Observing the Moon

[Ron]

I don't know why I don't spend more time in observing the Moon.  When I first got started with a telescope it seemed like I spent a lot of time observing and taking some shots of the Moon, but now days I over look one of the most interesting objects in the night sky.

I know we have all heard and talked about the Man in the Moon, but I have never heard anyone mention or talk about seeing the Smiley Face.  So far since I first discovered it I have seen it 3 times, but have never had my camera set up to snap a picture.

However, I have been able to show it to several members of my Astronomy Club and they all said they had never seen it before.  

My last effort was at my Club's winter star party, the OBS, Orange Blossom Special.  Sadly my timing wasn't right and I missed the lighting of the ridge around Mare Crisium that forms the smile, and the two craters that make the eyes.

I did snap a picture but I had to edit in the smile and the eyes.


This is the view through my scope therefore the smile is upside down.


This is the view if your scope flips the view

Ron

[Skywatcher]

Thanks, that is an interesting feature ! When in the moon's cycle is it visible? I think I shall take a look.

I used to like to photograph the "straight wall" which is visible day 8-10 of the lunar cycle as I remember. Have you ever seen the wall?
I agree that the moon is a good target but it is just too easy?

James C
Arkansas

[Ron]

James,

No I haven't seen the wall, that is something I'll have to look for.  Timing is everything, it's like trying to see the Lunar X, which I have yet to see.

I think the Smiley comes around the second to third day of the waxing crescent, to be exact the Moon was 2.88 days old, according to my SNPP  I wonder if there is a way you can determine when different parts of the terminator start to light up during the different phases?  I know one time I was watching the terminator when all of a sudden a couple of mountain peaks lit up and they looked like a pair of cat's ears.  They were like a couple of inverted v's, ^^

I think I will try to spend a little more time with the Moon

Ron

[drclay]

Apparently WalMart has been to the moon and trademarked it.....
Nice thing to point out and thanks!

Doc

[Ron]

Did anyone get a chance to look for the smiley?

I think it was supposed to happen yesterday, the 25th, but I was too lazy to set my scope up after just getting back from my Club's star party weekend

I will probably set up this evening if it isn't cloudy, according to the Skyclock it's supposed to be clear

Ron