Wednesday, 18 April 2018

The crow ship returns.



"Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them"
Marcus Aurelius.


Recently, whilst spying Algeiba through the Maksutov, I noticed to the south west and low over a nearby roof top, that familiar of constellations "Corvus" the raven, or crow as it is also called.  

It is also known as the "Spanker" due to its resemblance to a type of boat sail.  

The constellation may be named Corvus, but to my eyes, it looks nothing like a big black bird!


Few of the constellations take on the actual shape they depict, but in the case of the "Spanker" the stargazers of old were spot on.  


Is that a spanker sail.? maybe~maybe not!

It's good to see Corvus again, a sure sign that summer will soon be calling.



Opera glass to the Moon

I didn't manage to sketch the recent Full Moon, but I had a go at the gibbous Moon, as seen with my opera glasses.  It was a cold night,...