Moonwatch Evening/ A series of talks at the observatory – Ink in a Watercolour Moleskine
We visited this series of astronomical talks on Saturday night. It was held in the old observatory on Edinburgh’s Calton Hill. I had never gazed at any stars or planets through a telescope before so was looking forward to this part of the night. First of all we were “treated” to talks about infra red radiation, measuring astronomical distances and time using caesium isotopes. We also learned about comets, meteorites and meteors. I wondered if Margaret was thinking about divorce by the end of this but we finally viewed the moon and Jupiter (with three of her moons showing) through the hundred year old telescope. My scene is meant to represent the top, right hand side of the moon with Jupiter showing beyond. (I have moved Jupiter a few million miles left to get her into the page – artistic license!). I found the whole experience awe-inspiring and now want a huge telescope for my next birthday present. We were lucky. It had been stormy on Friday and more foul weather (very severe as it turned out) was forecast for late Saturday and Sunday. As the last of our group looked at the heavens a veil of cloud swept over the view and the moon she hid her secrets from us – until next time.
From The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
The moving Moon went up the sky.
And nowhere did abide;
Softly she was going up,
And a star or two beside-
By Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)
Melissa Graf 6:46 am on November 4, 2009 | #
Stunning. It makes me want to head outside and stare at the night sky.
KirbysArt 10:17 am on November 4, 2009 | #
Thats odd. I was on my way to teach karate yesterday evening, and I saw the moon rising from the horizon. It was huge in apperance, and almost twice as big as it normaly appears. I turned back to get my camera. By the time I left it shrunk back down.
Better luck next full moon.
Awesome drawing!!
~Kirby
Mhuire 11:25 am on November 4, 2009 | #
At first sight I thought it was an Earth view, and it remind me some shots from the film “Agora”(Alejandro Amenabar)
It is a very beautiful painting, and very original, too. Sometimes I’m a little lunatic, so I love that you painted the moon!!
trebor61 2:54 pm on November 4, 2009 | #
Melissa – thank you for this. I’m sitting here, in my wee studio, looking at the moon on a clear, frosty night. There is a “frost halo” surrounding it. Quite magical. I find that, as the years pass, I tend to look in more detail at things ans, hopefully, see more. Nip outside at look at the same moon, wherever you are.
Kirby – Isn’t that just like the thing. This happens to me all the time. Thanks for the nice words. – Bob
Mhuire – Strange you mentioning films when discussing the moon. One of my favourite films is “Hobson’s Choice” starring Charles Laughton. The scene where a drunken Hobson follows the moon, reflected in a puddle, then falls into a cellar is terrific. Don’t apologise for the effects of the moon. It influences us all. Thank you for your kind comments.
Pinkjasper 9:03 pm on November 4, 2009 | #
I like it. Outer space would be a good subject to “explore”.
mick statham 2:32 am on November 5, 2009 | #
I can almost hear the Blue Danube (that’s a 2001 reference for those old enough to remember).
trebor61 2:45 pm on November 5, 2009 | #
Do you want me to put “Outer Space” in the monthly challenge jar, Sophie?
Mick – I’m old enough to remember seeing this at the cinema. These were the days when computers were different (Hall) and vindictive
Pinkjasper 3:40 pm on November 5, 2009 | #
Sure, why not?
Nuria 3:44 pm on November 5, 2009 | #
(English):
Good work and curious history
—ooo—
(Español):
Buen trabajo y curiosa historia.
trebor61 4:10 pm on November 5, 2009 | #
Sophie – Job Done!
Thanks you 
Nuria –