Above~ 2X Powermate with a Nikon 5100. 1/100 sec., ISO 200, prime focus on a f4.8 731mm ES Comet Hunter. This 9 minutes after the 1st Quarter. [click to enlarge]
Sunday, May 8, 2022~ 7:50 – 10:25 pm.
Location~ Moosehorn Creek, NB
Sky Conditions~ High, thin clouds to the west
Temp~ 13° with 31% humidity
Moonrise~ 11:52 am
Sunset~ 8:38 pm
First Quarter @ 9:22 pm
Age of Moon~ 8d 2h 22m
Total Darkness~ 10:44pm
Missed the 7 Day Moon as I couldn’t make it out.
8 Day Moon with 1st Quarter~
Spent time studying John Read’s and the Moon Atlas overlay book.
Began observing @ 9:03 with 10mm Ethos. Very comfortable at this point as Moon was not too bright yet.
First thing I noticed was Arzachet and Alphonsus almost dead centre on the Terminator. Light began falling fast now, temp dropped to 10°. The small crater Herchel beside Ptolemaeus was well lit up.
Second thing I noticed were the mountain ranges–Montes Apennians is lit and the Montes Alpes are the most prominent with the Montes Caucasus off to the side less dramatic. [towards top of photo]
Third thing I noticed was the crater Archimedes “popping” and flanked by the smaller Autoycus and Arisillus craters in Mare Inbrium.
I had decided to go in for a closer look, but stopped to try and get an image or two. Stayed with the 2x Powermate, did not go for the 4x yet.
After, when I put in the 6mm Delos it was almost unreal. Bright! Looked at everything again, then rode along the terminator till I came to the incredible formation south of Walter that I believe is Stofler, Miller, Nasiredin, Huggins, etc. They almost look stacked. Weird! [towards bottom of photo]
It was then that I saw the Alpine Valley mentioned by John Reade. The Straight Wall, however, was not not yet visible–too early. Exact Moon time was 8d 4h 54m.
WOW factor was over the top. Decided to pack it in @ 10:22. Music was perfect for this.
Summary~
Moon at 8d 2h 22m at 73 magnification (10mm)
Arzachet and Alphonsus at 73, 122 magnification
Herchel and Ptolemaeus at 73, 122 magnification
Montes Apennians, Montes Alpes, Montes Caucasus at 73, 122 magnification
Archimedes, Autoycus and Arisillus at 73, 122 magnification
Mare Inbrium at 73 magnification
Stofler, Miller, Nasiredin, Huggins at 122 magnification
Alpine Valley at 122 magnification
Scope– ES Comet Hunter – 152mm f/4.8 731mm Maksutov-Newtonian
Mount– Celestron AVX
Eyepieces used– 10mm Ethos, 6mm Delos
Music~
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas by Mikhail Pletnev.
Beethoven: Concerto No. 5 & Piano Sonata No. 28 by Helene Grimaud.
Sources~
New Atlas of the Moon by Thierry Legault & Serge Brunier [2006]. Beautiful Firefly reference book with overlays, unfortunately out of print.
Sky and Telescope’s Field Map of the Moon~Mirror image laminated fold out map. I use this all the time, handy.
The PhotoPills App~ Exact time and age of the Lunar Cycle, sunset, twilight phase info for our gps location, etc. Great app.
50 Things to See on the Moon~ by John A. Read.
