Embedded Files
Steve Boerner
sboerner@charter.net
Lunar Program Certificate: #775
Astronomical League Affilliation--
Member: Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri
Seeing Scale:
1 :: Chaotic: lowest power stellar images unsteady
2-3 :: Severely disturbed: low power planetary/nebulae images unsteady
4-5 :: Poor: medium powers unsteady
6-7 :: Good: only high powers unsteady
8-9 :: Excellent: only highest powers soft
10 :: Superb: all powers steady
Transparency Scale:
1 :: Mostly Cloudy
2-3 :: Hazy; 1 or 2 Little Dipper stars visible
4 :: 3-4 Little Dipper stars; Milky Way not visible
5 :: 4 Little Dipper stars; Bright parts of Milky Way visible (Scutum star cloud)
6 :: 5 Little Dipper stars; Milky Way visible with averted vision
7 :: 6 Little Dipper stars; Milky Way visible
8-9 :: Excellent: 7 Little Dipper stars; M-31 visible
10 :: Superb: M-33 and/or M-81 visible
Objects were located and identified using Virtual Moon Atlas (VMA): http://ap-i.net/avl/en/start
All targets were found by "crater" hopping and the GoTo features of Virtual Moon Atlas, any other program(s), or telescope hardware were NOT used to find targets for this observing program.
No additional aid from others was used to locate and/or identify objects.
The date to view after new & full moon come from Virtual Moon Atlas recommendations & last new moon date.
New moon dates and times come from: http://www.moongiant.com/Full_Moon_New_Moon_Calendar.php
All images below were take and processed by me with no help from anyone else.
Scopes Used:
Most of the observations of features were done with a heavily modified 1985 vintage Celestron 14 located in the observatory at Broemmelsiek Park. The modifications make the C14 a fully GoTo scope, but other than an initial GoTo the Moon all features were found manually. The optics remain the same: an SCT with an F/14, 14" mirror, and focal length approximately 3900mm. The scope was fitted with a flip mirror for ease of centering the features on the small 1/3" sensor of the various video cameras used. A .5x focal reducer was placed in front of the cameras to give an approximate field-of-view of 8x6 arcminutes, but the eyepiece view was not affected by the focal reducer.
The observations done at my home were done with the OTA of a deforked 1974 C8 riding on an iOptron MiniTower mount.
An ETX-70 was used to image a lunar eclipse and for the filter study.
Observing Location(s):
Bortle Latitude Longitude Elevation
Brommelsiek Park orange 38.723N 90.815W 644 ft (20 minutes from home)
Home--driveway red 38.631N 90.553W 562 ft
Astronomical League Lunar II Program Checklist
I've grayed out the tasks not attempted below
Observe these targets and provide brief descriptions:
#1-3 Create a sketch/map of the visible lunar surface:
Observe a Full Moon and sketch a large-scale (prominent features) map depicting the nearside; disk of visible surface should be drawn at least 5-inches in diameter. Sketch itself should be created only by observing the Moon, but maps or guidebooks may be used when labeling sketched features. Label all maria, prominent craters, and major rays by the crater name they originated from. (Counts as 3 observations (OBSV): #1, #2 & #3)
Not attempted Sketching the Full Moon equates to torture in my mind. Option A (+2) and Option D (+1) will be used to wimp out of the Lunar sketch.
(flipped R/L vs naked eye orientation):
Number seen: 1/100
AL Number: #4
Name: Alpetragius
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 3/10/2014
Time Seen: 8:11 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek Park
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000 gain 18
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
A next-door neighbor of Rupes Recta above and to the left. This crater has a very large central peak. It is very circular with shadows running on the western wall from about 11:30 to 8:30. Over around 2:30 there is a ridge line running from the crater's edge up and to the right in the eyepiece. The area between it and the crater to the SW is an upland while to the east it is flat. There is a smaller peak about 2:30 from the big central peak. The floor of the crater is rough towards the west and south west, but smoother towards the south and south east.
Number seen: 2/100
AL Number: #5
Name: Arago
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 8/20/2015
Time Seen: 08:28 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 7/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 6 days after new
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
A crater that is almost circular with a small indentation on the southwest side. It isn't particularly large (VMA says 16 miles diameter). The majority of the floor was in shadow when observed but I can see some irregularity on the floor in the NW. There is a long ridge running north/south just east of the crater (10 miles east) with no name in VMA. What's really interesting are the two domes described below.
Number seen: 3/100
AL Number: #6
Name: Arago Alpha & Arago Beta
Common Name of Feature: domes
Date seen: 8/20/2015
Time Seen: 08:28 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 7/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 6 days after new
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
These are two large domes almost the same size as Arago. Arago Alpha is NNW of the Crater with a ridge just to the east. The larger Arago Beta is almost due west of the crater. Based on VMA's size of Arago (16 miles) I'd say that Arago Alpha is 12 miles from the crater and Arago Beta is 10 miles from the crater.
Number seen: 4/100
AL Number: #7
Name: Aristarchus Plateau
Common Name of Feature: crater and plateau
Date seen: 10/16/2013
Time Seen: 7:45 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 4/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 5 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000th and gain 24
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
A range of hills to the northeast of the very bright crater Aristarchus and companion Herodotus to the west. A most interesting valley/canyon runs just to the west of the hills. The hills look steeper on the west, have three craters and a round formation on the north. There is a lighter area above the leftmost crater that might be a hollow or another crater. The plateau is wider in the north and east than southwest near Herodotus. It is higher north and south than in the middle. It looks pretty cool.
Number seen: 5/100
AL Number: #8
Name: Baco
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 10/16/2013
Time Seen: 08:34 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 7/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer for 6'x8' FOV
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 6 days after new
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
When observed this crater was very close to the terminator and the floor was mostly in shadows. The crater shows as circular in VMA but in the eyepiece it looks to have an almost straight eastern edge with a large unnamed secondary craterlet bulging on the side. There is an additional lighter bump sticking into the crater wall at 8:30. The rim may be a bit lower in the north. Baco A is SSE from the main crater and about 1/3rd it's size. The tiny Baco N connects the two as another break in Baco's SE wall. Clicking around VMA shows many Baco craterlets.
Number seen: 6/100
AL Number: #9
Name: Bailly
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 9/28/2015
Time Seen: 12:50 AM CDT
Seen From: Home--driveway
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C8 (visual only)
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 32mm 20mm
Power(s): 60x 100x
Lunar Phase when observed: Full
Camera:
Exposure Information:
Description/Notes:
The night of the September 2015 Lunar eclipse showed promise in VMA but was pretty much clouded out here. Waking up after midnight showed that the clouds departed and full moon was visible. I quickly set up for a look. The very bright full Moon made finding Bailly very difficult. Being almost on the limb made it even more difficult since there was so much foreshortening in the area. It was fairly large but indistinct with very little in the way of shadows to help define it.
Number seen: 7/100
AL Number: #10
Name: Beer, Beer Catena & Feuillée
Common Name of Feature: crater chain
Date seen: 10/13/2013
Time Seen: 07:36 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at ‘1/1000th and gain 17
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Crater hop from Copernicus to Erathosthenes, up Montes Apenninus, to Archimedes, and Beer was in the fov midway between Archimedes and Timocharis. Both Beer and Feuillee are small craters on a flat plane. Feuillee is farther north. Beer Catena runs to the east as a chain of two very faint craters more visible in the stacked image than the eyepiece. Beer appears to be slightly larger than Feuillee. Both craters are too small to have much detail and the shadows in the craters are too dark to see anything inside.
Number seen: 8/100
AL Number: #11
Name: Bullialdus, Bullialdus A & Bullialdus B
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 10/13/2013
Time Seen: 08:12 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at ‘1/1000th and gain 22
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Near Rupes Recta, just above Kies and Koenig. The set of three craters makes a comma shape with Bullialdus on top and "B" at the bottom. The three were viewed at a time that had the bottom of all three in deep shadows on no detail seen inside the craters. Bullialdus is obviously the largest. The rim is circular with fairly even edge from the SW around through north to the SE. There are shadows at 8 and 11 o'clock that suggests a low areas. "A" is slightly larger than "B" but "B's" crater wall looks higher, particularly in the NW casting a bigger shadow. Hilly/rough between Bullialdus and "A" and smooth plane between "A" and "B".
Number seen: 9/100
AL Number: #12
Name: Cassini, Cassini A & Cassini B
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 3/10/2014
Time Seen: 8:24 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000 gain 18
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
On the other side of the Alpine Valley from Plato. It is in the plain with a low round wall. There are two craters inside. A is larger and stretched a bit to the NW/SE and B very round and smaller. A is just toward 11 o'clock from center and b is very close to the rim at 4 o'clock. A third crater, probably c (nope--M) is outside at 1:30. There is a ridge running outside the crater from about 2 to 4 below C/M. The crater rim has a two high spots on the western wall, the higher side, and almost disappears from view in the north and south. One small bright spot at 5.
