were mucky.
I wish I could see that gap on the limb like you can. Have you ever seen it in a 60? I wonder if mine being a double stack might hinder me seeing it as well since the views are dimmer.
Erika --
Sorry, lost track of this thread.
I've never looked through a 60, but I have asked several folks who use 50 and 60mm obstructed and unobstructed instruments as I was considering replacing my SM40 if I could bring in the gap & spicules.
Anyway, the results of my informal survey were mixed. At least one respondant could see it with an unobstructed 50, and several with obstructed 60s, but I also found several with both obstructed and unobstructed 60s who couldn't see it.
One respondant did suggest it had more to do with magnification than aperture. I think it must be at least a little of both, though, as I can't see it in my SM40 at 75X, and can in my SF70 all the way down to 65X.
My only conclusion is that aperture, obstruction, magnification, and viewer all matter -- which means neither one of us is any wiser in what the bare minimum would be personally. 
Cheers,
-- Jeff.
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Nikon 18x70s / UA Millennium Colorado:
Solarscope SF70 / TV Pronto / AP400QMD Coronado SolarMax40 DS / Bogen 055+3130
APM MC1610 / Tak FC-100 / AP1200GTO Tak Mewlon 250 / AP600EGTO
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Ok, thanks for your thoughtful response, Jeff. I'll increase magnification on better seeing days and see if I can bring the gap into play.
Thanks Mark and Rich. Rich, it's great seeing you posting again! The wax pencil is woodless and so old that I don't know what the brand is or where I got it. It melts if left out in the Sun, although if I had to compare it with anything, I'd say it looked like a cross between a watercolor pencil and an oil pastel stick. It's a wonderful little piece of kit and I'll miss it when I eventually run out of it. I'm sure I'll be able to find something similar at the Hobby Lobby if needed.
Here's the report from today in the solar forum. I didn't bother with close up prominence sketches. The view was interesting enough as a full disk.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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JimPie
sage
Reged: 11/10/07
Posts: 229
Loc: S.E.Michigan
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Quote:
I didn't bother with close up prominence sketches. The view was interesting enough as a full disk.
I'll say. Thats an incredible Sketch Erica!
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Jim
12.5",f=4.8 truss dob
EQ platform,24mm pan,14mm radian, vixen LVs
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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thank you Jim!
2009 May 19th report in the solar forum .
I had sketched the full disk with my colored Conte' crayons and it was so washed out and dusty that I threw it in the bin and started over again with my old faithful black and white sketch. It was like a breath of fresh air to switch back just in the short amount of time.
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22356
Loc: Ohio, USA
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solar report 2009 May 20
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Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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CarlosEH
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 4141
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Erika,
Excellent observations of the Sun showing the sunspot group AR 1017. The prominences and faculae are well rendered as well. Thank you for sharing them with us all.
Carlos
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