April 17, 2016: Short Lunar Session

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I managed a short lunar observing session, and very pleased to see the Mare Imbrium lava flows properly for the first time. I had looked up a number of sources to find out what to look for and could clearly pick out subtle changes in the shades of grey in the Mare. What initially looks like a smooth, featureless plain is in fact a patchwork of different terrains. Really interesting to see, but not easy to pick up unless you really know what to look out for. The were best seen in the Nagler 22mm T4 and the Delos 14mm. Plato's craterlets also flitted in and out of view fitfully, albeit only the big four. Spent some time working out the best magnification for the  night, moving up to 406x with the XW 5 (too much) and down to 145x with the Delos 14 (too little). The Delos 8mm at 254x seemed to be the best, with the XW10 (203x) a close runner up.