Okay, raise your hands: On reading the title did you just think, "Oh, I can't even draw a straight line!"? Keep them up, let me count everyone. Um, let's see -yes, just as I suspected, quite a few. If you remember only one thing from reading this article, I hope it's that straight lines are difficult to draw for almost everyone. Truly. Also, I can think of only three celestial objects with a straight line as part of their telescopic appearance. Two are extremely difficult - the jet in M87 and the jet in 3C 273 -and they require a large scope and nearly perfect skies to see. On the other hand, Rupes Recta (the Straight Wall) on the Moon is easy when the lighting is just right. So, if you're interested in sketching what you see through your telescope, not being able to draw straight lines won't hold you back. But is astronomical sketching within your reach? Let's find out.
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