NexStar 50 Club Observation Log

NexStar 50 Lunar Club Observation Log

Name: Dr Terry Medcalfe

NexStar Telescope Model(s): NexStar 6SE and CPC 925

Procedure: Photographs taken through the eyepiece using a Canon Power Shot S40 digital camera or a Canon EOS 20D DSLR camera. Confirmation and identification obtained using LunarPhase Pro or Virtual Moon Atlas Software. Images processed, if necessary, using Picasa2.

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Object: 1 - Albategnius... Crater

Date Observed: 15th January 2008. Time: 20.30 Hours.

Temperature: 15⁰C. Wind: 11Kph. Seeing conditions: little cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼” Celestron Axiom 8 mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Albategnius

Excellent views and shows rim broken by Klein crater.

Object: 2 - Alpine Valley... Valley

Date Observed: 15^th January 2008. Time: 20.35 Hours.

Temperature: 15⁰C. Wind: 11Kph. Seeing conditions: little cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 17 mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Alpine Valley

Close to the Terminator and at the foot of the alps.

Object: 3 - Alps... Mtn Range

Date Observed: 15^th January 2008. Time: 20.35 Hours.

Temperature: 15⁰C. Wind: 11 Kph. Seeing conditions: slight cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 17 mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Alps

Close to the Terminator in the north.

Object: 4 - Rupes Altai... Fault

Date Observed: 10^th May 2008. Time: 22.30 Hours.

Temperature: 16⁰C. Wind: 11 Kph. Seeing conditions: moderate cloud.

Transparency: partially clear.

Eyepiece: 1¼" Plössl 17 mm. Telescope: NexStar 6SE.

Oval Callout: Rupes Altari Comments:

An abrupt cliff. SCARP; Slope separating two neighbouring areas with different RELATIVE Altitudes.

Object: 5 - Apennines... Mtn Range

Date Observed: 14^th February 2008. Time: 22.00 Hours.

Temperature: 16⁰C. Wind: zero. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 17mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Apennines…Mtn. Range $C:\Users\Terry\My Pictures\Moon 14 t 2008-02-14\IMG_0862.JPG$

Object: 6 - Archimedes... Crater

Date Observed: 15^th January 2008. Time: 20.40 Hours.

Temperature: 15⁰C. Wind: 11 Kph. Seeing conditions: little cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼”Plőssl 17 mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Archimedes $C:\Users\Terry\My Pictures\Moon 14 t 2008-02-14\IMG_0862.JPG$

Circular formation with steep slopes.

On the Terminator, south of the Alpine Valley and the Alps.

Object: 7 - Aristarchus... Crate

Date Observed: 19^th January 2008. Time: 22.05 Hours.

Temperature: 18⁰C. Wind: 9 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: NexStar 6SE. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 17mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Aristarchus

Circular formation visible during Earthshine.

Object: 8 - Bailly... Crater

Date Observed: 17^th May 2008. Time: 22.46 Hours.

Temperature: 17⁰C. Wind: 8 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Elux Plössl 40 mm.

Filter: Moon Orion 25%T. Transparency: very clear.

Comments:

Circular formation little differentiated.

Object: 9 - Billy... Crater

Date Observed: 19th January 2008. Time: 22.05 Hours.

Temperature: 18⁰C. Wind: 9 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: NexStar 6SE. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 17mm.

Comments:

$C:\Users\Terry\My Pictures\Moon & Saturn 19th January 2008 2008-01-19\IMG_0011.JPG$

Circular formation forming an interesting couple with Hansteen.

Object: 10 - Cassini... Crater

Date Observed: 15^th January 2008. Time: 20.35 Hours.

Temperature: 15⁰C. Wind: 11 Kph. Seeing conditions: slight cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 17mm.

Oval Callout: Cassini Comments:

Circular formation. South of the Alps.

Object: 11 - Clavius... Crater

Date Observed: 15^th May 2008. Time: 22.28 Hours.

