PCW Memorial Observatory – Erika Rix

2005 02 16
Stofler

With the trepidation of sharing my first sketch at the eyepiece, I have hopes that you’ll overlook my lack of artistry and take the sketch for what it’s worth….a view of Stofler and the surrounding area as I saw it tonight at 04:24 UT.

While looking at my VMA program this evening, I knew straight away that I wanted to try sketching Stofler (Rukl 65). And once I saw it through the scope, it was so brilliant with light play that I wasn’t disappointed with my choice. I brought out my Rukl as normal, but didn’t bother opening it. I wasn’t interested in anything else tonight (except Orion and looking at the Nebula with my binoculars while Paul was showing his dad the scope).

Stofler itself was darkened, especially on the Eastern half. Through my scope, it looked like a clown face:
Stofler F was the eye (Southern part of Stofler, 18×18 km crater)
Stofler E was the nose (Next crater to the South/Southeast beside F, 16x16km). E looked larger than F with the light play…or should I say shadow play?
Stofler P was the upper lip (33x33km crater East of F)
Faraday C was the lower lip (30x30km crater East of P)
Fernelius and Fernelius A were NNW of Stofler.
The rim of Stofler K (19x19km crater) is just visable between Stofler and Fernelius.

I believe what got me most, besides the dramatic wide white rims of the Stofler walled plain on the Western edge, was the darkness of Stofler D (54x54km, South of Stofler, West of E). And once I came inside to check my findings against my VMA program, the lighting really made it look different than my sketch, which excited me more.

I viewed at 116.7x magnification. I’m sure I’m not mistaken about Stofler E & F. They stuck out like sore thumbs with the scope. But at 18km and 16km, it took me back a little that I could see them so well. Anyway, Tim I used your rain paper and my LED headlamp, my velveteen Rukl played the role of desktop on my lap. I didn’t bother to blend my sketch as I was just excited that I could actually use it for reference!