Reiner, R Gamma, Lohrmann, Hevelius,Cavalerius

March 31st 2007 21:30UT – 22:54UT
200mm/8mmTVP/2XBarlow/304X
300mm Daler Rowney paper, Soft Pastels,
Conte Crayons, Scraper tool.
Seeing 2/Transparancy Average
Lunation 12.84 days/ Illumination 97.2%
53.2000ºN, 6.1000º W
Image Rotated 180 degrees

I got some small scraping tools, like for metal etching. These are not as tiny as I would like them to be. They are sharp also, so not ideal for using on a paper surface.

I used one for making the fine edges on the ridged outer walls of Hevelius and for that long ridge which runs through Oceanus Procellarum.


Every time I look to do a sketch of the lunar surface, there has to be a something, a trigger to set me off. Saturday night was the clearest steadiest view I have had for a long time. Reiner Gamma, that little kite shape did it for me and got me and started this sketch.


I first drew in Renier to give me the position of Reiner Gamma. All the while I kept an eye on the Lohrmann, Hevelius, Cavalerius trio as the dark dark, shadows poured from them and the suns light gave them new form. They were irresistible so I move on to them and took great delight in their rich contrast.

Lohrman A and Herman next and these gave me a kick of point for to sketch in that long ridge which sweeps up past Rener Gamma and on toward Marius.

Reiner Gamma seemed flat, even though the central region appeared a little duller that its edges which seemed to glow slightly.

I was please afterwards to notice that I had sketched in Galilaei, as I have been writing about him recently.

Aristarchus and and Vallis Schroter looked incredible as the seeing improved and the time ticked to local midnight. I was feeling a little damp and cold, my telescope was dripping wet so I finished it then.

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