Article by Erika Rix Subject: Mars Issue: March 2012 Astronomy Now Basic Media: Charcoal on white stock Featured Technique: Using charcoal and blending techniques to sketch Mars Suggested Sketching Materials: Clipboard with white acid-free drawing paper Assortment of compressed charcoal in pencil…
Positive Sketch of Messier 1 Click image to view larger version. Original Negative Sketch of Messier 1 Click image to view larger version. Subject: Messier 1 Issue: February 2012 Astronomy Now Basic Media: Graphite on white stock Featured Technique: Reasons and methods…
Article by Peter Grego Subject: Motion of Mars Issue: January 2012 Astronomy Now Basic Media: Graphite on white stock Featured Technique: Tracking Mars’ motion across the stars Suggested Sketching Materials: Printer and white paper (to print observing blanks from your planetarium program)…
Article by Erika Rix Subject: Eratosthenes Crater Issue: December 2011 Astronomy Now Basic Media: Charcoal on white stock Featured Technique: Detailed Lunar terrain sketching with charcoal Suggested Sketching Materials: Clipboard and white, acid-free drawing paper Assortment of compressed charcoal in pencil and…
Article by Peter Grego Subject: Galilean Moons Issue: October 2011 Astronomy Now Basic Media: Graphite on white stock Featured Technique: Capturing the movements of the Galilean Moons Suggested Sketching Materials: Red flashlight A5 sketchpad (100 gsm smooth white paper, pre-drawn 125 mm…
Article by Peter Grego Subject: Jupiter Issue: September 2011 Astronomy Now Basic Media: Graphite on white stock Featured Technique: Capturing Jupiter’s dynamic appearance Suggested Sketching Materials: Jupiter blank printed on smooth white paper (preferably at least 100 gsm) HB, 2B and 4B…
Some lively discussion erupted recently on the Amastro email list about what constitutes a proper astronomical sketch. The spark for the conversation was this remarkably detailed sketch of M101: http://www.klima-luft.de/steinicke/M101.htm Although the example sketch is posted to Wolfgang Steinicke’s site, this is…
Digital Illustrations of the International Space Station – August 28/29, 2012 – 0225 UT Observation Notes: I’ve had fun grabbing photographs of the International Space Station through the telescope, but until recently, I hadn’t managed any visual observations. This week I got…
It was just a month ago that I had the pleasure of meeting Neil Armstrong in person and listening to him speak–he was vibrant, focused, and inspiring. Sadly, it turned out to be his last public appearance. He passed away this weekend…
A first light celebration for the Discovery Channel Telescope was held Saturday night (July 21, 2012). The company I work for is a sponsor of Lowell Observatory and I was one of the four people representing us there. The special treat of…