[Lvas] M-2 Excellent Sketch

[roger ivester]

RE: Stephen O'Meara The Messier Objects, Sky Publishing Corporation, Cambridge University Press. 308 pages, hardback.

 

Rob, thanks for presenting this sketch. Our benchmark for sure. 

 

Excellent sketch of M-2 presented on the LVAS Observers Challenge, August object. This is a fabulous sketch by Stephen O'Meara. Remember, he was using an older TV 4-inch f/5 Genesis, using only two eyepieces: a 22mm Panoptic and a 7mm Nagler. A 1.8x factor barlow was also employed, and the scope lacked an equatorial mount. Location was Volcano Hawaii at an altitude of 3600 feet  

 

Many feel that his sketches represent what might be visible to most with a 12-inch or larger scope. His sketch of M-51 and companion would rival the view of a 20-inch, but remember he was the first person to visually locate and see Halley's Comet. Stephen is probably one of the most skilled visual observers of this age. 

 

He also draws spiral structure in M-74...again using the 4-inch.

 

If you have a copy of Stephens book there is a reference to one club having a combination cycling race and observing competition. That was right here in Boiling Springs, North Carolina in 1994. It consisted of a 13 mile individual bicycle time trial and a sealed envelope from James Mullaney with 15 secret deep-sky objects. We had to make a written note and description of each object. 

 

I was fortunate to win this crazy competition, winning both the individual TT, and also located the 15 secret Deep-Sky objects, all under one hour. This was the total cumulative time for both of the events. 

 

I was a little reluctant to tell you this story...but since O'Meara was aware of it and actually mentioned it in his book, I thought it to be OK. 

 

I could have actually have made a brief sketch of each object and would have still won the event. Tom English thought that he had it in the bag before the event started, but I had a surprise for him. All of the participates were laughing and having a great time, and we went to a locate restaurant for a very late dinner following the event.

 

Crazy things like this you never forget. 

 

Roger         

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
    The moon and stars to govern the night.....   Psalm 136:9




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