MARCH 30TH - SUNRISE AT MAUROLYCUS AND ASISTOTELES / EUDOXUS

[paulastro]

I had a fine session on the Moon starting not long after sunset which was rather cloud covered at first, but it cleared completely resulting in some fine seeing.   The terminator was full of detail, most notable being the sun rising at Maurolycus and also at Aristoteles and Eudoxus.  The area to the S and E of Eudoxus showed tremendous detail in the low illumination, forming a most beautiful picture.  I took some photos early on, and then concentrated on visual observing with the 120ED and binoviewer with Orthos giving x150 and x225. The seeing was always fairly good but it improved greatly and from about 8.30 to 9.00 pm it peaked such that it was rock steady like an etching - the sort of seeing I very seldom get at my site.  The last time I had such seeing was probably two or three years ago.  I was tempted to take some more pics in the pristine seeing, but it was better use of the time to drink in the view and just marvel at what the Moon has to offer in such seeing. To have such a period of seeing so steady like a picture for such a protracted period is a real thrill, and I was determined to make the most of it.

The single frame below was taken at 7.20 pm with the 120ED, Olympus E-M5 Mk11, 1/125 sec at 400 asa.  The crops are from the same frame.  As I said the seeing improved as time passed, and I'm afraid the pictures are poor compared with the views I was to get visually later on.

 

 

[morimarty]

What a great versatile scope the 120ed really is. Amazing detail in the first image in particular.

[paulastro]

I noticed that I used the wrong image for the close up of Aristotles and Eudoxus.  For some reason my computer wont let me edit my original post, so I've included the better image here.

[Ruud]

Hi Paul. That's a beautiful disk! Thanks for posting.

[BRADLEY 1953]

Hi  Paul,   your first image is lovely. Unfortunately it remains cloudy in these parts.  Cheers  Chris.