Number seen: 10/100
AL Number: #13
Name: Cauchy, Cauchy Omega & Cauchy Tau
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 9/1/2015
Time Seen: 11:34 PM CDT
Seen From: Home--driveway
Seeing: 4/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C8
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 8, 12, 20
Power(s): 254x, 169x , 102x
Lunar Phase when observed: 3 day past full
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
A bit harder to find than I thought. Sinus Concordiae was split by the terminator and didn't "pop out." Once in the right place Cauchy stood out as a good target with a very black and shadowed center. The west wall was particularly bright and looked a bit higher than the east. There looks to almost be a diagonal crease running from 11 to 4. The domes were a bit difficult because there look to be others in the same area. The domes do stand out because of the shadow on the opposite side vs a crater's. Rupes Cauchy stood out fairy well but Rima Cauchy (see #52 below) only drifted in and out of the poor (‘4/10) seeing.
Number seen: 11/100
AL Number: #14
Name: Censorinus
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 8/20/2015
Time Seen: 08:54 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 7/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 6 days after new
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
It's easy to see why I had so much difficulty seeing this crater. VMA says it is 2 x 2 miles and the seeing isn't the best. It looks like a tiny white powdered sugar doughnut with the seam running north/south with excess powdered sugar surrounding the entire area. The seam represents the elongated floor of the crater running north/south. Crater doesn't look very deep and it seems to have rounded walls. There's a large wall or mountain to the east that's probably due to Maskelyne A, the next crater over. Mare Tranquillitatis is to the west, but there is some high ground between Censorinus and there.
Number seen: 12/100
AL Number: #15
Name: Crüger
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 9/6/2015
Time Seen: 9:00 AM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 6/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 32 20 12
Power(s): 122x 195x 325x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day past third quarter
Camera: board camera Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
See note for Grimaldi about viewing. This is easy to find as it stands out as the first real dark spot/crater beneath Grimaldi. It is fairly small (28mi per VMA) The crater's floor is slightly lighter in the center. The crater wall looks higher at the top between 11 and 1, while wider and lower between 1 and 5. There is a light spot around 5 that's probably a small crater.
Number seen: 13/100
AL Number: #16
Name: Dorsae Lister & Smirnov (A.K.A. Serpentine Ridge) Dorsa Smirnov
Common Name of Feature wrinkled ridges
:Date seen: 8/20/2015
Time Seen: 08:58 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 7/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 6 days after new
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
OK a bit of confusion here. Dorsa Smirnov is a winding ridge about 80 miles (VMA) running generally south from Posidonius. It is aptly named the Serpentine Ridge because of all the twists and turns (six by my count). At the south end it dies out for a bit and then Dorsa Lister picks up and continues south and circles to the west above Plinius. VMA says that Dorsa Lister is a continuation of Dorsa Smirnov and is up to 176 miles long. As a continuation I believe the length, but separately it is shorter that Smirnov. The area they both run through looks pretty much featureless but they both really stand out. Other confusing features in the area are Dorsa Aldrovandi to the east and Dorsa Nikol to the south. I originally thought that either might be one of the two Dorsa here.
Number seen: 14/100
AL Number: #17
Name: Grimaldi Basin outer and inner rings
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 9/6/2015
Time Seen: 8:54 AM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 6/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 32 20 12
Power(s): 122x 195x 325x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day past third quarter
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
The long range forecast for the next few days is pretty poor so I thought I'd head out to the Park before the weather and new Moon shut me out for the rest of the month. I'd never really viewed or tried to image the Moon in daylight and I was really surprised at the problems it presented. Everything is blue and I couldn't even make out the terminator. I ended up viewing through an IR pass filter that cuts off visible light below 630nm and makes everything look RED. Grimaldi is huge, VMA reports 134x134 miles. Due to foreshortening on the limb it looks about 3x taller than wide. The entire crater floor is featureless but it is darker at the bottom end and lighter at the top. The very most bottom has a W shape and below the W is lighter probably caused by the crater wall. There are two lighter spots about 4 o'clock probably caused by mountains. There's a light rim between 1 and 2:30. The task says outer ring too.. there is something between 11 and 9 that may be said outer ring. I don't see much anywhere else. Seen 3 days before VMA's recommendation so more shadows might help.
Number seen: 15/100
AL Number: #18
Name: Hainzel, Hainzel A & Hainzel C
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 10/16/2013
Time Seen: 8:35 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 4/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 5 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000th and gain 16
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
North of Schiller. These three craters overlap or are strongly superimposed rather than spread out over a large area. They run from northwest towards the southeast. The floor common floor is hilly with visible high spots.
Number seen: 16/100
AL Number: #19
Name: Hercules, Hercules G, Hercules E
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 7/23/2015
Time Seen: 08:44 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: first quarter
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
Observed while it was still light…I was experimenting with daytime exposures to see how it worked. The results were fairly good. Hercules was a day past the best recommended date in Virtual Moon Atlas, but with the long string of cloudy days/nights I took what I could get. The main crater runs a bit 8:30-2:30 with a bright terraced rim at 9 o'clock. The rim at 2 o'clock is in shadow and looks a bit rougher. There's a dark spot (craterlet?) on the rim at 3 o'clock that isn't mentioned in VMA. The floor is darker from 9 o'clock around the edge to 12. Possibly a few lighter spots in the center. The largest of the secondary craters is Hercules G is to the right and below center (4 o'clock) on the floor of the main crater. Hercules E is in the same direction, smaller and on the wall of the main crater. Many other secondary craters dot the area southeast of the main crater. The surrounding area ls fairly flat, but rises towards Atlas at 2 o'clock.
Number seen: 17/100
AL Number: #20
Name: Hesiodus A
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 10/13/2013
Time Seen: 07:43 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at ‘1/1000th and gain 17 stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Crater hop from Rupes Recta to Pitaus and Hesiodus is in the fov. This crater is just to the NW of Pitaus. Hesiodus is low walled with more detail on the NE to SE side with much mountain structure below as part of Pitaus's wall. There is a crater (based on shadow direction) in the center of Hesiodus. There are small hills to the north and a good sized Hesiodus A to the SW. "A" is about 1/6th the size of Hesiodus and based on the shadow and bright west wall, much deeper. It rises above the plain and there is a small dark spot on the western wall that suggests a possible high spot on the eastern side.
Number seen: 18/100
AL Number: #21
Name: Hortensius dome field
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 3/13/2014
Time Seen: 7:55 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 5/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/4000th and gain 13 stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
After two nights of cloudy sky it was good to get out. I missed this guy the last time because it was just on the other side of the terminator. Tonight it is a bit far away but I can still see eight, what I think are, domes spread over a large area. I say domes because the shadow is on the other side than on craters so they must stick up. Four are circular and four are stretched out N/S. The surrounding area appears flat but the color varies greatly from a very light to much darker gray bands that run from the upper left to the lower right. If I had to guess it was ejected material from nearby Copernicus.
Number seen: 19/100
AL Number: #22
Name: Julius Caesar
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 7/23/2015
Time Seen: 08:41 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: first quarter
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
Observed while it was still light…I was experimenting with daytime exposures to see how it worked. I was using a new board camera. It is less adjustable but cheaper ($25). The results were fairly good. JC was a few days past the best recommended date in Virtual Moon Atlas, but with the long string of cloudy days/nights I took what I could get. Based on weathering, JC is an old crater with an incomplete wall and featureless floor. The wall on the east is incomplete between 3 and 5 and a gap near 6. The floor of the crater is darker in the northwest. There is a lighter spot in the wall at 4 and a craterlet (A) in the wall at 6. The most intact parts of the rim are between 6 and 11.
Number seen: 20/100
AL Number: #23
Name: Kies
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 10/13/2013
Time Seen: 08:15 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at ‘1/1000th and gain 22
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Easy to find from Rupes Recta to Pitatus and it was in the fov. A very circular crater with short mountainous wedge at about 7 o'clock. Additional high areas around the rim wall at 1-2, 6 (extends a short way down), and 8. The rim is brightest and possibly highest at 8. There may be gaps in the ring at 12, 6:30 and 10. The floor appears to be featureless, but that may be more of a limitation of the poor seeing. A ridge starts about 4:30 and arcs down towards Kies A. There is either a bit of highland inside the crater at 4:30 or just the shadow from the wall.
Number seen: 21/100
AL Number: #24
Name: Kies Pi
Common Name of Feature: Dome Kies Pi
Date seen: 10/13/2013
Time Seen: 08:15 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at ‘1/1000th and gain 22
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Very close to the terminator when viewed. Kies Pi is just west of Kies, on a line between Koenig and Kies A. It is a slightly raised area that is difficult to see in the ripples of poor seeing. Kies is easy to find and see but the dome is difficult. Slightly better on the top side for vision.