Temperature: 19⁰C. Wind: 1Kph. Seeing conditions: moderate to no cloud.

Transparency: very clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Elux Plössl 40 mm.

Comments:

Damaged circular formation.

Object: 12 - Copernicus... Crater

Date Observed: 17^th January 2008. Time: 21.45 Hours.

Temperature: 15⁰C. Wind: 7 Kph. Seeing conditions: slight cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 17mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Copernicus

Large bright crater.

Object: 13 - Dionysius... Crater

Date Observed: 11^th April 2008. Time: 22.05 Hours.

Temperature: 15⁰C. Wind: 9 Kph. Seeing conditions: slight cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Plössl 17mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Dionysius

Bright and circular formation.

Object: 14 - Euclides (Euclid)... Crater

Date Observed: 15^th May 2008. Time: 22.20 Hours.

Temperature: 19⁰C. Wind: 1 Kph. Seeing conditions: moderate to no cloud.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Elux Plössl 40 mm. Transparency: very clear.

Comments:

Circular formation with bowl shape and with bright ejecta.

Object: 15 – Furnerius…Crater.

Date Observed: 7^th June 2008. Time: 22.24 Hours.

Temperature: 17⁰C. Wind: 2 Kph. Seeing condition: no cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: NexStar 6SE. Eyepiece: 1¼" Plössl Celestron E-Lux 40 mm.

Filter: Orion Moon T25%.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Furnerius

Circular formation.

Steep slopes supporting Furnerius C and E to the North-West Furnerius J to the North-East and many craterlets to the South-East. Little marked and south North oriented mountain chain to the South of Gutenberg.

Separates Mare Fecunditatis and Mare Nectaris.

Object: 16 - Gassendi... Crater

Date Observed: 19^th January 2008. Time: 22.05 Hours.

Temperature: 18⁰C. Wind: 9 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: NexStar 6SE. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 17mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Gassendi $C:\Users\Terry\My Pictures\Moon & Saturn 19th January 2008 2008-01-19\IMG_0011.JPG$

Circular formation situated on the North bank of Mare Humorum.

Object: 17 – Giordano Bruno…Crater

Date Observed: Not able to observe.

Position:

Longitude: 102.8 ° East

Latitude: 35.9 ° North

Description:

Circular formation situated in the zone of librations.

Giordano Bruno is a small lunar impact crater on the far side of the Moon, just beyond the northeastern limb. At this location it lies in an area that can be viewed during a favorable libration, although at such times the area is viewed from the side and not much detail can be seen.

Object: 18 - Grimaldi... Crater

Date Observed: 17^th May 2008. Time: 22.50 Hours.

Temperature: 17⁰C. Wind: 8 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Elux Plössl 40 mm.

Filter: Orion Moon 25% T. Transparency: very clear.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Grimaldi

Very dark circular formation resembling a sea.

Object: 19 – Hainzel…Crater.

Date Observed: 14^th June 2008. Time: 21.51 Hours.

Temperature: 20⁰C. Wind: 11.5 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Transparency: clear. Filter: Orion Moon T25%.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Plössl 17 mm.

Comments:

Hainzel is a member of a trio of overlapping craters. Completely wrecked and deformed formation. The composite rim is located at the west edge of Lacus Timoris in the southwest sector of the Moon. The heavily worn Mee crater is attached to the southwest wall; its rim forming a ridge running from the south of the Hainzel formation.

Object: 20 - Hercules... Crater

Date Observed: 11^thApril 2008. Time 22.10 Hours.

Temperature: 15⁰C. Wind: 9 Kph. Seeing conditions: little cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Plössl 17 mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Hercules

Circular formation. Forms a remarkable couple with Atlas.

Object: 21 - John Herschel... Crater

Date Observed: 15^th May 2008. Time: 22.17 Hours.

Temperature: 19⁰C. Wind: 1 Kph. Seeing conditions: moderate to no cloud.

