kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Hi folks,
Here's my latest "sketch" in the Lunar Observing Forum.
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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I finally got a cheap webcam so I could do a fly over of my clay sketch of Archimedes and environs, here is "Landing in Archimedes" . Please forgive the shaky grip and bad lighting.
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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rolandlinda3
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/24/06
Posts: 2233
Loc: Crozet VA 22932
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Rich, looks beautiful to me. Kept going back. Kept smiling.
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Roland
Sketches in members galleries: rolandlinda3
Inspirational stories/sketches at:
www.christworksministries.org
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Thanks Roland, 
Just wish the lens housing was smaller so I could get a view closer to the surface, a little closer to what it would look like if you were surveying the scene from the surface.
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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JayinUT
I'm not Sleepy
Reged: 09/19/08
Posts: 950
Loc: Utah
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Rich,
I will be unoriginal but simply amazing. I love the use of light on the sculpture and the effect it has. Love it! Are you going to do more?
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Jay in Utah
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Location: Lat: 40.514N Long: -112.032W
Mortal as I am, I know that I am born for a day. But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the earth.
— Ptolemy, c.150 AD
My Blog
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4093
Loc: Illinois
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Rich,
You could have told us you were tired of waiting for NASA to return to the moon so you took it upon yourself to just go there.  Really, really cool stuff Rich.    How large is this clay model and is it light enough to move? 
When you get some more time I wish you would continue with these sculptures. This is very impressive.
Frank 
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my gallery
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Thanks Jay and Frank!
Jay, I'm working on one now of the Montes Riphaeus that is about twice this size. Then I'm planning on doing a huge clay sculpture of Mare Nectaris, but expect that one to take several observing sessions to fully complete. I'll be doing fly overs of each when I finish the reliefs.
Frank, sketching the Moon using modeling clay is such a kick and the added benefit of being able to adjust the lighting later to simulate different lunar days is incredible. Add to that the fun of playing with the webcam trying to keep the field of view within the model in order to create a movie and I think you can see how addictive this can become. The model is 13" x 11" and weighs about 8 pounds.
I'm hoping to try some new techniques of guiding the webcam along the viewing trajectory to make all the motions as smooth as possible. Any suggestions from folks who have tried similar projects would be greatly appreciated.
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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Tommy5
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/28/04
Posts: 1824
Loc: Chicagoland
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That is very ,very, cool thanks for sharing.
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Thanks Tommy!
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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Jef De Wit
super member
Reged: 03/06/09
Posts: 125
Loc: Hove, Belgium
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Rich, I'm deeply impressed. I send your piece of art to the mailing list of my astroclub. In a post some days ago I asked it was possible to work in 3-D. I think your model is a definitive answer!
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Clear skies, Jef De Wit
7x50 bino, Meade ETX-70 & Orion Optics UK 12" Dobson
"Bright skies aren't empty skies" (James Mallaney)
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Aldebaran
super member
Reged: 09/30/06
Posts: 105
Loc: Turku, Finland
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Wow, very impressive work, Rich! It's amazing how accurately you have rendered all the details in that area of the Moon!
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Juha
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Instruments:
10'' Newton
3'' Lens (RFT)
7x18 Binos
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http://juhansivut.pp.fi/Deepsky (my deep sky pages)
Taivaanpallo (my amateur astronomy blog in finnish)
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Thanks so much Jef and Juha!
This kind of sketch, although it does take some preparation, is very rewarding. I think anyone who can sketch the Moon can create a clay sketch. Just takes a little practice and time at the scope. I'm waiting for the right lighting to start my next one, but I am so excited about doing it again.
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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perfessor
sage
Reged: 12/30/07
Posts: 499
Loc: Northern Illinois
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Rich, that's awesome. I want to see more!
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Tom
"Don't always know what I'm talkin about"
8" f/7
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Thanks Tom!
I'll definitely be doing more clay sketches and fly overs with the webcam, they have actually opened a whole new way of looking at the Moon for me. I enjoy the challenge of interpreting the topography at the eyepiece from the shadows cast and the sculpting of the model on the spot. I really want to encourage others to give this a try, it is a real kick!
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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GlennLeDrew
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/18/08
Posts: 1296
Loc: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Neat!