Number seen: 22/100
AL Number: #25
Name: Lacus Mortis
Common Name of Feature: Lake of Death
Date seen: 8/20/2015
Time Seen: 08:54 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 7/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 6 days after new
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
VMA calls it an older crater that has been filled with lava. It has a well shaped wall running from the south around towards the west all the way to the north side of the area. There are only a few wall fragments around east side. Except for the crater Berg in the center the old floor is fairly flat. Two exceptions are ridges that rune from the northwest to Berg and then Berg to the south.
Number seen: 23/100
AL Number: #26
Name: Linne
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 7/23/2015
Time Seen: 08:36 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s) centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: first quarter
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
Observed while it was still light…I was experimenting with daytime exposures to see how it worked. I was using a new board camera. It is less adjustable but cheaper ($25). The results were fairly good. JC was a few days past the best recommended date in Virtual Moon Atlas, but with the long string of cloudy days/nights I took what I could get. From now on I'm reporting the real N/S directions with observations--it is a rotate of 180 degrees in the eyepiece. Linne is a tiny crater out in Mare Serenitatis. It's so small that I can't really see it in the waves. It is surrounded by a fairly good sized patch of lighter material.
Number seen: 24/100
AL Number: #27
Name: Lamont
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 8/20/2015
Time Seen: 09:01 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 7/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer for
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 6 days after new
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
VMA calls it a ghost circular formation and I'm not sure I would have been able to pick it up with reading that. It is a area about three times the size of Arago just to the southwest. There are very low walls from about 2 to 10 with a giant gap between 10 and 2. The floor may be slightly darker on the east. There is a lighter portion on the west and south. It was very difficult.
Number seen: 25/100
AL Number: #28
Name: Mairan
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 10/16/2013
Time Seen: 7:55 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 4/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 5 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000th and gain 24
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Very close to Sinus Iridium. The crater is in an upland. The rim looks very regular and not much detail can be seen in the bottom. I don’t' see any distinguishing features. The SW wall is brighter, but that is to be expected since it is the side that is in the sun. The moon is really boiling in shimmers.
Number seen:
Libration, phase, and clouds make this difficult
AL Number: #29
Name: Mare Australe
Sub Opt-E
Common Name of Feature: Southern Sea
Date seen:
Time Seen:
Seen From:
Seeing:
Transparency:
Telescope:
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing:
Power(s):
Lunar Phase when observed:
Camera:
Exposure Information:
Description/Notes:
Number seen: 26/100
AL Number: #30
Name: Mare Cognitum
Common Name of Feature: The Sea that has Become Known
Date seen: 3/10/2014
Time Seen: 9:50 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 3/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at ‘1/1000th and gain 22 stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Clouds are building fast so this will be the last object of the night. A large round, flat area very close to the terminator. MONTES RIPHAEUS are very apparent to the NE and BONPLAND L to the NW (crater). The floor looks flat with three small craters, a N/S ridge running in the middle and a seven isolated hills/peaks. The clouds do cut down transparency and I should probably revisit.
Number seen: 27/100
AL Number: #31
Name: Mare Humboldtianum basin
Common Name of Feature: Sea of Alexander von Humboldt
Date seen: 9/28/2015
Time Seen: 12:45 AM CDT
Seen From: Home--driveway
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C8 (visual only)
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 32mm 20mm
Power(s): 60x 100x
Lunar Phase when observed: Full
Description/Notes:
The night of the September 2015 Lunar eclipse showed promise in VMA but was pretty much clouded out here. Waking up after midnight showed that the clouds departed and full moon was visible. The basin was a fairly large dimpled area below Atlas, Hercules, and Endymion just in from the Moon's limb. The only details I could note was the darker shaded floor and smooth area.
Number seen: 28/100
AL Number: #32
Name: Mare Insularum & Sinus Aestuum
Common Name of Feature: Sea of Islands, Bay of Billows
Date seen: 3/10/2014
Time Seen: 10:23 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 3/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at ‘1/1000th and gain 22 stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
This is composed of a huge area comprising the area south of Erathosthenes, to Copernicus west and south. According to VMA Mare Insularum is about 545 miles x 545 miles in size. You could write forever and it doesn't fit into the FOV of my imaging setup. Looking at the area the huge crater Copernicus with it’s three central peaks dominates the view. Sweeping the area reveals many smaller features that are included in the Lunar and Lunar II program of which I think Stadius is my favorite.
Number seen: 29/100
AL Number: #33
Name: Mare Marginis
Common Name of Feature: Sea of Edge/Border Sea
Date seen: 9/28/2015
Time Seen: 12:40 AM CDT
Seen From: Home--driveway
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C8 (visual only)
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 32mm 20mm
Power(s): 60x 100x
Lunar Phase when observed: Full
Description/Notes:
The night of the September 2015 Lunar eclipse showed promise in VMA but was pretty much clouded out here. Waking up after midnight showed that the clouds departed and full moon was visible.
Mare Marginis was between Mare Crisium and the Lunar limb when viewed. It stood out because of the darker shade of gray on it's floor. It looked to be about 1/3rd the north/south distance of Mare Crisium.
Number seen: 30/100
AL Number: #34
Name: Mare Smythii
Common Name of Feature: Sea of Smyth/Sea of Smith
Date seen: 9/15/2015
Time Seen: 07:36 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 7/10
Telescope: C8
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 20 12
Power(s): 102x 169x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 day old
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
Well if anything, the Lunar II program is teaching me about libration. Trying to find the "best" time to view features on the limbs is really a challenge and Mare Smythii is no exception. According to VMA I should be able to see it for the next few nights and then it librates out of view. By the 25th of the month (10 days) it librates to a place that is well off the limb, so it would be much easier to see, but by then the terminator as passed and it will be in the dark. The next "best" time looks to be on 11/25/2015 (2 1/2 months away) but only for that single night and you can't count on the weather. Grrrrrrrr.... Observe now. Mare Smythii is a flat region on the very limb. I can't see any detail in the area, but there are a few craters north and south of it.
Number seen: 31/100
AL Number: #35
Name: Mare Spumans
Common Name of Feature: Foaming Sea
Date seen: 8/20/2015
It was a nice night with nine members imaging the Moon with various toys.
Time Seen: 09:17 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 7/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 6 days after new
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
Well I did both Mare Spumans and Mare Undarum well past VMA's recommended viewing dates because of a long string of bad weather. I also discovered that you can't see things on the east limb of the moon at night with the C14 because the western wall of the observatory is too high and even if I could see through the door, the Moon is too low and there's too much air mass blurring the object. I need to use my C8 for these guys for a hope for sharper detail. On the positive side, I did locate Mare Spumans to the east of Sinus Successus. It is a darker flat area with an irregular shape. It looks to be larger north/south in the eyepiece, but pictures show that foreshortening at the limb make it really wider than high. I can't see any real detail.
I felt a bit guilty for the poor quality of the images from Mare Spumans and Mare Undarum (below) so I reshot the area on 9/15/2015 with my C8 at our club's DigitalSIG meeting at Broemmelsiek Park. No C14 because the walls on the observatory are too high for the Moon on that night. The camera and stacking information is the same. I think I like Mare Spumans better here, but Mare Undarum is more amoeba like in the full Sun.
This Mare reminded me of a large amoeba just southeast of Mare Cristium. It looks a bit larger than Mare Spumans and I can see Firmicus and Apollonius west of the area.
Number seen: 32/100
AL Number: #36
Name: Mare Undarum
Common Name of Feature: Sea of Waves
Date seen: 8/20/2015
Time Seen: 09:18 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 7/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 6 days after new
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
see above
Number seen: 33/100
AL Number: #37
Name: Marius Hills
Common Name of Feature: crater and hills
Date seen: 10/16/2013
Time Seen: 8:03 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 4/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 5 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000th and gain 24
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Low irregular sandpaper looking hills to the north and east of the crater Marius running towards the terminator. I can't pick up too much detail, just uneven ground and at least 40 bumps.
Number seen: 34/100
AL Number: #38
Name: Mersenius
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 10/16/2013
Time Seen: 8:10 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 4/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 5 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000th and gain 24
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
This is a big guy and close to the MARE HUMORUM area. It is elliptical, longer N/S vs. E/W. The crater wall has a second crater at 7 o'clock and a very small crater at 1. Other than those two it is fairly regular looking a bit higher on the E, but that might be due to the shadow. The bottom looks flat with no detail. There is a light spot on the rim at 9 that might represent a higher spot. The wall looks lowest on the north.
Number seen: 35/100
AL Number: #39
Name: Milichius Pi
Common Name of Feature: dome
Date seen: 3/13/2014
Time Seen: 8:32 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 3/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 5 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000th and gain 16 stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Craters are a whole lot easier to see than domes. Just to the west of Milichius there is a very faint round dome sticking up north of Milichius A. The surrounding area is the very flat MARE INSULARUM.