Transparency: very clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Elux Plössl 40 mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Herschel

Young circular formation situated on the North slope of Ptolemaeus.

Object: 22 – Hesiodus Sunrise Ray…Occurrence.

Date Observed: 12^th June 2008. Time: 22.02 Hours.

Temperature: 18⁰C. Wind: 14 Kph. Seeing conditions: No cloud.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Plössl 17 mm.

Transparency: clear.

Comments. Lunar sunrise and sunset rays are shafts of light which shine through gaps or notches in crater walls and mountains to illuminate the lunar surface. They occur only at very low angles of light - during lunar sunrise or sunset. Sunrise and sunset rays can range from thin parallel to triangular illuminations.

Image of Hesiodus Ray taken by Robin Casady.

A gap in the neighbouring crater Pitatus provides an opening for the shaft of light to cross the floor of this crater at various times throughout the year.

I cannot say, with any confidence, that I saw the occurrence at this time.

Oval Callout: Hesiodus

Object: 23 - Kepler... Crater

Date Observed: 19^th January 2008. Time: 22.05 Hours.

Temperature: 18⁰C. Wind: 9 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: NexStar 6SE. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 17mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Kepler

Isolated circular formation.

Object: 24 - Linne... Crater

Date Observed: 15^th May 2008. Time: 22.27 Hours.

Temperature: 19⁰C. Wind: 1 Kph. Seeing conditions: moderate to no clouds.

Transparency: very clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Elux Plössl 40 mm.

Comments:

Circular formation isolated with bowl shape and surrounded by clear materials.

Object: 25 - Manilius... Crater

Date Observed: 14^th February 2008. Time 22.00 Hours.

Temperature: 16⁰C. Wind: zero. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 17mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Manilius $C:\Users\Terry\My Pictures\Moon 14 t 2008-02-14\IMG_0862.JPG$

Bright and isolated circular formation.

Object: 26 – Maurolycus…Crater.

Date Observed: 10^th June 2008. Time: 22.01 Hours.

Temperature: 18⁰C. Wind: 8 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Plössl Celestron E-Lux 40 mm.

Filter: Orion Moon T25%.

Comments:

Maurolycus is one of the more prominent lunar craters in the southern highland region of the Moon that is covered in overlapping crater impacts.

Object: 27 - Menelaus... Crater

Date Observed: 11^th April 2008. Time: 22.00 Hours.

Temperature: 15⁰C. Wind: 9 Kph. Seeing conditions: little cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Plössl 17 mm.

Comments:

Circular formation situated on the South bank of Mare Serenitatis.

Object: 28 - Messier A... Crater

Date Observed: 17^th May 2008. Time: 22.49 Hours.

Temperature: 17⁰C. Wind: 8 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Elux Plössl 40 mm.

Filter: Orion Moon 25% T. Transparency: very clear.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Messier A

Forms a remarkable couple with Messier.

Object 29 – Petavius….Crater

Date Observed: 7^th June 2008. Time: 22.24 Hours.

Temperature: 17⁰C. Wind: 2 Kph. Seeing condition: No cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: NexStar 6SE. Eyepiece: 1¼" Plössl Celestron E-Lux 40 mm.

Filter: Orion Moon T25%.

Comments:

Circular formation situated on the South bank of Mare Fecunditatis.

Very steep and tormented slopes riddled with craterlets.

Object: 30 - Piccolomini... Crater

Date Observed: 11^th February 2008. Time: 20.00 Hours.

Temperature: 16⁰C. Wind: 0.3 Kph. Seeing conditions: Moderate cloud.

Transparency: partly clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼“ Plőssl 17mm with x2 Televue Barlow.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Piccolomini $C:\Users\Terry\My Pictures\Moon using EOS 20D 11th February 2008 2008-02-11\IMG_0822.JPG$

Circular formation.

