IWLOP #115 - Kepler & Encke

Recent impact crater Kepler (32 km), with its uneven floor and bright ray system, contrasts with older crater Enke of nearly the same size.

Location: 8.1 N 38.0 W    Origin: Impact     Diameter: 32 km (Kepler), 29 km (Encke)   Rukl: 30    Type: Complex Crater

Objects: Kepler, Encke

Observation 1:
Location: Home

Date: 2021-04-24
Time: 10:06 PM ADT
Equipment: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepiece: Explore Scientific 4.7 mm with 82° FOV

Magnification: x530
Seeing: Good (3) 
Transparency: Good (3)

R1: Kepler deeper than Encke. Kepler, because of its size, gave me the initial impression it was shallower until I looked at it in more detail using a different eyepiece (9.7 mm vs. 4.7 mm). Kepler's floor and inner walls quite bright compared to Encke.

C2: The tiny crater N was barely discernible on the west wall of Encke. It took patience; had to wait for the seeing to improve. 

   

Observation 2:
Location: Home

Date: 2021-05-23
Time: 11:22 PM ADT
Equipment: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepiece: Explore Scientific 4.7 mm with 82° FOV

Magnification: x530
Seeing: not recorded
Transparency: not recorded

R2: Kepler's rays extend north to Aristarchus, west to Reiner and Gamma Reiner, and overlaps some of the ejecta from Copernicus in the east. Very little ejecta visible to the south.

C1: The extent of Kepler's ray system was sketched.

Observation 3:
Location: Home

Date: 2021-06-20
Time: 10:37 PM ADT
Equipment: 10" Meade SCT
Eyepiece: Explore Scientific 4.7 mm with 82° FOV

Magnification: x530
Seeing: Excellent (5)
Transparency: Very Good (4)

I decided to have another look at these two craters.

  • Kepler was now evidently quite deep with the floor mostly in shadow due to the steep walls.
  • Encke's flat(?) floor was exposed. A small crater in the north wall was very noticeable.
  • Maestlin, southwest of both craters, was visible. It was small, possibly steep-sided with its crater rim well lit. Its floor was very small and dark.

 

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