Number seen: 36/100
AL Number: #40
Name: Mons Gruithuisen Gamma & Mons Gruithuisen
mountains
Common Name of Feature: 10/16/2013
Date seen: 8:19 PM CDT
Time Seen: Broemmelsiek
Seen From: 4/10
Seeing: 4/10
Transparency: C14 camera with .5x focal reducer
Telescope: 40 20
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 98x 195x
Power(s): 5 days after first quarter
Lunar Phase when observed: AstroVideo System
Camera: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000th and gain 16 stacked with RegiStax 6
Exposure Information:
Description/Notes:
These two mountains are south of the southern promontory of Sinus Iridium. Delta is to the east and Gamma is to the west. They are both oblong with Gamma running more E/W and Delta more SW/NE. Gamma looks a bit larger and higher based on shadows although VNA says otherwise.
Number seen: 37/100
AL Number: #41
Name: Mons Rümker (A.K.A. Rümker Hills)
Common Name of Feature: mountain
Date seen: 3/13/2014
Time Seen: 9:06 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 4/10
Transparency: 6/10
Telescope: C14 camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 5 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/4000th and gain 22
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
A large clump of what looks more like hills than a mountain just popping out of the OCEANUS PROCELLARUM mare, very close to the terminator and east of Sinus Iridium. There is a small ridge to the north and another to the south. Three rounded areas rise higher than the rest of the clump.
Number seen: 38/100
AL Number: #42
Name: Montes Agricola
Common Name of Feature: mountain range
Date seen: 3/13/2014
Time Seen: 9:00 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 4/10
Transparency: 6/10
Telescope: C14 camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 5 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/4000th and gain 22
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
A long, thin almost straight chain of mountains in the OCEANUS PROCELLARUM Mara, just north of MONS HERODOTUS. It was very close to the terminator when observed. It is slightly thicker and higher in the north, lower in the middle, and briefly rising in the south. Two close hills are to the south towards Mons Herodotus. Following the chain to the north leads to the crater Neilsen.
Number seen: 39/100 AL Number: #43 Name: Montes Cordillera Common Name of Feature: mountain range Date seen: 9/6/2015 & 9/28/2015 Time Seen: 9:05 AM CDT & 12:35 AM CDT Seen From: Broemmelsiek & Home--driveway Seeing: 6/10 & ‘5/10 Transparency: 6/10 & ‘4/10 Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer & C8-Visual
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 32 20 12 & 20mm Power(s): 122x 195x 325x & 195x Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day past third quarter & full Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
See note for Grimaldi about viewing. This and Montes Rook are difficult. Possibly viewing in a few nights (or next month, or months) might get some help from libration. As it stands I see some raised areas just on the limb of the moon to the left of Cruger. This is the location where the two mountainous areas are to be with Rook the most northerly. Can I see any detail...no. Can I see something? maybe and I'm counting them both--sweating under a black plastic trash bag trying to focus and view makes it count.
The real problem is the libration is working against me. The worst part is that for pretty much the next six months when ever libration favors Montes Cordillera and Montes Rook by rotating them in a place to see, the phase is such that they are both on the wrong side of the terminator. VMA suggests that the next favorable time to view both is April 3, 2016--that's seven months away. I may end up subbing this one out.
The night of the September 2015 Lunar eclipse showed promise in VMA but was pretty much clouded out here. Waking up after midnight showed that the clouds departed and full moon was visible. Montes Cordillera was seen as an uneven area running along the limb just out from Cruger and inside Montes Rook. Very little detail was seen in the light of the full Moon with no shadows in the area.
Number seen: 40/100
AL Number: #44
Name: Montes Foucault (The mountains just west and north of Foucault Crater)
mountain range
Common Name of Feature: 10/16/2013
Date seen: 7:03 PM CDT
Time Seen: Broemmelsiek
Seen From: 4/10
Seeing: 4/10
Transparency: C14 camera with .5x focal reducer
Telescope: 40 20
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 98x 195x
Power(s): 5 days after first quarter
Lunar Phase when observed: AstroVideo System Mark III
Camera: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000th and gain 16
Exposure Information: stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
This area is just above Sinus Iridum and below Harpalus. Ripples of poor seeing shimmer on the edge of the moon to the west. As it says on the left, there is banana shaped mountain area or chain of hills of pretty uniform height to the northwest of Focult running east-west. The hills look to have uniform thickness (N/S) with an oblong patch of lighter ground on the north side running from the center and towards Harpalus. The south edge of the hills are in sun and the north in shadow with an indentation on the north. I see something a bit lighter like a small ridge between the hills and crater.
Number seen: 4’1/100
AL Number: #45
Name: Montes Rook
Common Name of Feature: mountain range
Date seen: 9/6/2015 & 9/28/2015
Time Seen: 9:05 AM CDT & 12:35 AM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek & Home--driveway
Seeing: ‘6/10 & ‘5/10
Transparency: ‘6/10 & ‘4/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer & C8-Visual
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 32 20 12 & 20mm
Power(s): 122x 195x 325x & 100x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day past third quarter & full
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
See note for Grimaldi about viewing. This and Montes Cordillera are difficult. Possibly viewing in a few nights (or next month, or months) might get some help from libration. As it stands I see some raised areas just on the limb of the moon to the left of Cruger. This is the location where the two mountainous areas are to be with Rook the most northerly. Can I see any detail...no. Can I see something? maybe and I'm counting them both because of the trash bag.
The real problem is the libration is working against me. The worst part is that for pretty much the next six months when ever libration favors Montes Cordillera and Montes Rook by rotating them in a place to see, the phase is such that they are both on the wrong side of the terminator. VMA suggests that the next favorable time to view both is April 3, 2016--that's seven months away. I may end up subbing this one out.
The night of the September 2015 Lunar eclipse showed promise in VMA but was pretty much clouded out here. Waking up after midnight showed that the clouds departed and full moon was visible. Montes Rook was seen as an uneven area running along the limb just out from Cruger. Very little detail was seen in the light of the full Moon with no shadows in the area.
Number seen: 4’2/100
AL Number: #46
Name: Montes Recti, Teneriffe & Spitzbergen
Common Name of Feature: mountain range
Date seen: ‘3/10/2014
Time Seen: 8:35 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘6/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000 gain 18
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Montes Recti, MontesTeneriffe, Mons Pico, Mons Piton, & Montes Spitzbergen make a huge counter clockwise arc south of the crater Plato around Mare Imbrium. Montes Recti is SE of Plato and looks very contorted. Teneriffe is more spread out "peace sign" and a bit lower. Spitzbergen is farther away, just north of Archimedes and didn't actually fit in the camera view so it was included as a separate image. Spitzbergen is thin and stretched out.
Number seen: 4’3/100
AL Number: #47
Name: Mösting A
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: ‘3/10/2014
Time Seen: 8:45 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘6/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000 gain 16
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Thank goodness for Virtual Moon Atlas. I'd have never found it as it is pretty far south from Mosting. It is very round and apparently deep because of the strong shadow. It's small with a very regular ring and a ridge running from 3 o'clock on the east wall north towards Mosting. Rough terrain to the NW with Flammarion to the immediate west. Multiple ridges run NE/SW on the east side of the crater down towards the much larger PTOLEMAEUS.
Number seen: 4’4/100
AL Number: #48
Name: Promontorium Archerusia
Common Name of Feature: cape or headland - Old Russian Cape?
Date seen: Named after the cape on the Black Sea
Time Seen: 8/20/2015
Seen From: 09:03 PM CDT
Seeing: Broemmelsiek
Transparency: ‘5/10
Telescope: ‘7/10
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Power(s): 20mm
Lunar Phase when observed: 195x
Camera: 6 days after new
Exposure Information: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
A headland promontory dividing Mare Serenitatis and Mare Tranquillitatis curving up to the northeast. It is just to the WWN of Plinius with it's central peak. The most interesting thing to me is the dark area the extends beyond the last of the high area and out into Mare Serenitatis.
Number seen: 4’5/100
AL Number: #49
Name: Regiomontanus & Regiomontanus A
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: ‘3/10/2014
Time Seen: 8:57 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘6/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000 gain 18
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Regiomontanus is very large while Regiomontanus A is inside it and very, very small. Regiomontanus has in incomplete rim because Perbach to the north east was a later hit and over rode it. The exiting rim looks to be low, irregular and almost "weathered" lacking high peaks or hills to cast distinct shadows. A is just above the center and does look to have a good wall structure because of deep shadows. There is a light area in Regiomontanus wall east of A.