Object: 31 - Pico... Mountain

Date Observed: 15^th May 2008. Time: 22.07 Hours.

Temperature: 19⁰C. Wind: 1 Kph. Seeing conditions: moderate to no cloud.

Transparency: very clear.

Telescope: CPC 924. Eyepiece: 1¼" Elux Plössl 40 mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Pico Mountain

Orientated South-East North-West Mountain.

Object: 32 - Plato... Crater

Date Observed: 17^th January 2008. Time: 21.45 Hours.

Temperature: 15⁰C. Wind: 7 Kph. Seeing conditions: slight cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 17mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Plato

Next to the Alps, on the edge of Mare Imbrium and north of Archimedes.

Object: 33 - Plinius (Pliny)... Crater

Date Observed: 11^th April 2008. Time: 22.10 Hours.

Temperature: 15⁰C. Wind: 9 Kph. Seeing conditions: little cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Plössl 17 mm.

Comments:

Isolated circular formation.

Object: 34 - Posidonius... Crater

Date Observed: 12^th March 2008. Time: 22.00 Hours.

Temperature: 15⁰C. Wind: 8 Kph. Seeing conditions: some cloud.

Transparency: partly cloudy.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼” 32mm Plőssl.

Comments:

Walled plain.

Object: 35 - Proclus... Crater

Date Observed: 17^th May 2008. Time: 22.48 Hours.

Temperature: 17⁰C. Wind: 8 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Elux Plössl 40 mm.

Filter: Orion Moon 25% T. Transparency: very clear.

Comments:

Pentagonal shaped formation.

Object: 36 - Pyrenees Mountains….Mtn. Range

Date Observed: 8^th June 2008. Time: 22.20 Hours.

Temperature: 18⁰C. Wind: 15 Kph. Seeing condition: no cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: NexStar 6SE. Eyepiece: 1¼" Plössl Celestron E-Lux 40 mm.

Filter: Orion Moon T25%.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Pyrenees Mountains

Little marked and South North oriented mountain chain to the South of Gutenberg.

Separates Mare Fecunditatis and Mare Nectaris.

Object: 37 - Pythagoras... Crater

Date Observed: 17^th May 2008. Time: 22.47 Hours.

Temperature: 17⁰C. Wind: 8 Kph. Seeing condition: no cloud.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Elux Plössl 40 mm.

Filter: Orion 25%T Moon. Transparency: very clear.

Comments:

Circular formation. Very high walls.

Object: 38 - Pytheas... Crater

Date Observed: 15^th May 2008. Time: 22.28 Hours.

Temperature: 19⁰C. Wind 1 Kph. Seeing conditions: moderate to no cloud.

Transparency: very clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Elux Plössl 40 mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Pytheas

Bright and isolated formation.

Object: 39 - Reiner Gamma... Discolor

Date Observed: 17th May 2008. Time: 22.50 Hours.

Temperature: 17⁰C. Wind: 8 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Elux Plössl 40 mm.

Filter: Orion Moon 25% T. Transparency: very clear.

Comments:

Formation composed of a deposit of very clear materials in form of a kite.

Object: 40 - Reinhold... Crater

Date Observed: 17^th January 2008. Time: 21.45 Hours.

Temperature: 15⁰C. Wind: 7 Kph. Seeing conditions: slight cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 17mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Reinhold

Smaller crater south of Copernicus and close to the terminator.

Object: 41 – Rima Ariadaeus…Fault.

Date Observed: 10^th June 2008. Time: 22.00 Hours.

Temperature: 18⁰C. Wind: 8 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Plössl Celestron E-Lux 40 mm.

Filter: Orion Moon T25%.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Rima Ariadaeus

Rima Ariadaeus is a linear rille. It is named after the crater Ariadaeus, which marks its eastern end. Over 300 kilometers long, it is thought to have been formed when a section of the Moon's crust sank down between two parallel fault lines (making it a graben or fault trough). It is a relatively young lunar feature, with few craters or other features overlying it.

