Crater Cruger and Sirsalis Rille

[Mike JW]

The target for this observation was to have a look at Crater Cruger – the one in the centre. Cruger has a very dark crater floor – basalt that has not been covered by lighter coloured ejecta material. Its low walls are very much intact. However, I then spotted that Rimae Sirsalis was well defined so I widen the sketch. I knew that as this cleft headed south there were branches that I had not observed before. So much excitement as the branch going through Darwin came into view and in fact some hints of a second one. Rimae Siralis is about 400km long and up to 1.5km wide. It is intriguing to follow as it curves through craters, bends, splits and disappears. This fault line is thought to be ancient, at least more than 3 billion years old. It is older than the Oriental Impact and could possibly be linked to the Imbrium Impact.

Mike

 

 

[Ruud]

Impressive work!  It's a beautiful sketch in every respect. 

[Mike JW]

Thanks Ruud - fascinating to roam the lunar landscape and to get unexpected bonuses. Mike

[acr_astro]

Hi Mike,

indeed this is an impressive sketch - I agree with Ruud!

And thanks for the background information!

Clear skies!

Achim 

[mikeDnight]

Really nice sketch Mike. 

[CraigT82]

Very nice and very skilled work! 

[mariosi]

Nice sketch!

[Stu]

Lovely stuff Mike. I was observing this exact same area the other night and really enjoyed Rimae Sirsalis and Rimae Darwin. You’ve captured it very well.

[Mike JW]

Cheers Stu - here is a sketch from awhile back when the target was the Sirsalis Rille but this time with Sirsalis central in the sketch and under very different lighting. Mike

 

[Stu]

Nice. I love where it runs through that crater, not sure of the name?

[Mike JW]

The crater name is De Vico - the one at the bottom of the second sketch. I should have turned the sketch to match the first one in this post. In the first sketch it intrigues me the way the rille bends as it goes through the crater (De Vico) - optical illusion? or that is what it does?