Telescope Reviews: How Well Does a Sketch Represent the Eyepiece View

Great demonstration, Jeremy!!!

I believe that there are a few mechanisms in our brain which handle the 'image processing'. My experience has thought me that patience is important while observing. I've learned to count not to much on 'first impressions' when it comes to observing. It looks like the brain works with a stacking mechanism in order to enhance the image. The human retina has a specific but varied structure. While looking through the eyepiece in different directions, the observed object is projected onto different area's of the retina. Some area's are very sensitive to low light while other area's provide sharper vision. The combined impressions gathered by these area's of the retina are processed by the brain into an enhanced image. Which make me think : What was the first impression, was it when I looked left, or was it when I looked up in the eyepiece? I don't know the answer. I've learned that the retina is very sensitive for 'objects in motion'. I find that the wiggling of the scope provides very usefull 'vision'. Which will not show on a first impression. The procedure of making a sketch also adds to the whole observing experience. While looking for anchor stars, the brain sub-consciously starts accumulating visual information about the eyepiece view. During this phase of the sketch, I use a lot of 'flashlight' to see my sketchpad. This large amount of light prevents my eyes to 'dark adapt'. Therefor only the brighter aspects of the desired object show up. While the sketch continues, I use lesser and lesser light. My eyes can see better now, and the object grows in my eyepiece. When it comes to the moment where no new visual information shows up, I start wiggling the scope. My retina is then stimulated by the movement and new information can be accumulated by the brain. The whole sketching process can take 20 minutes to one hour. So how valuable is the very first impression?

The visual information is then represented in a sketch. It is up to the sketchers taste to put emphasis or not to certain features of the observed object. My approach (and I don't say that this approach is the only way to go!!) is to try to represent the eyepiece view with all its subtle details. Here is where digital sketching comes in handy. I first draw features too bright on purpose on separate layers. Then I dimm the layers to the desired level. There is the risk that the occasional observer (this time the person that sees the sketch) misses the subtle details of the sketch. It happens that I turn out the lights in the room, sit back and relax in front of the monitor to evaluate and correct my new made sketch.

Just my two cents

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Rony

My Astronomical Sketches

My Binocular Sketches

Callibrate your Monitor with this little strip.