The Werner Cleft

[mikeDnight]

Attached is a rough sketch of Werner from Friday night 26 Jan 18, showing the appearance of the little known and rarely seen cleft inside the crater. I've never seen any image of Werner that shows the cleft, which is easily observable in a 4" scope, and few visual observers seem to know of its existence. I made a sketch of the crater a year ago while the crater was half filled with shadow, and again last night while under high illumination. I also noticed what appeared to be a second cleft linking the northern peak with the central peak, though this will need more observation to confirm its reality. 

A well illuminated view of Werner and its cleft. ( North Top )

 

[Alan White]

Had to take a look at the map to see where this was Mike, now found it.
Great sketch as always.
Lucky you getting a session in, was cloud here as usual.

[laudropb]

Another nice sketch Mike. I have observed Werner but have never noted the cleft.  I did a quick search through my reference books and can’t find a mention of it. Will have to get another look if the skies ever clear. Thanks for pointing this out.

 

 

[mikeDnight]

22 hours ago, laudropb said:

Another nice sketch Mike. I have observed Werner but have never noted the cleft.  I did a quick search through my reference books and can’t find a mention of it. Will have to get another look if the skies ever clear. Thanks for pointing this out.

 

 

I struggled to find any evidence of it in charts, except I Wilkins The Moon. I've attached a pic of Wilkins map of the region. He saw it on the crater floor but not beyond its walls.He was probably hindered by the excessive aperture of a 33 inch refractor! 

The attached image shows classic south top orientation. (Also attached in classic orientation are both my drawings. It's interesting how the peak appears more central when the crater is half filled with shadow!)

South Top

South Top (January 2018)

South Top (January 2017)

[mariosi]

Mike,

Wonderful report and sketch o fCrater Werner Cleft !

[laudropb]

Thanks for that Mike. I like a challenge andlook forward to viewing Werner again. I only have a written report in my log book. No sketch but no mention off a cleft either, so I must have missed it.

[Pete Presland]

Superbly sketched as always, another "to do" on my list