As a first attempt at getting smoother motions for your fly-throughs, how about creating a 'track' from stiff wire (such as hanger wire, as can be found in any DIY store). The scale of your models is small enough that the supports may need only be a post at each end of the 'track'. The webcam could hang by a simple loop of (not-so-stiff) wire, the loop being just large enough to allow some degree of rotation for those creativs pans while 'flying'.
It would still require some steadiness on your part, but at least one degree of freedom would be made smoother.
I'd love to see more of this!!
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Home-made 11X50 right angle bino, 8.1 deg. FOV
Modified 26X100 bino, 3.5 deg. FOV
Home-made Mk II RA bino, using interchangeable objectives and eyepieces
My Gallery
Mediocre minds discuss people. Good minds discuss events. Great minds discuss ideas.
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Thanks Glenn!
Great idea, I wasn't able to locate any stiff wire around the house, so I tried another technique. I affixed the webcam to the end of a long wooden dowel and slowly moved the model around underneath it. it's still a little jerky, but it's a big improvement over my first efforts. Here's the new video, "Flying over Archimedes and environs" . I'm going to try your suggestions when I get a chance to pick up the right guide wire. A friend of mine wants to try mounting the webcam to a battery powered motor from a toy car and enable the cam to ride the wire loop. How exciting and addictive this has become! 
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4093
Loc: Illinois
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Rich,
Great work! The close up detail in this model is fantastic. The videocam doing the fly over simulation adds a whole new wonderful dimension to this clay model and its well made detailed appearance.
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my gallery
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Thanks Frank!
This is such a cool way to sketch. I thought I'd try one of Copernicus and environs soon, maybe tomorrow night or the next, then I'm going to do one of the Montes Ripheaus. I want to do something larger because it's easier to keep the webcam within the area of the model. I've got enough clay to do one 20" x 20". I'm just not sure I'll be able to do that in one session. I learned a new trick too. I use 1/2" thick Elmers foam core board and lay a 1/4" thick clay layer over it. I discovered that if you take a wet sponge and coat one side of the core board with it, it causes the board to become concave on one side and convex on the other. This is perfect because it simulates the radius of curvature of the Moon. So the next model will have the benefit of this added dimension as well, something I am eager to incorporate into these clay sketches.
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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 Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 4306
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Rich,
You have kicked imaging and sketching up a whole notch with these sculptures--absolutely fascinating. Don't be too modest--this not something just anyone could do. What is needed is a good eye, good hands, and a thorough knowledge of Luna.
I hope you have submitted your sculptures to LPOD.
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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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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4093
Loc: Illinois
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Michael,
Check out the LPOD for August 2, 2009. You have been very busy getting ready for school and missed it.
Frank
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my gallery
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Thanks so much Michael!
It helps to keep a playful attitude about this approach. I do agree though, doing these with realism means applying my best understanding of lunar topography and surficial albedo. It's really amazing how it seems to combine the sketching aspects of shape and contour with the sense of depth that you are determining from the shading that you see at the eyepiece. But keeping it realistic means avoiding exaggerated vertical dimensions, something that is easy to do because of the long shadows near the terminator. That's why I prefer lunar mid morning or mid afternoon light on the features I am sketch sculpting. Funny that when I first tried this medium I did not think it would be possible to do this at the scope.
I was honored to have my clay sketch of Archimedes and environs posted by Charles Wood for the August 2nd, 2009 LPOD. Oops, Frank beat me to it!  Thanks Frank! 
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 4093
Loc: Illinois
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Rich,
Sorry I should have waited to let you answer Michael.
This has been a great month of excitment for you thinking about all the potential here with a very unique way of representing the eyepiece view of the lunar surface. Your idea of warping the base of your next attempt to simulate lunar curvature will add additional realism.
I hope you have clear skies for your next adventure.
Frank
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my gallery
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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That's cool Frank, I appreciate the thought.
I'm going out tonight, perhaps I'll try Copernicus, including the Montes Carpatus, Eratosthenes, and Reinhold. Lots going on in the area, it'll definitely be a real challenge. Like I said though, it may take more than one session to complete. We've had some flow of moisture from Mexico today, I just hope it stays clear at night.
