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Astrophotography and Sketching >> Sketching

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frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06

Loc: Illinois
Mid-Moon Craters
      #3087762 - 05/06/09 01:10 AM Attachment (41 downloads)



With the moon just past first quarter, many beautiful, deep craters near the center of the lunar-earth facing side standout in shadowed relief. Among those visible were the famous trio of Alphonsus, Ptolemaeus and Arzachel. During this observation I selected Arzachel (96 km.) and neighbor Alpetragius (41 km.) for sketching. Both of these craters were on display about 200 kilometers from the terminator shadow line. Arzachel is the southern most of the above mentioned trio. It is a lower Imbrium impact depression and in addition it is floor fractured. Central to the crater floor is a fine mountain projecting one and a half kilometers above the floor. Also on the floor of the crater is Arzachel A (10 km.) with light shimmering off its illuminated rim. Part of Rimae Arzachel was visible as a bright edge rille which partly paralleled the floor shadow cast by the northeastern rim.
Alpetragius the smaller, older crater (Nectarian) has a very large round mountain covering most of the crater floor. Just the tip of this mountain was catching the first rays of morning sun as I began this sketch.

Sketching:

For this sketch I used: black Strathmore 400 Artagain paper 8”x 8”, white and black Conte’ pastel pencils and a blending stump. After scanning, Brightness was decreased (-2) using my scanner.

Telescope: 4.25 inch f/10 equatorial and 6 mm at 180x
Date: 5-3-2009, 0:50 - 1:40 UT
Temperature: 13°C (55° F)
hazy, high thin clouds, calm
Seeing: Antoniadi III
Colongitude 11.2 °
Lunation 7.9 days
Illumination: 63 %


Frank McCabe


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kraterkid
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Reged: 03/07/05

Loc: Jacumba, California
Re: Mid-Moon Craters new [Re: frank5817]
      #3088744 - 05/06/09 03:29 PM

Absolutely astonishing sketch Frank! The detail of the terracing in the crater walls is gorgeous. Fantastic capture of the central peak and floor of Arzachel. Wonderful observing report!

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Tom Machtemes
super member
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Reged: 06/09/08

Loc: Evergreen Park, Ill.
Re: Mid-Moon Craters new [Re: frank5817]
      #3088754 - 05/06/09 03:35 PM

Frank,

Very nice sketch, keep them comming.



Tom.


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rodelaet
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Reged: 04/28/06

Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
Re: Mid-Moon Craters new [Re: frank5817]
      #3089015 - 05/06/09 06:10 PM

Beautiful and very crisp, Frank!

So many details captured in this sketch, great work.


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CarlosEH
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Reged: 01/19/05

Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
Re: Mid-Moon Craters new [Re: rodelaet]
      #3089211 - 05/06/09 07:52 PM

Frank,

A wonderful observation and report of Arzachel and Alpetragius. You have captured the layered walls and shadows very nicely. Thank you for sharing it with us all.

Carlos


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frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06

Loc: Illinois
Re: Mid-Moon Craters new [Re: CarlosEH]
      #3089319 - 05/06/09 08:36 PM

Rich, Tom, Rony and Carlos,

Thank you all for the kind words about my sketch of Arzachel/Alpetragius. It has been a long while since I had used this old telescope, after cleaning the optics I wanted to see what I could see.

Frank


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rolandlinda3
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Reged: 01/24/06

Loc: Crozet VA 22932
Re: Mid-Moon Craters new [Re: frank5817]
      #3089359 - 05/06/09 09:00 PM

very nice sketch, Frank, and makes me smile as I look at it. By the way, before we left on our trip I was pointing out your sketch of a crater (have it posted in our sky shed along with several other sketchers' works) and got the typical question: is that a photograph?? Of course, I answered in the negative and said that a sketch is better than a photograph!!

Roland


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JayinUT
I'm not Sleepy
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Reged: 09/19/08

Re: Mid-Moon Craters new [Re: rolandlinda3]
      #3090116 - 05/07/09 08:52 AM

Frank,

Excellent! I like the contrasts in the craters of light and dark and your details are captivating.


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frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06

Loc: Illinois
Re: Mid-Moon Craters new [Re: JayinUT]
      #3090159 - 05/07/09 09:28 AM

Roland and Jay,

Thank you both for your kind comments. I really enjoy astrophotos too but I find that I would rather browse astosketches for enjoyment the way you do Roland.

Frank


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Tommy5
Carpal Tunnel


Reged: 03/28/04

Loc: Chicagoland
Re: Mid-Moon Craters new [Re: frank5817]
      #3091454 - 05/07/09 09:20 PM

Great sketch Frank, the lunar terminator is an exciting place to observe in both large and small telescopes, thanks for sharing.

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frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06

Loc: Illinois
Re: Mid-Moon Craters new [Re: Tommy5]
      #3091745 - 05/08/09 12:08 AM

T5,

Thank you for those words. You are correct of course; it does not matter the size of the scope. Great views are possible along the terminator using any size scope.

Frank


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cildarithModerator
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 08/26/04

Loc: San Diego, CA
Re: Mid-Moon Craters new [Re: frank5817]
      #3091775 - 05/08/09 12:40 AM

Excellent report and sketch of Arzachel and Alpetragius, Frank!

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frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06

Loc: Illinois
Re: Mid-Moon Craters new [Re: cildarith]
      #3091802 - 05/08/09 01:14 AM

Eric,

Thank you for your nice comments about my sketch and report.
I really miss those lunar sketches you did a couple of years back in that pale yellow color. You will need to draw a few more of those when you get a chance.

Frank


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