Welcome to My Astronomy Sketching World
Hi there, welcome to my website. Here you will find out a little bit about me, a little bit about astronomy and art together.
You can contact me at [email protected] to ask a question or to invite me to give a talk or workshop like Deadly Moons for your group.
Lunar Observation Sketches
My lunar sketching journey began in 2006 and continues to this day. There's something magical about observing our closest celestial neighbor through a telescope and capturing its features with pastels and paper.
Each sketch session teaches me something new about lunar geology, lighting conditions, and the art of observational drawing.
Lunar Maria Observed
- Mare Imbrium (Sea of Rains)
- Mare Serenitatis (Sea of Serenity)
- Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility)
- Mare Crisium (Sea of Crises)
- Mare Fecunditatis (Sea of Fecundity)
- Oceanus Procellarum (Ocean of Storms)
Prominent Craters Sketched
- Tycho (with ray system)
- Copernicus
- Kepler
- Aristarchus
- Plato
- Clavius
- Langrenus
Lunar Phases Sketches
Recent Lunar Observations
Location: Michael O'Connell's observatory, Co Kildare
Equipment: Meade 16" (FL 4000mm), 22mm Nagler eyepiece (181X)
Conditions: Transparency Poor, Seeing 6/10
Sketch: Pastels on black paper, 39 minutes observation
Event: Saturn Occultation by Moon
Location: Bray, Co Wicklow
Equipment: 200mm Reflector, 10mm eyepiece (120X)
Sketch: Pastels on 300gm paper, quilling needle for details
Observed Saturn disappearing and reappearing from behind lunar limb
Event: Venus Occultation Egress
Location: Greystones, Co Wicklow
Equipment: Meade LX 90 (FL 2000mm), 35mm eyepiece (57X)
Conditions: Freezing temperatures
Sketch: Pastels/Conte on FineArt Pastel Velour Paper
Featured on Astronomy Sketch of the Day and Spaceweather.com
What's Up Video Series
The What's Up video series has become a Silver Award Winner in the 2008 W3 Awards competition. The award honors creative excellence on the Internet.
Congratulations to Jane Houston Jones and her team, many thanks for 2008.
Watch out for all the What's Up's coming for International Year of Astronomy 2009.
Venus Occultation Egress Sketch
Meade LX 90 FL 2000mm, 35mm eyepiece = 57X. Greystones, Co Wicklow. Pastels/Conte on FineArt Pastel Velour Paper. 15:35 - 17:10 approx (too cold to time with any great regard).
As it got darker more and more detail became visible on the crescent moon. Between finishing the Venus vanishing sketch and the reemergence of Venus I put as much lunar detail as possible in the time and under the conditions as I could.
The view as Venus once again sparkled like a diamond stuck on the moon was stunning. I quickly placed the planet as accurately as I could and then continued to enjoy the view along with Philip Lardner, Michael Murphy, Aubrey Glazier, and Keith Derney.
This sketch made it to Astronomy Sketch of the Day, Spaceweather.com and Sydney Observatory Astronomy Blog on December 3rd, 2008.
Solar Prominence Animation
Solar Prominence Animation of five sketches by Deirdre Kelleghan. May 15th 2008 10:15 UT - 19:50 UT. PST 40X Soft Pastels. Animated by Sally Russell.
Deadly Moons
"Deadly Moons" is one of my most popular and engaging educational workshops. It's a deep dive into the dramatic, violent, and awe-inspiring geology of the moons in our Solar System—worlds far removed from our own peaceful, familiar Moon.
This interactive talk and drawing workshop focuses on the explosive volcanoes of Io, the hidden subsurface oceans of Europa, the colossal ice geysers of Enceladus, and the bizarre, sponge-like terrain of Hyperion. We explore how these moons are not just dead rocks, but dynamic, active worlds shaped by incredible forces.
Deadly Moons Educational Outreach
Deadly Moons is an art/science workshop for children. We take a look at some unusual moons, we choose the "deadliest" moon. Then we draw that moon with energy and attention to detail. It's a lot of fun.
Here is a slide show of some of the moons drawn by Irish children who participated in Deadly Moons. A lot of children who look at the moon through my telescope say "That's Deadly", so that's where Deadly Moons comes from.
It is a fast, fun, vocal exciting drawing workshop where children learn a little bit about our moon and other interesting moons.
Get in Touch
Interested in astronomy sketching workshops, educational outreach, or just want to chat about the stars?
I'm available for talks, workshops, and collaborations.
deirdrekelleghan.com