Number seen: 4’6/100
AL Number: #50
Name: Rabbi Levi
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 8/20/2015
Time Seen: 09:07 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘5/10
Transparency: ‘7/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 6 days after new
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
It is the middle crater in a three crater chain running from northwest to south east: Zagut, Rabbi Levi, and Riccius. The crater ias a somewhat irregular shaped wall that looks higher between 1 and 4 (brightest at 3) and again about 10. There is a "dent" about 3 where there is a small craterlet as part of the wall. There's also another craterlet at 6. The most interesting thing is five small craters in two groups on the bottom west have of the floor. Two running northwest/southeast around 10 and three as an equilateral triangle around 7. For the most part these all look to abe about the same size.
Number seen: 47/100
AL Number: #51
Name: Rima Aridaeus (RIMA ARIADAEUS)
Common Name of Feature: ridge or rille
Date seen: 7/23/2015
Time Seen: 08:47 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘6/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: first quarter
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR 1/2000th
Exposure Information:
Description/Notes:
This is a very long (VMA says 130mi) rile that runs from 9 to 3 between Julius Caesar and Agripa, just missing the small crater Silberschlag in the middle. It looks to cut a ridge just north of this small crater. Rima Hyginus ends just below the start of this rile.
Number seen: 4’8/100
AL Number: #52
Name: Rima Cauchy
Common Name of Feature: ridge or rille
Date seen: 9/1/2015
Time Seen: 11:34 PM CDT
Seen From: Home--driveway
Seeing: ‘4/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C8
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 8, 12, 20
Power(s): 254x, 169x , 102x
Lunar Phase when observed: 3 day past full
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
A bit harder to find than I thought. Sinus Concordiae was split by the terminator and didn't "pop out." Once in the right place Cauchy stood out well. The domes were a bit difficult because there look to be others in the same area. Rupes Cauchy stood out fairy well above Cauchy but Rima Cauchy below the crater only drifted in and out of the poor (‘4/10) seeing. Both of the features run southeast to northwest. Rima Cauchy runs a bit closer to Cauchy than Rupes Cauchy
Number seen: 4’9/100
AL Number: #53
Name: Rima Hadley
Common Name of Feature: ridge or rille
Date seen: ‘3/10/2014
Time Seen: 9:04 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘6/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000 gain 21
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Virtual Moon Atlas says "South-West North-East oriented sinuous rille. Passes the craterlet Hadley C in its center." Right. I see what I'd call a "pass" between two mountainous areas with what might be a rill running to the NE. There might be a small craterlet where the pass is. I'm just not sure...right on the edge of seeing.
Number seen: 50/100
AL Number: #54
Name: Rima Hesiodus
Common Name of Feature: ridge or rille
Date seen: 10/13/2013
Time Seen: 08:20 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘5/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at ‘1/1000th and gain 22
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Fairly close to Rupes Recta and almost as long. It was difficult with the poor seeing but very apparent in the image that this rille that runs SE/NE from between Mercator/Capuanus towards Hesiodus's northern wall. The area it runs though is fairly flat and no additional features are seen in the area.
Number seen: 5’1/100
AL Number: #55
Name: Rimae Hippalus
Common Name of Feature: rille system
Date seen: 3/13/2014
Time Seen: 8:15 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘3/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C14 camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 5 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000th and gain 16
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
There is a at least one long rille running from the north of Hippalus, through the crater, and then to the south as far as Ramsden. There is a second rile to the east although not as distinct. The entire area is hilly/mountainous so the rille system is pretty impressive.
Number seen: 5’2/100
AL Number: #56
Name: Rimae Janssen (Jansen)
Common Name of Feature: rile system
Date seen: 8/20/2015
Time Seen: 09:09 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘5/10
Transparency: ‘7/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 6 days after new
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
This is a tough one. The rile starts at the bottom of Fabricius and runs southwest and curves around a small shadowed rise. I couldn't see the entire rill only bits and pieces as the seeing changed. It is even difficult in the image I took.
Number seen: 5’3/100
AL Number: #57
Name: Rimae Triesnecker
Common Name of Feature: rille system
Date seen: ‘3/10/2014
Time Seen: 9:09 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘6/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000 gain 16
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Rima Hyginus to the NW is easy to see, but Rimae Triesnecker is just barely visible stretching NNW to SSE from near Hyginus A to just west of Triesnecker. Thin high clouds are starting to come in from the west.
Number seen: 5’4/100 .
AL #58
Name: Ritter & Sabine
Common Name of Feature: 8/20/2015
Date seen: 08:30 PM CDT
Time Seen: Broemmelsiek
Seen From: ‘5/10
Seeing: ‘7/10
Transparency: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer for 6'x8' FOV
Telescope: 20mm
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 195x
Power(s): 6 days after new
Lunar Phase when observed: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Camera: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Exposure Information:
Description/Notes:
An interesting comma shaped string of five craters running from south to northwest: Sabine, Ritter, Ritter C, Ritter B, and Ritter D. The shape makes it a pretty good marker to find out where you are on the moon. All the craters are circular and look like they have intact walls. At the time viewed the floors of all the craters were in at least half shadows...they really stood out, but made seeing any detail inside the craters pretty much impossible. Sabine is the largest closely followed by Ritter. Ritter D is really small
Number seen: 5’5/100 .
AL Number: #59
Name: Sacrobosco
Common Name of Feature: 7/23/2015
Date seen: 08:52 PM CDT
Time Seen: Broemmelsiek
Seen From: ‘6/10
Seeing: ‘4/10
Transparency: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer for 6'x8' FOV
Telescope: 20mm
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 195x
Power(s): first quarter
Lunar Phase when observed: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Camera: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Exposure Information:
Description/Notes:
Based on the weathering of the wall this is an older crater. It is an irregular wall and three much newer and sharper craters on it's floor. "A" the largest is slightly below the center and a bit west with a possible hill just to the north. The smaller "B" is just above and to the east, while "C" is in the northwest part of the floor almost at the rim. The wall is highest in the north east and there are two lighter places between 2 and 2:30. From there the wall slopes slowly to the floor. Two additional craters break the wall in the southeast around 4 and another crater breaks the northwest wall at 11. VMA shows many Sacrobosco craters spread throughout the area
Number seen: 5’6/100
AL Number: #60
Name: Schiller, Segner, Zucchius region
Common Name of Feature: three craters
Date seen: 10/16/2013
Time Seen: 7:28 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘4/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C14 camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 5 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000th and gain 24
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
A very large area dominated by the three named craters. Schiller is the largest and most northerly. It looks very elliptical, running NW/SE. The rim is uneven with higher areas on the SE and NE and looking fairly flat on the SE. There is a mountainous area the upper end, The mountainous area is larger at the bottom, thins in the center, and gets higher again in the NW. There are brighter areas in the crater wall to the NW. Segner is the second in the chain and about 1/3rd the size of Schiller. It looks to be the most shallow of the three and the bottom is mostly flat except for an area about 2'oclock which is raised. Zucchius is about the same as Segner but deeper, with the bottom in dark shadows. I think there may be two spots of hills in the bottom.
Number seen: 5’7/100
AL Number: #61
Name: Sinus Amoris
Common Name of Feature: Bay of Love
Date seen: 10/13/2013
Time Seen: 07:51 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘5/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/4000th and gain 21
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Very blurry and difficult to see. Done at time Virtual Moon Atlas recommends but truly a bust with washed out details. Mare Crisium to the very bright Macrobius and I know I have it in the fov. It shows up darker than the area around Macrobius, but lighter than Mare Tranquillitatisor below or Mare Serenitatis to the west. Twenty or so lighter craters show up in the area as well as the darker Maraldi. Reasonably flat and featureless in this light with ejecta from Macrobius streaming north/south on the eastern side.
Number seen: 5’8/100
AL Number: #62
Name: Sinus Asperitatis
Common Name of Feature: Bay of Roughness
Date seen: 8/20/2015
Time Seen: 09:11 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘5/10
Transparency: ‘7/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 6 days after new
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
This is a rather large area between Theophilus on the south and at least Torricelli on the north. It is a flat plain that shows a number of hills and ridges. The plain looks rougher than the surface of Mare Nectaris, particularly on the west side. Clicking around the area shows a number of Theophilus craterlets. It is darker on the west side too, but part of that is probably due to it being closer to the terminator when viewed.
Number seen: 5’9/100 .
AL Number: #63
Name: Sinus Concordiae
Common Name of Feature: Bay of Harmony
Date seen: 8/20/2015
Time Seen: 08:18 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘5/10
Transparency: ‘7/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 6 days after new
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
This is a thumb shaped area off the east side of Mare Tranquillitatis pointing to the bottom of Mare Crisium. It is near Cauchy. It is the same dark color as Mare Tranquillitatis and stands out well from the lighter uplands areas to the north, south, and east. There are some lighter areas in the west above Cauchy D that are probably hills
Number seen: 60/100
AL Number: #64
Name: Sinus Lunicus
Common Name of Feature: Bay of Lunik
Date seen: ‘3/10/2014
Time Seen: 9:15 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘6/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 days after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000 gain 14
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
A large flat area between Archimedes on the SE and Aristillus on the NW. I see five small craterlets in the area from Archimedes (C & D) and Aristillus ( B ). There is a small ridge running from the NW to SE and Montes Spitsbergen is to the NE.