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 4306
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Rich and Frank,
Thanks for the link and congratulations on the LPOD, Rich. I never seem to be able to keep up with all the fine work posted here, much less comment on them, but I would have hated to miss this one. Looking forward to more lunar sculptures.
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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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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Thanks Michael,
Unfortunately, I didn't get out early enough to start my clay sketch of Copernicus and environs, so I did some imaging of the area instead and called it a night. Perhaps tonight.
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Rich
My CN 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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Rich,
This IS fun! 
The sketch is fenomenal.
The lighting is great and the details and colors are stunning.
Can you do a take-off sequence also? That would be great too.
I imagine you're running around the house in a space suit? 
Is anyone planning to do the Andromeda galaxy as well? Would be fun too, from a deep-sky observer's perspective.
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Rony
My Astronomical Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
Callibrate your Monitor with this little strip.
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Thanks Rony!
So happy you enjoyed the clay sketch and vids. I'll try to set one up for a take off, that'll be fun. I'd like to be wearing a space suit, sometimes it gets pretty hot and muggy in Jacumba. Why don't you do a 3D andromeda sketch? I don't think anyone has done that yet.
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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Jef De Wit
super member
Reged: 03/06/09
Posts: 125
Loc: Hove, Belgium
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Rich
After I sended the link of your clay sketch, I had some enthousiast reactions from the members of my astroclub. We are going to organise probably a project-night to make a sculpture of a mooncrater. But we are looking for a solution to those who haven't a telescope with a motordrive. I think it is better not to touch the telescope with your hands full of clay... Thanks a lot for this great idea!
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Clear skies, Jef De Wit
7x50 bino, Meade ETX-70 & Orion Optics UK 12" Dobson
"Bright skies aren't empty skies" (James Mallaney)
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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That's wonderful news Jef, and thank you for forwarding the link. You can tape some paper around the tube so as not to get any clay residue on the scopes. Also, buy the oil based modeling clay that does not get dry, that way you can reuse the clay for other sketching projects. The kind of clay that hardens or is used for firing is generally much more messy to use.
I'm delighted your club has decided to try this medium and very eagerly await your results, so please post them when complete.
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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Jef De Wit
super member
Reged: 03/06/09
Posts: 125
Loc: Hove, Belgium
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Rich, thanks for the idea to use synthetic clay. This may convince those who doesn't like that their telescope will be a little bit dirty.
I'm not a regular moonobserver. Do you have any suggestion which crater to take (and when) for the project?
And off course I will post the results on this forum...
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Clear skies, Jef De Wit
7x50 bino, Meade ETX-70 & Orion Optics UK 12" Dobson
"Bright skies aren't empty skies" (James Mallaney)
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Hi Jef,
I think a good crater to start with would be Copernicus, Though any large crater near the center of Luna should work just fine. Eratosthenes, and Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus, or Arzachel. Just try picking craters that are within 15-20 degrees of the Moon's center so that they are not too elliptical or difficult to interpret. As far as times are concerned, since the Moon is already just past full, you might want to wait until around last quarter which will mean a late night or early morning sketch. Otherwise you'll have to wait until around first quarter which is a couple of weeks away. I'm very much looking forward to seeing your club's results!
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Rich
My CN Gallery
Edited by kraterkid (09/04/09 09:26 PM)
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Jef De Wit
super member
Reged: 03/06/09
Posts: 125
Loc: Hove, Belgium
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Hi Rich
The date hasn't been schedulded yet. It should be something for beginning 2010...
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Clear skies, Jef De Wit
7x50 bino, Meade ETX-70 & Orion Optics UK 12" Dobson
"Bright skies aren't empty skies" (James Mallaney)
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Dee
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/12/06
Posts: 738
Loc: Ireland
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Outstanding , superb , never seen anything like it before.
Dee
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Posts: 4566
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Thanks so much Dee! It certainly was a totally fun project and one that I was surprised would work out so well. The next one I do will incorporate some new ideas that I've had about laying the clay out on a spherical section. I discovered quite by accident that the Elmer foam core board I use will become convex if water is applied to one side of the board and it is left in the sun to dry. This will work great to simulate the radius of curvature of the Moon. I encourage your experimentation with this media.
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Rich
My CN Gallery
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