paulastro

I was out observing from 8.30pm to 9.50pm and again from 11.45pm to 00.30am. I had a break to wait for a little more of M Orientale to become illuminated. Many people have problems observing M Orientale because it is difficult to know what you are looking at, unless you are very familiar with the area. Of course, it also requires a large and exceptional libration to the S/SW. The best chart I have seen is section 68 of the Cambridge Photographic Moon Atlas, published in 2012. Alas this was a short print run and it is very hard to find. If you have one, hang on to it, you want believe the prices asked for copies online! I have attached a photo of the relevant section below. It was amazing last night and I could see all of the features labelled on the chart. When you look at the dimensions, and the view of the photo taken from the other side of the Moon, it really brings home what you are actually seeing when observing it. Well worth observing when ever it is favourable. I was observing with my 102ED F7 Tecnosky refractor. The pic I took was a single frame taken with the Olympus E-M5 Mk11. Needless to say, the view through the scope was far better than my photograph! I have included a crop which can be compared with the chart in the atlas. Taken at 23.54pm when the illumination was 99.9%, colongitude 97.8 degrees, lunation 15.81 days.

John, I'm really delighted you've achieved a lunar 1st. I'm pretty sure I've never seen it so well, mainly because like yourself I probably never had such a good guide as the Cambridge Atlas. I have the 21st Century Atlas, I'll check it out - and also the link you sent, so thanks for that.

It sure does count Stephen! 🙂.

As you say Paul, it's not easy unless you know what you are looking for. The best source of information I'm aware of is section 68 of The Cambridge Photographoc Moon Atlas which I used myself. When I post my report I'll post a copy of the relevant page.

Well worth a look, it's very favourable. I'm in for a break and will be out again later for another look. Will post more details and a pic tomorrow. Probably the best view I've ever had of it. Very pleased 🙂.

Sorry about yesterday's naff prediction. This is what happens if you rely on information from a third party and don't check it yourself! Well, I have checked it out for myself now, and it will be visible tonight - assuming you have some clear sky. If you follow a line south from Grimaldi for a distance of 3-4 times Grimaldi's length, and then travel 90 degrees to the west limb you'll find it.

Good observing last night, despite poor seeing with fine scintilation almost continuously. Nice views with Tecnosky 102ED F7, FPL53 in better moments. Bailly was particularly well placed, as was Riccioli and many other features on the W/SW limb. Single frame taken with Olympus E-M5 Mk11 at 9.14pm, 1/400sec at 200asa. The crop shows a closer view of Bailly.

Yes it is Bailly 👍

I got M Oriental's information from S@N mag, afraid it's wrong I should have checked it. It may be visible tomorrow, but it's not tonight, sorry chaps! Bailly, Riccioli and Hevalius are well placed though, particularly the first two. Also terminator detail in area of Eddington and Struve. Back to the scope 🙂

Congratulations John, sounds fabulous 🙂. What a great start 💥. I didnt know there were some sunspots, hope I havent missed anything too good! 🤔. I'm sure the Moon will come up trumps as well if you manage to observe it later. 👍

A favourable libration on the SW limb gives the opportunity to observe Mare Orientale, tonight and tomorrow night. On 25th only, Hevelius, Schickard and Wargentin are also fairly favourable. In addition, Riccioli and Bailly should be very favourable right on the terminator.

Hi Stephen. Although I was using high powers with my binoviewer on the Moon, I didnt use them on this particular feature as it was of no particular interest at the time. As you say, my photo was only a single frame where the exposure is averaged for the whole Moon - not correctly exposed for any particular feature. When I have some time, I'll do another crop and try and 'lift' the exposure for the area of the 'cats eyes', and see if anything else shows up. If I find anything I'll let you know.

I feel excited for you John, and perhaps a little green 😁. Have a great first light, always a special occasion. 💥🔭

I wouldn't let Acrab67s comments spoil your enjoyment of purchasing your new scope John - it would be a shame. I predict that either on Thursday or Friday (depending on when you have first light), you will be one happy owner. My 102ED version is a fine scope, and I'm sure yours will be the same.

Stephen, how far away from the 'eyes' are you talking about? My snap shows much less than what could be seen through my 102mm, and the image is low-res, only a single frame.

Perhaps there is a giant cat living on the Moon, which usually stays on the dark side, but just came to have a look at what he was missing? 🙂

Thanks for your observation and pointing this out Stephen. I'd noticed these two 'cats eyes' of course, but didnt think of them as a pair of eyes until I turned my pic into horizontal mode after reading your post - then the effect looks quite striking! 🙂. So thanks for pointing it out. I'd also not yet checked what they were - I'll check out the area later.

Glad to hear its on its way John. I presume it will come tomorrow - my 102 version did. 🙂 Look forward to hearing how you get on with it.

I observed with my Tecnosky 102ED F7 from 5.50pm until 7.35pm when thin layers of cloud started to come in. The seeing was fairly poor with fine scintilation with the Moon in the middle of a halo. It was still very nice to get out, just under a month since my last lunar session due to a very poor run of weather. Still very nice to see Gassendi and Schiller. Also good detail in the adjoining craters Mee and Heinzel not far N of Schiller. I took a single frame with my Olympus E-M5 Mk 11 at 7.33pm, 1/320 at 400 asa.

Have a good session John. 🙂

The terminator will be about half way across the floor of Gassendi at around 7pm, and Schiller on the terminator just about fully illuminated. Kepler also looks to be quite well placed. I hesitated mentioning the weather forecast, so please remember, I'm only the messenger 🙂. The Moon transits around 8.40pm - but some cloud may arrive in some parts before midnight, so dont leave it too late.

So it wouldn't have anything to do with the fact you have just sold a couple of items and the money is burning a hole in your pocket then Mike? 😁.

Mike, save yourself a load of dosh. I'll sell you my Vixen Super Polaris mount, already in altaz configuration, for a mere £450 - including a tripod and slow motion controls 🤣. I'd not heard of this mount before, but it's a bit pricey. the tripod to go with it is £216, and I'm not sure the basic price includes a counterweight bar 🙂.

John. As Mike said, I bought the 102 f7 version, also from Rupert, just before Christmas. Very few observing opportunities since, hence I havent posted a review yet. However, in the few, and brief, opportunities I've had, I am already delighted with it. Build quality really good and the focuser, the same as on your 125 version, is excellent. Optically it does seem excellent, and it seems a tad better than the many ED Pro SWs I've used and owned . I dont have a 120 or a 100 for a direct comparison, but either way if the 125 performs as well pro rata as my 102, I'm sure you will be delighted with it. I'll look forward to hearing how you get along with it.

Yes, clogs!