22 April 2024 Observation report

   It dawned on me that I haven't updated this blog in quite a while. I have been making entries in my paper journal, and need to bring them over here. The paper journal stays up to date because I typically make some notes at the 'scope  and finish them up once inside before my memory gets too fuzzy. I was originally going to set up last night, since we had a clear night forecast. Unfortunately, the USFS has several controlled burns going so smoke turned the transparency to nothing. 

    Tonight started out clear, with the Moon at 97% full so I decided to focus on that. Concentrated on the SW quadrant trying t o locate some of the craters on the Lunar 100 checklist. Started with the 25mm eyepiece, then went t o the 17mm. Going to a smaller focal length eyepiece just magnified unsteady seeing. I was able to identify and observe Mare Nubium and craters Schickard and Schiller. Tycho is very easy to find, since it is visible from the rays with the naked eye.  I think I identified Gassendi, but wasn't real sure. I didn't do any sketching tonight, wish I had. 

    Finding additional landmarks can sometimes be a challenge. I found that the lunar charts I copied from my Norton's were almost impossible to make out details on. The actual charts in the book aren't really any better. I definitely need to get a good lunar chart. I am looking at the Sky and Telescope Field Map of The Moon, in it's reversed image edition. Paired with their regular moon map, I think that will work great.

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