Number seen: 6’1/100
AL Number: #65
Name: Stadius & Stadius Catenae My favorite object and image of the entire Lunar II Program!!!!
Common Name of Feature: crater and chain
Date seen: 10/13/2013
Time Seen: 07:57 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘5/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at ‘1/1000th and gain 16
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Just below a line between Copernicus and Erathosthenes. It has a very low and indistinct wall that rises only slightly above the surrounding plain. It is a broken ring and shows up best on the east and almost disappears on the north and south west. The floor of the crater has 15-20 smaller craterlets at higher magnification. The Catena is on the NW stretches to the north in almost a rille like fashion with a ridge between some of the craters.
Number seen: 6’2/100
AL Number: #66
Name: Taruntius
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 8/20/2015
Time Seen: 08:20 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘5/10
Transparency: ‘7/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 6 days after new
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
I viewed this a day or two after the best time and under poorer seeing conditions that I should. The shadows were pretty flat. It is a good sized crater running NE/SW. The crater rim is pretty intact with a small crater in the NW (Cameron). There is a dark irregularly shaped area in the center surrounding a small central peak. There is a lighter area at the south end that runs out into the plain below.
Number seen: 6’3/100
AL Number: #67
Name: Timocharis
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 10/13/2013
Time Seen: 08:03 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘5/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at ‘1/1000th and gain 16
stacked with RegiSax 6
Description/Notes:
Observed just after Beer so I knew the location. Out in a flat plain and the wall rises about it. The crater is mostly circular, but at 2 o'clock there is an indent. The wall looks like it has an irregular height a bit higher around 11 and lower at 1 and 7. There is a central spiral that is just north of the middle of the crater. The sun's shadows pick up some parallel ridges just to the west that run NE/SW.
Number seen: 6’4/100
AL Number: #68
Name: Vallis Rheita
Common Name of Feature: valley
Date seen: 8/20/2015
Time Seen: 08:24 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘5/10
Transparency: ‘7/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 6 days after new
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
The hardest thing about Vallis Rheita is actually finding out where it is. VMA doesn't do a very good job of labeling it!. It is a fairly long trough running from just west of the top of Rheita south to the top of Young D. It varies in width from a narrow point at the south rim of Rheita to the widest point north of Young. A few side ridges seem to come up from the south and run to the NNE. Shadows make the east side of the valley look a bit darker. VMA says the valley is 303 miles long.
Number seen: 6’5/100
AL Number: #69
Name: Wargentin
Common Name of Feature: Crater
Date seen: 09/25/2015
Time Seen: 07:36 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘6/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C8 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 51x 102x
Lunar Phase when observed: Two days before full
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
One of the things I've learned doing this program is that you take observations when you can. If you wait for a particular time/date something will grab you and spoil the observation. Wargentin was just on the terminator when observed and only the western half of the crater floor was observed. It is packed into the gap between Schickard and Nasmyth and has a fairly even wall. There are three tiny craters between it and Schickard. The crater floor is flat and featureless.
Number seen: 66/100
AL Number: #70
Name: Wolf
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 10/13/2013
Time Seen: 08:07 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘5/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at ‘1/1000th and gain 16
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
Very close to Rupes Recta and viewed when close to the terminator. It is a "light bulb" shaped crater with a high rim to the north and west side of the "socket." There are lower areas on the rim on the west with slightly higher areas on the east side. There is a hilly region to the SW that looks like it might have been thrown up by the impact. The bottom of the crater is pretty featureless, but there are a few bright spots on the rim.
Sketch these targets:
Number seen: 67/100
AL Number: #71
Name: Any polar crater (above 80N latitude or below 80S latitude)
Crater seen: Scott at 82.353 degrees South
Date seen: 8/23/2015
Time Seen: 11:00 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘4/10
Transparency: ‘6/10
Telescope: C14
Eyepiece(s): 32 20 12 8
Power(s): 122x 195x 325x 488x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day after first quarter
Description/Notes:
While I could see many shades between black and white for most of the Moon, it was pretty much black and white up (or down) at the poles. It made sketching harder. The terminator and edge of the moon made the right and bottom appear pure black. An interesting mountain top popped out at about 4 o'clock. I could see the rim of Scott but no interior detail at all.
Number: 6’8/100 & 6’9/100
Number seen: #72 & #73
AL Name: Clavius & its internal craterlets (counts as 2 OBSV: #72 & #73)
Date seen: 8/23/2015
Time Seen: 10:15 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘4/10
Transparency:‘6/10
Telescope: C14
Eyepiece(s): 32 20 12 8
Power(s): 122x 195x 325x 488x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day after first quarter
Description/Notes:
What a mess. I want a camera!
Number seen: 70/100
AL Number: #74
Name: Davy Y
Date seen: 8/23/2015
Time Seen: 10:00 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘4/10
Transparency: ‘6/10
Telescope: C14
Eyepiece(s): 32 20 12 8
Power(s): 122x 195x 325x 488x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day after first quarter
Description/Notes:
Do I sketch the full eyepiece view or just the listed features? I did the best job possible around Davy, but as I got further from the feature I started to leave things out.
Number seen: 7’1/100
AL Number: #75
Name: Delaunay
Date seen: 8/23/2015
Time Seen: 10:50 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘4/10
Transparency: ‘6/10
Telescope: C14
Eyepiece(s): 32 20 12 8
Power(s): 122x 195x 325x 488x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day after first quarter
Description/Notes:
By now I'm a pro….NOT
Number seen: 72/100
AL Number: #76
Name: Mare Crisium
Date seen: 8/30/2015
Time Seen: 9:50 PM CDT
Seen From: home--driveway
Seeing: ‘6/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C8
Eyepiece(s): 8, 12, 20
Power(s): 254x, 169x , 102x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day past full
Description/Notes:
I wasn't in the mood for a 20 mile drive each way for the few things I wanted to do tonight so I gave my driveway a shot. It worked for Montes Jura on the 24th. Note the different image scale tonight with the C8 from home vs. the C14 at Broemmelsiek Park.
Number seen: 7’3/100
AL Number: #77
Name: Messier, Messier A & rays
Date seen: 8/30/2015
Time Seen: 10:15 PM CDT
Seen From: home--driveway
Seeing: ‘6/10
Transparency: ‘4/10
Telescope: C8
Eyepiece(s): 8, 12, 20
Power(s): 254x, 169x , 102x
Lunar Phase when observed: One day past full
Description/Notes:
I wasn't in the mood for a 20 mile drive each way for the few things I wanted to do tonight so I gave my driveway a shot. Note the different image scale tonight with the C8 from home vs. the C14 at Broemmelsiek Park.
Number seen: 7’4/100 & 7’5/100
AL Number: #78 & #79
Name: Montes Jura (counts as 2 OBSV: #78 & #79)
Date seen: 8/24/2015
Time Seen: 11:35 PM CDT
Seen From: Home -- driveway
Seeing: ‘4/10
Transparency: ‘6/10
Telescope: C8
Eyepiece(s): 8, 12, 20
Power(s): 254x, 169x , 102x
Lunar Phase when observed: two days past first quarter
Description/Notes:
Trying something different tonight...observing from home. The sky is terrible and the house is surrounded by trees, but there's a small hour gap that the moon will pass through tonight.
Number seen: 7’6/100
AL Number: #80
Name: Müller and craterlet chains
Date seen: 8/23/2015
Time Seen: 10:40 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘4/10
Transparency: ‘6/10
Telescope: C14
Eyepiece(s): 32 20 12 8
Power(s): 122x 195x 325x 488x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day after first quarter
Description/Notes:
Poor seeing made seeing the craterlet chain tough. I didn't label the chain, but it it is obvious just to the right of the crater in the sketch.
Number seen: 7’7/100
AL Number: #81
Name: Thebit, Thebit A & Thebit L
Date seen: 8/23/2015
Time Seen: 10:30 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: ‘4/10
Transparency: ‘6/10
Telescope: C14
Eyepiece(s): 32 20 12 8
Power(s): 122x 195x 325x 488x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day after first quarter
Description/Notes:
Number seen: 78/100
AL Number: #82
Name: Vallis Alpes
Date seen: 8/23/2015
Time Seen: 09:30 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 4/10
Transparency: 6/10
Telescope: C14
Eyepiece(s): 32 20 12 8
Power(s): 122x 195x 325x 488x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day after first quarter
Description/Notes:
This was my first real attempt at sketching other than putting dots down to represent stars. I was quite apprehensive… I'm an imager, not a drawer and really have not drawn since elementary school in the 1950s. Knowing that I had to do it, I knew I'd have problems and would eventually work them out. In the long list of problems tonight... The C14 is too high to draw comfortably... I had to perch high on a Denver chair and felt unstable. I gave up counting how many times I had to put on/take off my glasses when I hit 30 for just my first drawing. My hands really bothered me because of arthritis and tendonitis. Too long an eyepiece (20mm or more) and I couldn't see the feature. Too short an eyepiece (12mm or less) and the poor seeing magnified noise from the poor seeing. I tried sketching the Alpine Valley at both 325x (12mm ep) and 488x(8mm ep) and decided on the larger power. It give the most bang for the buck on the object with less surrounding area to sketch. One thing this experience taught me was that I'll never be a sketcher and the AL's Sketching Program is beyond me! Since I'm sketching, I assume that the sketch is the observations and I'll only include some short notes with the rest of the features.
