A quick night with a 98.5% moon, a Tak and TOEs.

[IB20]

First time I’ve had some intermittent clear skies for 2-3 weeks so popped the 76DCU out. Whilst seeing was quite poor for Mars, the moon was fair game for some nice views at 143x and 228x with the 4mm and 2.5mm TOEs respectively. 

Spent a great deal of time observing craters I hadn’t observed before, snapped some afocal iPhone images and have just used the NASA lunar phase map to identify the stand out craters https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4955

Enjoyable little session, you can always rely on the moon. 

 

[mikeDnight]

Lovely informative images, and a seemingly enjoyable session with some very nice equipment. 

[IB20]

Thanks @mikeDnight, it’s just been nice to get back outside under the stars after a long period of cloud. I don’t spend enough time on the moon but when I do I always have a great observing session. 

 

[Stu]

Nice report @IB20. I was just doing similar things with my fs-60q 👍

[IB20]

6 hours ago, Stu said:

Nice report @IB20. I was just doing similar things with my fs-60q 👍

Are you finding that the Q module makes a bigger optical difference on the FC-60 compared with the 76DCU?

[MalcolmM]

Was about to say I have not been able to use more than x150 on the moon recently, but actually I have not even seen the moon recently!

Nice report. I enjoy observing at that lunar phase. No idea why, but I find the area around Grimaldi fascinating. I think it's because when libration allows, you can glimpse bits of the moon that are often unobservable!

Great link too, I have not seen that one before.

The 2.5 TOE is a great eyepiece. I use it mostly with the FS60CB. It is surprisingly easy to use for such a short focal length.

Malcolm 

[Stu]

7 hours ago, IB20 said:

Are you finding that the Q module makes a bigger optical difference on the FC-60 compared with the 76DCU?

Yes, I believe it does, but it still helps with the 76mm I think. Better edge sharpness and less field curvature. I think I did a comparison some time ago.