Observation three with Binoculars-Lunar Rays

This is my binocular setup.

The Lunar certificate lists objects to view through binoculars (also called binos).  I own a pair of Pentax 8 x 42 DCF HRII.  They cost approximately $300.  They are sold for bird watchers (like me) but these binos operate great in low light conditions.  For long observations, I use a camera tripod with bino adapter attachment for the tripod.  I had to use a dremel tool to make the adapter fit my small binos.

This certificate was tested with 7 X 35 binos.  I checked out all the binos and talked to everyone in my astronomy club before I made a choice.  Likewise, there are many articles on the web about choosing binos for astronomy viewing.  So here we go!!!

The spokes or lines coming from the crater are rays. The rays correspond to the ejecta that were produced during the impacts that originated the craters.

During a full moon on July 22 at 10 pm, I observed the bright rays coming from the following craters with binoculars:

Sinus Iridum - Bay of Rainbows
Sinus Medii - Central Bay
Sinus Roris - Bay of Dew
Palus Somnii - Marsh of Sleep
Palus Epidemiarum - Marsh of Epidemics
Mare Vaporum - Sea of Vapors

The next observation will be August 10th approximately 9 pm.  The moon will be 4 days old or it is referred to as a waxing crescent. This will allow a different view of the light hitting another set of craters. 

44th Anniversary After Landing on the Moon

44 Years After the Apollo 11 Moon Landing

Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin salutes the American flag in a picture taken by mission commander Neil Armstrong on July 20, 1969.

Observation Two - Maria with the Naked Eye

The lunar maria /ˈmɑriə/ (singular: mare /ˈmɑreɪ/)^[1] are large, dark,basaltic plains on Earth's Moon, formed by ancient volcaniceruptions. They were dubbed maria, Latin for "seas", by early astronomers who mistook them for actual seas. 

There were clear skies tonight and the moon was illuminated 68 % which is called a waxing gibbous.  "Waxing" is the term used when the Moon's illuminated part is growing in size and "Gibbous" means more than half, but not full.  

The following list shows the maria I could see tonight:

Mare Crisium

Mare Focunditatis

Mare Serenitatis

Mare Tranquillitatis

Mare Nectaris

Mare Imbrium

Mare Frigoris

Mare Nubium

Mare Humorum - 7/20

Oceanus Procellarum - 7/20

There are more objects but these are required by the certificate program.  This list is as it appears on the program list which is by location instead of alphabetically.

Observation One with the Naked Eye

I like to figure out where the Man in the Moon pans out when I look up at the moon.  But finding the Woman, the Rabbit, and the Cow in the moon was great fun and took a big imagination!!!  Look up at the moon and try to draw what you see!

Sketches of Naked Eye Objects

 The Man in the Moon.

 The Woman in the Moon.

 The Rabbit in the Moon.

 The Cow Jumping over the Moon.

You have finished four observations about the moon with me!

Lunar Program Certificate

This is a boy looking at the moon through my telescope at an outreach event with the River Bend Astronomy Club, Highland, Illinois.

In this blog, I journal my progress of obtaining the Lunar Program Certificate which includes 100 objects to view.  This is a hobby and intended for family audiences.  My observations will not be technical but they will reflect a fascinating view of the moon in layman's terms!  So sit back and enjoy the facts about our moon!

I completed the requirements for the Astronomical League's Lunar Program Certificate in July 2014.  And this blog follows my lunar observations.

My love of astronomy started when I was a little kid staring out of the window at the moon instead of sleeping!  Since then, I am all about things to do with Astronomy.

I am an amateur astronomer with the River Bend Astronomy Club located at Highland, Illinois.  We do a lot of outreach with kids using our telescopes and learning kits.  I have a Messier Program Certificate with the Astronomical League.

Using the Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope (with GoTo) has been a challenge but it is light weight and works well.  It is a 5 inch Newtonian reflector on an altazimuth mount.