Prinz and Rilles

[Mike73]

Prinz + Rilles

24/10/15  2115UT

Phase 37.7˚

Lunation 11.85 days

Illumination 89%

Orion Optics UK VX12L

 

To start with very poor Antoniadi V conditions showed Prinz crater swimming in turbulence with no sign of the small rilles that I was looking for. The jet stream forecast was for it to move north as the evening went on so I headed back inside hoping seeing conditions would change.

The view an hour later was completely different, Prinz glowed in the early morning lunar sun and below it even with a medium powered EP I could see the dog leg rille of Prinz I.

Increasing magnification still didn't show Prinz II, hoping the seeing conditions wouldn't quickly change for the worse I made a quick sketch of everything I could see in the area.

It wasn't until later that I realised I had actually seen the deepest section of Prinz II and marked it on my sketch.

Seeing such small details on the lunar surface, making a sketch and then confirming what I'd seen later was a very enjoyable experience.

 

More details on the Prinz Rilles here .

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Great report and sketch. Haven't seen these rilles yet.

[laudropb]

Very nice sketch and report. Thanks for posting.

[Mr Spock]

Lovely drawing.

[Stu]

Very nice sketch Mike. After reading Mark's comment I had a look at the Prinz crater myself, nice but having only 90mm aperture to play with I could not see the Rilles. I'll have a go with something bigger next time.

[Mike73]

Thanks for the comments. 

Stu, yes I should imagine the Prinz rilles would be beyond your little 90mm, always worth a try though.

My back up plan incase I could see Prinz rilles was the much larger and easier Vallis Schroteri up to the 'cobra's head' but I'm really glad I saw Marks comment about Prinz as it gave me quite a buzz seeing details so small.

[Mark at Beaufort]

Great sketch Mike. I tried with several EPs last night on the 4" APO but could not detect it. Looking at your sketch I think I could see the initial start at the top of Prinz but that was all. Certainly the 7mm Baader Genuine Ortho gave the sharpest view with a Baader barlow but I will try again. I did go indoors about 8.30pm because viewing conditions were not the best so perhaps I should have gone out again.

OR

Perhaps I should buy that 12" scope

[mariosi]

Very nice presentation!

Thank you for sharing

Marios

[Stu]

Thanks for the comments.

Stu, yes I should imagine the Prinz rilles would be beyond your little 90mm, always worth a try though.

My back up plan incase I could see Prinz rilles was the much larger and easier Vallis Schroteri up to the 'cobra's head' but I'm really glad I saw Marks comment about Prinz as it gave me quite a buzz seeing details so small.

Yep, I knew it was optimistic but I only had the 90mm with me. Was still pretty impressive. Vallis Schroteri looked lovely. It didn't help that the objective dewed up fairly quickly but the views were still pretty good despite that!

[John]

Super sketch and report Mike

I'll have to have a look for these with my 12" F/5.3 a the next opportunity. It's very satisfying teasing out these challenging features on our nearest neighbour

The one that runs down the floor of the Valles Alpes is one of my favourite lunar targets. The 5mm Pentax XW does an excellent job on that one, when the illumination is favourable.

[Mike73]

Mark / Stu

I've read that you need a minimum of 180cm to pick out the rilles.

Prinz I was very easy to see with magnifications from x114 all the way up to x320. Prinz II was fairly tricky as the deepest part is pretty short, it was actually pretty confusing with the way it was lit, I couldn't work out exactly what is was but the sketch confirmed it was the second one.

John

It was good to let the VX12L stretch its legs last night and really show me what it can do.

I'II look up the Valles Alpes rilles ready for next time, thanks.

[Stu]

Cheers Mike. I'll try the VX10L on it next chance I get.

[Mark at Beaufort]

Thanks Mike for that. I will try the Orion VX8 next time and see what I can see. Out of interest where did you pick up the info on a 180 scope?

I have tried to view the Prinz Rilles for some time which included a period when I had a Skywatcher 180 Mak/Cass.

[Mike73]

Sorry Mark my mistake its actually 180mm not cm!   

It was from this PDF which is a pretty interesting read. 

http://www.amlunsoc.org/archive/valleys/prinz%20summer%202008.pdf

[John]

Phew - I can cancel my order for a 1.8 metre scope now

It might have drawn a crowd at the SGL star party though !

[acr_astro]

Hello Mike,

fine sketch!!! I like especially the bright contrast between the crater rims and the lunar surface.

Clear skies!

Achim

[Mark at Beaufort]

Its been a month since I last tried to view Prinz and its Rilles. Having checked the lunar crater positions for tonight I noticed that Prinz was perfectly positioned for viewing. This time I was using my Orion VX8 to see if it made any difference. I used various eyepieces ES 6.7mm, Myraid 3.5mm, Baader Genuine 7mm and Binoviewers with 20mm EPs and also crossed reference Mike73 sketch and lunar photo.

Well the Rille was so easy tonight I could not believe it has taken me so long to view it. The Baader Genuine EP with a barlow gave me the clearest and sharpest view and I was able to make out Prinz B and possibly Prinz II rille. I was slightly surprised how much difference the Baader Orthoscopic made to the view - I suppose it shows that using different EPs on a particular objects can make a difference.

So thanks Mike for the sketch and I can say that I have now seen this rille as part of the Lunar 100 list.

[Moonshane]

I have just been looking at this with the 6" f11 dob. Easily visible in the good moments of seeing. rille 1 was easily seen and 2 was visible in the deepest areas. I used anything from 200x-400x

Lovely sketch as always Mike. So they are definitely doable in a decent (at least a decent slow) 6" newt when the lighting is favourable as it is just now.

[John]

Nice further reports on these targets

I should have had a scope out tonight but I was too tired following an outreach session with Bristol AS last night

Hopefully the coming weeks will provide more opportuniites to observe than the last couple of weeks have !

[todd8137]

Nice as always ,it's just been to windy here

Pat