Lunar targets for tonight 22nd April

[IB20]

The conditions tonight are forecast extremely favourable so I might spend a night exploring the moon.

Can anyone recommend any easy beginner lunar targets or regions of interest for tonight? I’ve only really taken pictures of it through my dob and tend to get a bit over-awed and lost when viewing it with higher mags, so maybe having some targets to aim for will make it more enjoyable.

Cheers!

👍

 

[Dark Vader]

Sinus Iridium and the Jura mountains is where I'll be starting later. The "Golden handle" could be visible tonight. Dob view towards the bottom right hand side on the terminator.

Then I'll see what's still visible from last night's session. Should be loads of other good stuff to see.

Edited April 22, 2021 by Dark Vader

[Andy ES]

Tonight’s Moon at 22:00hrs. Respect to Paulastro for this link

https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4874

 

 

 

 

Edited April 22, 2021 by Andy ES

[IB20]

Well had a decent moon only first session. I’ve discovered that the Hyperflex 21.5-7.2 zoom eyepiece is an exceptional lunar tool and even beat the 10mm BCO.

Spent the majority of the time referencing a moon globe app and putting names to craters. I think my favourite so far is Plato. Also saw Rupes Recta; it does actually appear like a straight line! I think I will certainly dedicate more time to lunar viewing as have really enjoyed it.

 

Edited April 22, 2021 by IB20

[John]

16 hours ago, IB20 said:

Well had a decent moon only first session. I’ve discovered that the Hyperflex 21.5-7.2 zoom eyepiece is an exceptional lunar tool and even beat the 10mm BCO.....

 

I'm glad you enjoyed your session. I agree with you re: the 21.5-7.2 zoom. I have one and use it a lot more than I thought I would. I often use mine with the Baader 2.25x barlow lens to great a 9.55-3.2 zoom - great for high power observing when you need to tweak the power frequently.

 

 

Edited April 23, 2021 by John

[IB20]

1 hour ago, John said:

I'm glad you enjoyed your session. I agree with you re: the 21.5-7.2 zoom. I have one and use it a lot more than I thought I would. I often use mine with the Baader 2.25x barlow lens to great a 9.55-3.2 zoom - great for high power observing when you need to tweak the power frequently.

 

 

I hadn’t shown the zoom EP much love since acquiring it, despite it performing well on Mars it lost out to the 10mm BCO. Similarly it has lost out to a combo of the 25mm BST & 13mm Delite for DSOs but now might have found its niche. I started my session early evening and there was visible heat flux affecting the image; being able to change mag instantly really helped cut through this. As it got darker and everything cooled down the zoom just kept performing, even with the 2x barlow.