Object: 42 - Rupes Cauchy... Fault

Date Observed: 17^th May 2008. Time: 22.48 Hours.

Temperature: 17⁰C. Wind: 8 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Elux Plössl 40 mm.

Filter: Orion Moon 25% T. Transparency: very clear

Comments:

Oval Callout: Cauchy D

Rectilinear South-East North-West orientated fault.

Object: 43 - Rupes Recta... Fault

Date Observed: 13^th May 2008. Time: 23.00 Hours.

Temperature: 18⁰C. Wind: 5 Kph. Seeing conditions: slight cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: NexImage [30 sec. capture video. 5 f/sec. RegiStax 4]

Comments:

Oval Callout: Rupes Recta

Rectilinear fault situated on the East bank of Mare Nubium.

Object: 44 - Schiller... Crater

Date Observed: 17^th May 2008. Time: 22.50 Hours.

Temperature: 17⁰C. Wind: 8 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Elux Plössl 40 mm.

Filter: Orion Moon 25% T. Transparency: very clear.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Schiller

Very lengthened and South- East North-West orientated formation.

Object: 45 – Sinus Medii…Bay.

Date Observed: 11^th June 2008. Time: 22.08 Hours.

Temperature: 18⁰C. Wind: 10 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Plössl 17 mm.

Comments:

Sinus Medii (Latin for "Bay of the Center") is a small lunar mare that is located at the intersection of the Moon's equator and prime meridian. As seen from the Earth, this feature is located in the central part of the Moon's near side, and it is the point closest to the Earth. From this spot the Earth would always appear directly overhead, although the planet's position would vary slightly due to libration.

Object: 46 - Theophilus... Crater

Date Observed: 13^th January 2008. Time: 19.15 Hours.

Temperature: 14⁰C. Wind: 4 Kph. Seeing conditions: slight cloud.

Transparency: clear.

Telescope: NexStar 6SE. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 17mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Theophilus

Circular formation forming a remarkable trio with Cyrillus and Catharina.

Object: 47 - Timocharis... Crater

Date Observed: 16^th March 2008. Time: 19.45 Hours.

Temperature: 24⁰C. Wind: 9 Kph. Seeing conditions: little cloud.

Transparency: partly clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 32mm.

Comments:

Archimedes

Plato

Oval Callout: Timocharis

Isolated circular formation.

Object: 48 - Tycho... Crater

Date Observed: 16^th March 2008. Time: 19.45 Hours.

Temperature: 24⁰C. Wind: 9 Kph. Seeing conditions: little cloud.

Transparency: partly clear.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 32mm.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Tycho

Very young circular formation.

Object: 49 - Vallis Schroteri….Valley.

Date Observed: 15th June 2008. Time: 22.18 Hours.

Temperature: 18⁰C. Wind: 26 Kph. Seeing conditions: no cloud but high sand level.

Telescope: CPC 925. Eyepiece: 1¼" Plössl 17 mm.

Transparency: poor. Filter: Orion Moon 25%T.

Comments:

Oval Callout: Vallis Schröteri

Vallis Schröteri is a sinuous valley on the surface of the Moon. It is located on a rise of continental ground, sometimes called the Aristarchus plateau, that is surrounded by the Oceanus Procellarum to the south and west and the Mare Imbrium to the northwest. At the southern edge of this rise are the craters Aristarchus and Herodotus.

Object: 50 - Wargentin... Crater

Date Observed: 19^th March 2008. Time: 21.30 Hours.

Temperature: 16⁰C. Wind: 2 Kph. Seeing conditions: slight cloud.

Transparency: partly clear.

Telescope: NexStar 6SE. Eyepiece: 1¼” Plőssl 32mm

Comments:

Oval Callout: Wargentin

Phocylides

Schickard

Heightened circular formation forming an interesting trio with Nasmyth and Phocylides.