Number seen: 79/100 .
AL Number: #83
Name: Sketch or image "earthshine" on lunar surface. Identify any major features visible on the shadowed portion of the lunar surface Visually I could see Copernicus on the shadowed portion with an f/6.3 90mm refractor and 32mm eyepiece (17x).
Date seen: 9/17/2015
Time Seen: 07:50 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek park
Seeing: 4/10--the worst for the entire program
Transparency: 6/10
Telescope: Vivitar 400mm lens
Lunar Phase when observed: 4 days past new
Camera: Canon T2i
Description/Notes:
Well that was a learning experience. The normal exposure for a sunlit subject is f/16 @1/ISO. I exposed for the sunlit parts of the Moon and the earthshine that I could see visually wasn't there. I ended up taking an overexposed Moon and still had to stretch it a bit to see the dark area you can see on the right. Like I said...clear as a bell in the eyepiece but photographically - yuck
Number seen: 80/100
AL Number: #84
Name: Create sketches or images of limb feature(s) that depict libration effect. (counts as 2 OBSV: #84 & #85) It has probably rotated a bit too, but without an actual way of measuring it can't be documented.
Date seen: 9/14/2014
Time Seen: 7:32 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek Park
Seeing: 7/10
Transparency: 6/10
Telescope: ETX-70 and SDC-435 video camera
Image Information: Single frame grab using Astro Live
Description/Notes:
Number seen: 81/100
AL Number: #85
Date seen: 8/25/2015
Time Seen: 7:47 PM CDT
Seen From: Home--driveway
Seeing: 4/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: 400mm Vivitar Canon FD lens
Image Information: Single frame
Description/Notes:
The position of Mare Crisium changes in the two images. In the top image it is very close to the western edge. In the bottom image is it is much further from the edge.
Number seen: 82/100
AL Number: #86
Name: Sketch or image a close conjunction of Moon and bright star or planet Locations further to the east were treated to an occultation but it was over by the time the Moon came up at my location.
Conjunction of Moon and Aldebran
9/5/2015
Date seen: 12:12 AM CDT
Time Seen: Broemmelsiek
Seen From: 5/10
Seeing: 3/10
Transparency: 11x80 binoculars
Telescope:
Eyepiece(s): 11x
Power(s): third quarter
Lunar Phase when observed:
Observe and create multiple sketches (or images) of same targets:
Description/Notes:
Originally seen at Broemmelsiek with 11x80 binoculars. Aldebran was about a degree away from the Moon. Moon rise was about midnight and I used the time for the first glimpse I had of the Moon. I couldn't see the star with naked eye, but it was quite clear with the binoculars. At 12:12 AM the Moon half face lit by the sun was to the left, then the dark portion of the moon, about another 1/2 moon spacing and then just below a perpendicular to the terminator was Aldebran. That probably doesn't make much sense, so look at the sketch. I'd originally intended to image but a series of problems including a dead battery in the camera and CF card failure prevented it.
Number seen: 83/100
AL Number: #87
Name: Byrgius A near lunar sunrise (or sunset)
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 9/6/2015
Time Seen: 9:10 AM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 6/10
Transparency: 6/10
Telescope: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 32 20 12
Power(s): 122x 195x 325x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day past third quarter board caamera
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/1000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
See note for Grimaldi about viewing.
Number seen: 84/100
AL Number: #88
Name: Byrgius A near lunar midday
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 8/30/2015
Time Seen: 10:51 PM CDT
Seen From: home--driveway
Seeing: 6
Transparency: 4
Telescope: C8
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 8, 12, 20
Power(s): 254x, 169x , 102x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day past full
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/1000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
Byrgius A is the very bright crater in the top center of the image. Byrgius is just to the right and only a small part of the right crater wall can be seen.
Number seen: 85/100
AL Number: #89
Name: Proclus near lunar mid day
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 10/13/2013
Time Seen: 07:51 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 5/10
Transparency: 4/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 40 20
Power(s): 98x 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 2 day after first quarter
Camera: AstroVideo System Mark III
Exposure Information: 60 seconds of video at 1/4000th and gain 21
stacked with RegiStax 6
Description/Notes:
#89 & #90 taken with different equipment over an almost two year period.
At mid day the crater walls really light up.
Number seen: 86/100
AL Number: #90
Name: Proclus near lunar sunset
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 8/30/2015
Time Seen: 10:48 PM CDT
Seen From: home--driveway
Seeing: 6
Transparency: 4
Telescope: C8
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 8, 12, 20
Power(s): 254x, 169x , 102x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day past full
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/1000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
The large feature on the right is Mare Crisium
Number seen: 87/100
AL Number: #91
Name: Rupes Recta near lunar sunrise
Common Name of Feature: The Straight Wall
Date seen: 8/23/2015
Time Seen: 08:08 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 4/10
Transparency: 6/10
Telescope: C14 with .5x focal reducer
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 20 mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day after first quarter
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
Rupes Recta is one of my finder markers on the Moon. I always enjoy seeing it.
Number seen:
AL Number: #92
Name: Rupes Recta near lunar sunset
Common Name of Feature:
Date seen:
Time Seen:
Seen From:
Seeing:
Transparency:
Telescope:
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing:
Power(s):
Lunar Phase when observed:
Camera:
Exposure Information:
Description/Notes:
Well my first shot at this was a disaster...I tried to do it in daylight. The blue sky prevented me from even being able to see the terminator and I couldn't find Rupes Recta at all.
I'll be out of town the for the best time in October so I'll probably use an optional task to replace this target
Number seen: 88/100
AL Number: #93
Name: Tycho near lunar sunrise (or sunset)
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 8/23/2015
Time Seen: 08:33 PM CDT
Seen From: Broemmelsiek
Seeing: 4/10
Transparency: 6/10
Telescope: C14
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 20mm
Power(s): 195x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day after first quarter
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Description/Notes:
The central peak really stands out and there are no signs of rays.
Number seen: 89/100
AL Number: #94
Name: Tycho near lunar midday
Common Name of Feature: crater
Date seen: 8/30//2015
Time Seen: 10:54 PM CST
Seen From: home--driveway
Seeing: 6
Transparency: 4
Telescope: C8
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 8, 12, 20
Power(s): 254x, 169x , 102x
Lunar Phase when observed: 1 day past full
Camera: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Exposure Information: 1 minute of video at 1/1000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Miscellaneous observations:
Description/Notes:
Different scope so different FOV...almost twice as big. The flat lighting causes many of the craters that stand out with cross lighting to almost disappear. The rays are pronounced here but invisible above. The neighboring craters here have practically disappeared.
Number seen: 90/100 Apollo 11
AL Number: #95 July 16–24, 1969
Name: Observe Station Tranquillitatis region (AKA "Tranquility Base") In addition to describing the lunar surface, observing notes should include mission name, date(s) of exploration, and a brief description of significance Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin
First manned landing, in Sea of Tranquility.
8/20/2015 Landed: July 20, 1969, at 20:18 UTC
08:30 PM CDT Surface EVA time: 2:31 hr.
Broemmelsiek Samples returned: 47.51 pounds (21.55 kg)
5/10 Location: in Mare Tranquillitatis about 100 km from Ritter and Sabine.
Date seen: 7/10
Time Seen: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer The landing site is out in the featureless flat with no real sign visible with the C14 through the Earth's atmosphere. The star on the image shows the approximate location.
Seen From: 20mm
Seeing: 195x
Transparency: 6 days after new
Telescope: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10%
Power(s):
Lunar Phase when observed:
Camera:
Exposure Information:
Description/Notes:
Number seen: 91/100 Apollo 15
AL Number: #96 July 26–Aug. 7, 1971
Observe another Luna, Lunakhod, or Apollo mission site -- in addition to describing lunar surface, observing notes should include mission name, date(s) of exploration and a brief description of significance David Scott, Alfred Worden, James Irwin
First Extended LM and rover, landed in Hadley-Apennine.
Apollo 15 Base Surface EVA time:18:33 hr.
3/10/2014 Samples returned: 169.10 pounds (76.70 kg).
9:15 PM CDT
Broemmelsiek It was the first of what were termed "J missions", long stays on the Moon, with a greater focus on science than had been possible on previous missions. It was also the first mission on which the Lunar Roving Vehicle was used.
