Just north of Mare Crisium and formed during the Nectarian period more than 3.7
billion years ago is the 128 km. walled plain crater Cleomedes. This crater has a
high but worn margin and was nicely catching the last rays of sunlight overnight.
The large flat floor may have been flooded by lava that reached the crater floor
through fractures from the molten lava of Mare Crisium. What remains of the
central peak is a low wall oriented north-south and somewhat off center. A hint of
60 km. long ‘y’ shaped Rima Cleomedes was just detectable north of the central
wall running off to the southeast. To the northwest of Cleomedes is 57 km. crater
Burckhardt straddled by its close partners E and F. To the east of Cleomedes is
crater Delmotte (32 km.) and off to the northwest is crater Tralles (43 km.)
hugging the rim. On the floor from north to south are A and larger E which
together damaged the wall of Cleomedes upon formation. Crater B can be seen
south of the central wall and then J to the southeast on the floor. Resting on the
south rim is crater C. This region of the lunar surface was fascinating to observe
in this part of the lunation.
Sketching:
For this sketch I used: black Strathmore 400 Artagain paper, white and black Conte’
pastel pencils and a blending stump. Contrast was slightly increased after scanning.
Telescope: 10 inch f/ 5.7 Dobsonian and 6 mm eyepiece 241X
Date: 7-2-2007, 4:10-5:30 UT
Temperature: 18° C (65° F)
Clear, light winds
Seeing: Antoniadi II
Colongitude 116.6 °
Lunation 17.25 days
Illumination 96.4 %
Frank McCabe
Absolutely gorgeous sketch Frank!
I feel as though I could reach out and touch the lunar surface. Great job man!
Jason
Jason,
Thank you. The moon as you well know presents a nearly endless collection of sketching targets.
Frank