Crater Davy (35 km.) and the Davy crater chain (catena) were my targets for this evening of sketching and although the seeing and transparency were predicted to be above average that was not the case.
The Davy crater chain is 45-50 km. in extent. It arcs across the floor and eastern rim of crater Davy Y (70 km.). Since it does not line up with any impacts of note it is not likely a sequence of secondary craters. There is also no evidence of volcanic activity associated with this chain. Robert Wichman and Charles A. Wood as well as H. J. Melosh and E. A. Whitaker believe that a comet (or asteroid) may be responsible as it broke up while inside the Earth’s roche limit. As it went in on the moon like a train of meteors it would have created a chain of impacts. A paper published in 1994 by Melosh and Whitaker explains the hypothesis.
Crater Chains on the Moon: Records of Comets Split by the Earth’s Tides?; H. J. Melosh and E. A. Whitaker, Lunar and Planetary Lab, University of Arizona, Tucson, Az.
Sketching:
Black Artagain paper, white and black Conte’ pastel pencils, white Pearl eraser, blending stumps
Telescope 13.1” f/6 Dobsonian telescope on an equatorial drive platform at 332x with 6mm eyepiece
Date: 03-29-2015, 00:00 – 03:00 UT
Temperature: -5°C (24° F) clear, calm
Seeing: Variable, Antoniadi III(fair)-IV (poor)
Colongitude: 11.6 °
Lunation: 8.4 days
Illumination: 64.7 %
Frank McCabe
Hello master Frank!
I have followed Your excellent sketches during the last years and its always
a master-piece of work I see.
Today is another beautiful sketch of crater Davy.
I take off my hat for Your talent!!
CONGRATS!
Per-Jonny.
I agree with Per-Jonny, this sketch is so realistic!
I love these kind of lunar drawings made on black paper, and the explanation is very well documented too.
Congratulations Frank.
David
Per-Jonny and David,
Thank you both for your comments on this lunar sketch.
I waited a good while to get the view I have been hoping for
and I was glad I could capture it.
Thank you both.
Frank 🙂
Hi Frank
Another masterpiece of your so huge work.
It’s always a great pleasure while wake up in the morning seeing one of your sketch, read your interesting explanations and discover the details while zoom it for a pretty voyage. Thank you for sharing those sketches Frank!
Michel
Michel,
Thank you so much for your very kind words.
For those of us that try to capture our observing time with a sketching record, we know the joy of the capture. I don’t think we will ever run out of targets or the pleasure of the quest.
Frank 🙂
Frank,
I really enjoy this sketch. The details down to the smallest craterlets are there and give such a “hovering over the surface impression”. Very fine work indeed. Always a pleasure to see and learn from one of your sketches.
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
Thank for all those nice words.
You would have loved this view in your 12″ scope.
You will have many chances to catch it in perfect lighting in the months ahead.
Then we will all have an opportunity to see your rendition, which I’m sure will surpass this one.
Frank 🙂
Bravissimo Frank!!!!
i want this day to made a new Moon sketch but the clouds…….ufff!!!
Ciao!!