Sketch of M104: Demezla Ramakers --- Photo Image of Sombrero: APOD

Location: Valkenburg, The Netherlands Date: May 7, 2008 Time: 0:00 hour Telescope: 8" Dobson Magnification: 40x Conditions: "The seeing and transparancy where both very good that night."

Above is Demezla's sketch of M104 (the Sombrero galaxy or NGC 4594), NGC 4700 and Iris as seen through her Sky-Watcher 8" Dobson. Sketching is not only fun, easy but a great benefit says Demezla,

"Sketching deepsky objects is a great addition for your observation logs. Not only [do] you observe the objects a lot better, but it's also handy and fun to use as reference or to compare. And sketching doesn't have to be difficult! There are many ways to make sketches."
    - Demezla Ramakers

Photo Image of M3: APOD --- Sketch of M3: Demezla Ramakers

Having interfaced the computer with the hobby, I've nearly forgotten what it's like to just have some simple fun so I decided to follow Demezla's guidelines and see for myself. I've always leaned towards the artistic side of astro imagery, which never required drawing outside in the dark, so I was a little surprised to find Demezla's information, seemingly obvious at first, hitting home. In particular:

"I prefer to make a quick sketch outside with a regular HB pencil and make a final sketch inside the day after."

"Before you make you're sketch, mark the north and westside in the circle with N and W. The side where you see the object disappear in you're eyepiece is the west. It depends on the sort of telescope you use which side is north. In reflectors you find the north always left of the west (see picture). If you are going to sketch a galaxy, you mark the position with a line so you can use it as reference and draw the stars in the right places."
    - Demezla Ramakers

My second sketch


Well Demezla, my second attempt was a much cleaner (and readable) image than the first!

For a complete overview and some real great tips for sketching your astronomical observations visit Demezla's web site and read this page - Sketching the DeepSky and to see more of Demezla's sketches drop by Over Here