Objects: Daly, Garner, Democritus, Montes Alpes, Vallis Alpes, Mare Frigoris, Mare Imbrium, Altai Scarp, Piccolomini, Tacitus, Ptolomaeus, Alphonsus, Arzachel, Purbach, Werner, Regiomnontanus, Walter, Alciensus
IWLOP Objects: L5: Garner & Democritus
Location: Home
Date: 2024-05-15
Time: 9:30 PM - 11:45 PM
Equipment: 10" Meade SCT, Fountain binoculars with 20mm eyepiece
Magnification: x120
Temperature: 11° C
Seeing: Good (3)
Transparency: Good (3)
Jerry and I were in the back yard planning an evening of experimentation with the newly-acquired Fountain Binocular eyepiece. I had plans for another IWLOP season as well. Impressed with the binocular eyepiece but also have to be mindful of the different settings required for Jerry's and my eyes.
I used the binoculars to complete the IWLOP L5: Gartner & Democrius. With that eyepiece in place, I wanted to show Jerry a few cool features that were very readily and clearly seen.
1- With Democritus and Garner in view, we could plainly see Vallis Alpes cutting through Montes Alpes. The mountains showed their ruggedness with highlighted peaks and long shadows on Mare Imbrium.
2- Altai Scarp was bright white, even against the sun-drenched surroundings. The SE end was at the edge of Piccolomini and arced irregularly northward with no real end spot. Tacitus was to its west/north end.
3- Near Altain Scarp were "sets" of craters that are fun to see:
a- Ptolomaeus, Alphonsus, Arzachel - The latter's central peak was very evident.
b- Area of the Lunar X - Purbach, Werner, Regiomnontanus, Walter, Alciensus. Much of their crater rims were lit but no sign of the "X".
Also refer to: IWLOP L5 (Libration Object): Gartner & Democritus