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PhilH
sage
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 232
Loc: Long Island, NY
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Inspired by Rony's sketches and the modicum of success I had with my recent M101 sketch, I thought I'd try my luck with two other objects viewed the other night through my 20x80 binoculars.
First, here is M27. Comments and suggestions gratefully accepted... 
--------------------
Phil Harrington
"Binocular Universe" Columnist, Astronomy magazine
Author: Star Ware || Star Watch || Touring the Universe through Binoculars || et al...
http://www.philharrington.net
http://www.observingsites.com
"Two eyes are better than one!"
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PhilH
sage
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 232
Loc: Long Island, NY
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And M29...
--------------------
Phil Harrington
"Binocular Universe" Columnist, Astronomy magazine
Author: Star Ware || Star Watch || Touring the Universe through Binoculars || et al...
http://www.philharrington.net
http://www.observingsites.com
"Two eyes are better than one!"
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frank5817
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 3005
Loc: Illinois
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Phil,
These are beautiful sketches. It would be great if you pulled some strings over at Astronomy Magazine and incude your sketches and others such as done by Rony DeLaet, Carlos Hernandez, Sol Robbins, Eric Graff, Rich Handy (Kraterkid), Jeremy Perez and others now and again. I do recall seeing a few over the years by yourself and Jeremy and I believe even Carlos but sketches can complement astrophotographs quite nicely. Well, that's my humble opinion anyway. O.K. I'll get off my soapbox now.
Frank 
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Tommy5
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/28/04
Posts: 1382
Loc: Chicagoland
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Very realistic looking M-29, you must have fairly dark skies to see this dso so clearly, thanks for posting.
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rodelaet
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 2632
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Phil,
I think you are doing a great job with your digital renderings! 
I would not even think that these are only your first digital renderings at all. Keep up the good work! 
M27 : I observed it with my 8x56, I saw a little blob, the rectangular form was not noted.
M29 : looks similar but much smaller, to the point that one can overlook it. I believe I can fit M29 nicely in the gamma Cygni starfield, together wit a few other clusters in the 8x56.
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Rony
My Astronomy Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
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PhilH
sage
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 232
Loc: Long Island, NY
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Thanks everyone, I appreciate the kind words. To answer Frank's suggestion, in fact what's prompted me to pursue all this at this time is to create sketches for a new observing guide that I'm doing called The Cosmic Challenge. I much prefer drawings to photos simply because of their realism. This book will contain some 200 objects, so I have a lot of sketches to do (or redo).
I like the idea of including drawings with my binocular column, as well. Unfortunately, I only have so much room in the magazine -- one illustration, which must be a map. But I always do an accompanying "on-line extra" piece that's available to subscribers on Astronomy.com. I can certainly see throwing in sketches there, since space is not an issue.
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Phil Harrington
"Binocular Universe" Columnist, Astronomy magazine
Author: Star Ware || Star Watch || Touring the Universe through Binoculars || et al...
http://www.philharrington.net
http://www.observingsites.com
"Two eyes are better than one!"
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rodelaet
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 2632
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Phil,
That new book of yours sound interesting. Pardon my ignorance, but you're not observing from New York city, I presume? I wonder what kind of scope you'll use for your new book?
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Rony
My Astronomy Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
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PhilH
sage
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 232
Loc: Long Island, NY
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Quote:
...you're not observing from New York city, I presume? I wonder what kind of scope you'll use for your new book?
Thank goodness, no!! I live on Long Island, which juts out into the Atlantic more than 125 miles/200 km east of New York City. I live about halfway out. My typical skies have a NELM of about 5, although humidity at this time of year can drop that by a full magnitude on "clear" nights.
The new book will present 200 observing challenges using a wide variety of equipment. I'll have naked-eye challenges, binocular challenges, all the way to things that are tough to see through 20-inch/51-cm apertures. Some of the challenges require dark skies, while others can be done in the middle of a city provided seeing conditions permit. The idea is that there will be something in it for everyone.
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Phil Harrington
"Binocular Universe" Columnist, Astronomy magazine
Author: Star Ware || Star Watch || Touring the Universe through Binoculars || et al...
http://www.philharrington.net
http://www.observingsites.com
"Two eyes are better than one!"
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BobinKy
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/27/07
Posts: 929
Loc: Country road
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Phil--
Your sketches are great.
. . .
And your upcoming book sounds even greater. Given the increasing popularity of the Maksutov Cassegrain -- Compound w/ GoTo -- there would probably be a lot of interest in sketches made from a Meade ETX eyepiece.
Thank you again for posting your work and telling us about your next project--so we can clear a space on our book shelf. 
. . .
You are certainly a person of many talents.
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Bob
38° Kentucky, USA
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PhilH
sage
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 232
Loc: Long Island, NY
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Thanks, Bob, you're very kind. When you write a book, you apparently have to be an author *and* an illustrator. At least, that's been my experience with each of my books. I'm not sure what other authors do, but since I'm an engineer and mechanical designer by schooling and experience, I prefer it this way.
(BTW, it must be a family thing, as my younger brother, Steve is a full-time freelance graphic illustrator.)
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Phil Harrington
"Binocular Universe" Columnist, Astronomy magazine
Author: Star Ware || Star Watch || Touring the Universe through Binoculars || et al...
http://www.philharrington.net
http://www.observingsites.com
"Two eyes are better than one!"
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rolandlinda3
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/24/06
Posts: 1593
Loc: Crozet VA 22932
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Phil, really tickled to see you posting sketches and like this one. Hope you post more.
Roland
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