Name: 6/10
Date seen: 4/10
Time Seen: C14 with .5x focal reducer for camera
Seen From: 40 20
Seeing: 98x 195x
Transparency: 2 days after first quarter
Telescope: AstroVideo System Mark III
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 60 seconds of video at 1/2000 gain 14
Power(s): stacked with RegiStax 6
Lunar Phase when observed:
Camera:
Exposure Information:
Description/Notes:
Number seen: 92/100 Apollo 17
AL Number: #97 Dec. 7–19, 1972
Observe another Luna, Lunakhod, or Apollo mission site -- in addition to describing lunar surface, observing notes should include mission name, date(s) of exploration and a brief description of significance Eugene Cernan, Ronald Evans, Harrison Schmitt
Apollo 17 Base Only Saturn V night launch.
7/23/2015 Landed in Taurus-Littrow.
08:36 PM CDT First geologist on the Moon.
Broemmelsiek Final manned Moon landing.
Name: 6/10 Surface EVA time: 22:02 hr.
Date seen: 4/10 Samples returned: 243.40 pounds (110.40 kg).
Time Seen: C14 & camera with .5x focal reducer
Seen From: 20mm Primary objectives for Apollo 17:
Seeing: 195x to sample lunar highland material older than the impact that formed Mare Imbrium and investigating the possibility of relatively young volcanic activity in the same vicinity.
Transparency: first quarter
Telescope: Sony Super HAD II Board with .5x FR Records set:
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: 1 minute of video at 1/2000th stacked with AutoStakkert 2.5.1.7--best 10% the longest manned lunar landing flight;
Power(s): the longest total lunar surface extravehicular activities;
Lunar Phase when observed: the largest lunar sample return, and the longest time in lunar orbit.
Camera:
Exposure Information: Apollo 17 remains the most recent manned Moon landing and also the last time humans have travelled beyond low Earth orbit.
Description/Notes:
Number seen: 93/100 & 94/100 A most fortunate occurrence!!! I originally intended to get an occultation early in October on a trip to Baltimore. I went out to Broemmelsiek tonight to see how well the Moon fit in the FOV of my ETX-70 with the board camera in preparation for the Lunar Eclipse on 9/27/2015. While at the park I decided to use the setup for Option E below. I also wanted to check on a few other observing related concerns. Before packing up for the night I put the binoculars on a sturdy photographic tripod and pointed them towards the Moon. To my surprise I saw a fairly bright star was very close to the dark side of the Moon. Normally I can't see anything in the way of stars so I checked with SkySafari.
AL Number: #98
Name: Observe occultation (ingres, egress or graze) of a bright star, planet or planetary moon. Include exact time of event. (count as 1 OBSV; if both ingress behind and egress from behind Moon are logged, count as 2 OBSV)
9/19/2015
09:25 - 10:23 PM CDT
Broemmelsiek
6/10
Date seen: 5/10
Time Seen: 30x80 Barska Binoculars
Seen From:
Seeing: 30x
Transparency: 6 days past new
Telescope:
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing:
Power(s):
Lunar Phase when observed:
Description/Notes:
Number seen: 95/100 & 96/100 Observational Notes, Comments and Impressions:
AL Number: #99 & #100
Name: Observe a lunar eclipse; description and/or labeled sketches/images must as a minimum describe entry and event maximum (counts as 2 OBSV: #99 & #100) Got to Broemmelsiek about 3:00 a.m. and set up with an ETX-70, low light video camera and laptop. I knew in advance that I wouldn't be able to get the entire lunar disk in the fov. In retrospect alignment could have been better or I may have needed to drill down to find a lunar tracking rate (if it has one). I spent a considerable amount of the eclipse re-centering. About 20 people cycled through the park with most being imagers. The night was a bit chilly and damp. I didn’t have dew problems but other commented on the difficulty. Five people wanted to talk…I’d rather would have had solitude and the ability to pay attention to the eclipse and imaging. Interesting how visible things were mid-eclipse until the sun started lightening up the eastern sky and then nothing…all within 5 minutes. I got M42, M36, M37, M38, M38, M31, M45, M41, M44, M67, M81 & M82 with the 11x80s during mid-eclipse. Nice copper color to the moon too.
10/8/2014
04:13:22 AM CDT
Broemmelsiek
Date seen: 4/5 at mid eclipse
Time Seen: 5-Mar
Seen From: ETX-70
Seeing: 20mm ep for centering
Transparency: 17x
Telescope: full
Eyepiece(s)centering/viewing: SDC-435 video camera
Power(s): Varied during the eclipse
Lunar Phase when observed:
Camera:
Exposure Information:
OPTIONAL TARGETS: may substitute for required tasks/targets
Description/Notes:
Number seen: 97/100 & 98/100 OPT-A Image #1--waining 1 day before third quarter
Create a series of sketches or images that show daily phase/position change; 3 or more days/nights at approximately same hour (sub for 2 OBSV) 9/4/2015 @ 10:57 am CDT
Canon T2i with 400mm Vivitar Lens
Count as 2 OBSV f/6.3 at 1/640 and ISO 400
Home driveway
Heavily edited--taken in daylight but contrast adjustment to show better.
Image #2--waining third quarter
9/5/2015 @ 10:50 am CDT
Canon T2i with 400mm Vivitar Lens
f/6.3 at 1/640 and ISO 400
Home driveway
Heavily edited--taken in daylight but contrast adjustment to show better.
Image #3--one day after third quarter
9/6/2015 @ 9:45 am CDT
Canon T2i with 400mm Vivitar Lens
f/6,3 at 1/500 and IS 400
Broemmelsiek
Heavily edited--taken in daylight but contrast adjust to show better
OPT-B
Create two or more sketches or images, taken one month or more apart, that show change in Moon's path w/ respect to landmark(s) on the local horizon. Images should be taken with same equipment and at same magnification (sub for 2 OBSV)
OPT-C This is harder than it sounds. A good place to see Apogee/Perigee dates is here.
Create two or more images that depict the change in apparent diameter of the Moon at/near apogee and perigee. Each image should be taken with same equipment and at same magnification (sub for1 OBSV)
But not just any old pair will do. Right now the typical phase for them is less that first quarter, so there really isn't much disk for comparison purposes.
Dec 5 and Dec 21 look to be the best dates to get a decent sized disk...three months away.
Description/Notes:
Number seen: 99/100 OPT-D Observational Notes, Comments and Impressions:
Observe a solar eclipse (sub for 1 OBSV; if sketches/images are included and depict entry and event maximum, sub for 2 OBSV)
Clouds were fairly thick and discouraged many, but we were still successful at observing this partial solar eclipse and sharing the views with nearly all who came. Our telescope operators (Amy, JT, Kirk, Stacey, Chuck, and myself) came early and set up. We were joined by Nancy G. of the County Parks. It was difficult to set up with very little to no visible Sun. We managed to get lined up just before the eclipse, and Stacey announced the first contact pretty much right on time.
Count as 1 OBSV
The eclipse occurred from 4:41pm to 6:11pm but we were well-clouded at 5:41pm. We did not get to observe the maximum eclipse (39% at 5:47pm), but we all got to see a large 'chunk" blocked (I'd estimate 25%). Clouds were intermittent with observing from 4:41 to 5:41, with the clouds likely being more than 80-20 vs. the Sun. We estimated that we had probably 50 visitors.
Project Begun: 10/23/2014 4:41pm
Project Ended: 10/23/2014 6:11pm I manned a live web-link of the eclipse, with a laptop and monitor at the picnic table. It provided the only really good views. Every so often I’d take a peek at the Sun (and clouds) through my 11x80 binoculars.
Seeing Conditions: partly to mostly cloudy
Visual: solar filter glasses
Binocular Size: 11x80s with solar filter(s)
Telescope: Type: Viewed through JT’s C8
Focal Length: 2030mm
Eyepiece Focal Length: 20mm
Description/Notes:
Number seen: 100/100 OPT-E No Filter
Observe a lowland area with one or more colored filters, and compare the similarities/differences to the unfiltered view (sub for 1 OBSV) Light Yellow
Light Green
All exposures were done with a board camera set to Auto. The camera was attached to an ETX-70 and it does a nice job of framing the entire lunar disk. Light Red
Light Blue
One minute of video was captured and the best 10% was stacked with AutoStakkert. Baader Semi-APO
The filters were Meade visual. They were very pale visual and not photographic so not much change is noted.
I really can't see much difference in the final black and white images.
OPT-F Hmmmmm....
Create a series of images at one-hour intervals that show the terminator passing over a prominent feature (sub for 2 OBSV) Looks like
six hours for COPERNICUS
four hours for ERATOSTHENES
two hours for RUPES RECTA
eleven hours for Vallis Alpes
Might be fun to play with these
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