
Tried to do a sketch of the partial eclipse using Artrage app. It’s using digital pens and tools which replicate things like soft pastels or brush marks.
The image is not based on a real picture, but is more of a doodle. X
New paintings and regular art updates.

Tried to do a sketch of the partial eclipse using Artrage app. It’s using digital pens and tools which replicate things like soft pastels or brush marks.
The image is not based on a real picture, but is more of a doodle. X

Crescent patterns of light caused by today’s partial eclipse. Sunlight through leaves made the shadows act like camera obscura images. I couldn’t get out to see it safely but had heard of this method of viewing it, approx 7.10pm.the UK. 12.8.26.

The Moon is able to eclipse the Sun because it’s distance from the Earth is 400 times closer than the Sun and is about 400 times smaller. So they look similar in size.
But there is a twist..
The Moon can sometimes cause an annular eclipse where the Sun can be seen behind it. That’s because the Moons orbit is elliptical and has two focuses. So in the furthest position, it’s apogee, means that it appears slightly smaller. Hence an annular eclipse. The Moon is gradually receding from the Earth. The mirrors left on the Moon by apollo astronauts are used to check it’s distance. By using lasers reflected from them they have found it is moving away by about 3.8cm a year. Eventually it will be far enough away that no full eclipses will happen anymore.

An idea from 2017 for a design for a cat and moon and stars. It’s not a good photo but I like the idea and I wish I’d got round to sorting the design out and getting it printed off. This is only an initial design. I would have strengthened the black areas and line work. It’s nice to remember this.

A story written for a prompt “moonlight” for a writing group I’ve joined.
In the past the shadow of Earth would gradually spread across the face of the Moon, it was time for mayhem, time for fear.
But these days people don’t consider the changes that could happen during full moon, or even more so – a lunar eclipse.
Blood red moon due. The TV news channels were full of it. The weather man explained when you could see it. Start at 2.32am, mid eclipse 4.17am, and the end at 6.23 am.
If there was a clear sky people would go out and look. In the dark of the night they would dress up warmly and try and the marvellous sky bourne event.
But in the dark things were scampering, hiding close by, hidden in trees and bushes and tall grassland. Things that changed at the full moon, ready to capture and ensnare. The blackness of night was increased during the full eclipse, when the brilliant moon was dimmed.
It was 3am when she decided to view this lunar delight. A flask of tea, a warm coat and scarf, strong shoes to stop her turning her ankle in the tussocky grass…… A good torch with new batteries. Out the back door- out the gate and into the alleyway… She moved through the misery air. Feet slipping on the frosty ground. Down the path into the feild edges. She was watching where her feet fell but chanced a quick glance upwards. The moon was pinkish, a darker shadow to one side.
As she walked she heard shuffling sounds in the grass. But she took no notice. Out into the main feild. Quietness. The eclipse was doing it’s thing gradually reddening. A blush on the lunar surface. Moonlight but crimson, like blood.
She sat on a wooden bench and poured herself a cup of tea. Strong, no sugar. Sipping it she tried to sit comfortably, head up, neck craning to get a good view through entangled tree branches. ‘Snap’ a twig crunched. Turning her head she saw a glimpse. A WEREWOLF’s Smile…..

One moon, reflected
Selene or Luna
She glisters through the twigs
Origamied by my buttons
She is twisted into more dimensions.
Fluid glory, etched through glass
Sunlight floods across the horizon
From the opposite side of the world
Pale blue sky washes around
In a month will you appear again?
The tides of time enthralling me.

Sleep little cat
Enjoy your rest
Tomorrow you will be at your best,
Having a prowl
Look at that owl?
Seen by moonlight
Stars ever so bright
Having fun and delight
During the night,
So rest and take your ease
Enjoy it, if you please. X
What historical event fascinates you the most?

It’s fantastic that in my childhood men landed on the moon, not once but several times. Using computers that barely had the memory of a pocket calculator.
The race for space started after the second world war, when Wernher Von Braun went from Germany to America to continue research into rocketry. In the meantime Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and his Russian team were working on the problem in the USSR.
The teams gradually designed rockets that could travel into space. There are many books about the space race that are worth reading, telling the tale of the triumphs and tragedies that happened as the race continued. First one country took the lead then the other.
It all culminated one July day in 1969, I remember being bought downstairs to watch the landing. I hope to see people go back there.
How much would you pay to go to the moon?

Simply put I won’t go!
I don’t fly
Up in the sky
I get vertigo
So I’ll stay on my feet
Keep my carbon footprint down
Let some millionaire clown
Spend dollars for fun
Hopefully not crashing
Into the Sun!

Supermoon shakes in the window
My poor nearsighted eyes make it dance
Layers of lemon cheese
with green salad leaves
Like nettle wrapped Cornish Yarg…
Slivers of moonlight sparkle
Watery eyes observe
See through my sight eagerly
Learn a new way to view.