With high pressure moving into my observing area, there was a good chance that the
cloud cover would break up and move out before local midnight. Eventually it did.
The nearly full moon hung low and large in the sky to the south. The largest mare
on the lunar surface is the Ocean of Storms. A pair of similar looking, north to
south oriented craters at the western extreme of the Ocean of Storms is linked to
each other by a rille-like chain of craters. The southern most crater of the pair
is the 50 km. diameter Cardanus. This crater was demonstrating its terraced walls
and hilly irregular ramparts in the low altitude sunlight. Following the catena
southward for a little more than 60 km. we arrive at the other member of the pair
named Krafft. Like Cardanus crater Krafft (51 km.) has in addition to the features
of the former, a crater of 13 km off set from the center of the floor. The sun was
high enough to illuminate much of the impact debris of the region in the form of
numerous crater rays. Closer to both the terminator and limb of the moon in the
libration zone larger craters Vasco de Gama and Dalton are making their appearances
from the long lunar night.
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: 7-29-2007, 3:10-4:30 UT
Temperature: 23° C (74° F)
Partly cloudy, calm
Seeing: Antoniadi III
Colongitude 83.6 °
Lunation 14.6 days
Illumination 99 %
Libration long. -4.7°
Frank McCabe
Why Frank, I do believe that I’m beginning to recognise your style. No more having to read the caption to know whose work it is. I especially like the way you render slumped crater walls. It’s something that I work hard at but don’t always succeed. another fine sketch.
Impossible to confuse your drawings,you think: it belongs to Frank. Really good. Beautiful craters! Thanks
Gerry and Leonor,
Thank you, I was not able to say thanks earlier because of internet problems. I am glad you both liked the drawing.
Frank