TheSkySearchers

Hi,
probably not great observing at the moment (well here anyways: i.e. bright moon, and we have thick smoke from "controlled burns") so I noticed that I had a lunar obs that I had not shared.
I hope that you enjoy.


Date 24 Oct 2023
Time from/to 7:30pm – 8:30 pm

Location Jerrabomberra NSW AU
Observer Phil Jones
Scope(s) Genstar 10” Dobsonian
Eyepieces Televue Nagler 7,11mm;
Conditions Bortle: - 4
Cloud: Nil; Seeing: varied from 3/5 , Transparency: varied from 4/5
Moon: 58% observations


General Notes:
With the moon so bright and the LP of the city, A night of lunar viewing (day 8 of the lunar cycle) was the only thing really on offer, other than a quick look at Saturn. I took the opportunity to observe an area of the lunar surface that I have not studied in any detail before, so you will not be surprised if I say that I had a very rewarding evening. The objects observed also proved appropriate for giving me an idea of just what my new 10” scope is capable of (it shows so much more detail than the Mewlon 180C that I sold to buy the dob and I thought the Mewlon was superb).
Object Observations:
Rupus Recta – Straight Wall
A very cool object to observe!. The straight wall is a very interesting feature, just east of Crate Birt. While the slope of this feature is not great, the height is sufficient to cast a shadow for a brief time while the sun is low to the east.
Alphonsis Crater
The ridge from the central peak to the Northern edge was visible. Alphonsis A and Y clearly observable, as is the valley to the north of these craterlets. The western wall showed good detail. However, the rilles were not visible
Moon - Catena Davey
Wow now this was hard and right at the edge of being resolved. The line of craterlets appeared as a slightly bright line, most likely due to the sun shining on the eastern walls of the small unresolvable craterlets. In moments of good viewing 3-4 of the larger craterlets were resolved, the largest of which is 3.3km diameter and 500m deep.
Catena Muller
Easily observed as a distinct line of about 6-8 well resolved craters.
Hadley’s Rille
Tonight was probably 1 day too late in the lunar cycle; however, Hadley was partially observable at most times, and fully observed in moments of best seeing. This is now the second time since owning the 10” dob that I have been able to observe Hadley’s Rille; something that I only succeeded in doing once in 3 years with the Mewlon 180C.

Cheers, Phil

It looks like you had a good night of observation. I've always enjoyed observing the moon. No matter how much or little power used there is so much to learn.

Nice moon observation and recipient of today's VROD. You really explored many facets of what luna has to offer - congratulations Phil!

congrat on the vrod .

Hi Phil,

Great report. Congrats on the VROD.

Joe

Thanks all for your comments/likes :-)

jrkirkham wrote: ↑Thu Mar 28, 2024 2:09 pm It looks like you had a good night of observation. I've always enjoyed observing the moon. No matter how much or little power used there is so much to learn.

Rob, yes I like to spend the odd night observing the moon. I have at least passable sketching skills and lunar features are nice to sketch. I think increasingly I will do more lunar observing, as my skies succumb to greater LP (a new suburb has grown substantially in the past 2-3 years right in the direction where my "good skies" used to be and they have gone beserk with LED lighting).

Cheers, Phil

It is difficult to find a place where light pollution isn't getting worse by the year.

Great lunar observations. Not really the easiest ones! ( Hadley rille)!
Congratulations on the VROD!