Saturday May 18, 2024

Crater Copernicus (all night)

The prominent crater Copernicus is located in eastern Oceanus Procellarum D
due south of Mare Imbrium and slightly northwest of the moon's centre. This
800 million year old impact scar is visible with unaided eyes and binoculars
D but telescope views will reveal many more interesting aspects of lunar geology. Starting several nights before the moon reaches its full phase, Copernicus exhibits heavily terraced edges (due to slumping), an extensive ejecta blanket outside the crater's rim, a complex central peak, and both smooth and rough terrain on the crater's floor. Around full moon,
Copernicus' ray system, extending 500 miles (800 km) in all directions,
becomes prominent. Use high magnification to look around Copernicus for
small craters with bright floors and black haloes - impacts through
Copernicus' white ejecta that excavated dark Oceanus Procellarum basalt and even deeper highlands anorthosite.

(Data courtesy of Starry Night)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Linux
* Origin: CJ's Place, Orange City FL > cjsplace.thruhere.net (954:895/61)