Lunar rays

[jetstream]

Did anyone get a chance to observe all the rays on the moon tonight? it was a fantastic show. They kept evolving as I finished up, with new ones forming and the current ones changing. The SW120ED/binos did a great job tonight.

[Pig]

Nice one Gerry, I can't say I have really noticed them before..... all clouded out here so no luck for me.

[Peter Drew]

I had some excellent views last night with a 20" despite the rather low declination of the Moon. I can't say that I either looked for or particularly noticed the rays at this point in the lunation.  

[jetstream]

20" for lunar.... I had the 15" /binos out the other night, stunning to say the least. The seeing and wind last night made the 120mm a perfect option and the wide views really gave an excellent presentation of those shadows- I guess shadows is a better way to describe them. The binos gave such fantastic views, much better than mono IMHO.

The detail in larger aperture telescopes cannot be understated though, even when seeing forces down the mag. I've had people literally shocked after viewing the moon through the 15"...

[Peter Drew]

I certainly noticed the shadows!. I also agree that despite its proximity and brightness, the Moon is a great candidate for large apertures and magnification when possible. No other astronomical object offers so much detail.  

[LukeSkywatcher]

1 hour ago, Peter Drew said:

I certainly noticed the shadows!. I also agree that despite its proximity and brightness, the Moon is a great candidate for large apertures and magnification when possible. No other astronomical object offers so much detail.  

I'll never forget my first view of the Moon through my 8" scope. It was a perfect night for observing and i was using my newly purchased (but never before tried) 4mm Celestron Omni. I honestly felt like i was hovering just a few hundred metres above the Lunar surface. Have never had such a perfect night since. Cant say ive used the 4mm omni since, either.