Saturday morning in the Taurus Littrow valley.

[NGC 1365]

Yesterday evening I planned to have a look at the Apollo 17 landing site through my 18 inch scope, but backburning in the local national park a few Km's away sent the smoke over my area with the easterly wind, so that put a stop to that idea. This morning while taking the dogs outside around 5am, the sky was clear and the moon was still high so took out my G&G set up (Tak FC76DC, Nagler 3-6mm zoom and a vixen porta mount) for a quick look at the Taurus Littrow area where the Apollo 17 astronauts landed and explored. Using the zoom on the 6mm (95x) setting I quickly located the area on the south eastern edge of Mare Serenitatis and starting off from Littrow crater could spot North Massif as well as the sculptured hills just south of it. To the east South massif was quite distinct, and a shadow from it was cast across the valley floor just short of the actual landing spot. Upping the magnification to the 3mm setting (190x) gave a little more detail on both massifs and the seeing could have easily allowed more magnification. This is an interesting area visually and I was hoping to view it with more detail in the 18 inch, but better luck next month. Thanks for reading.

[John Donne]

I have enjoyed this report NGC.

I was watching the beautiful moon with you last night, but from the library windows unaided by my telescope.

Reading you here this morning with a hot cup of coffee has been a pleasure.
Thank you.

[NGC 1365]

Thanks for the likes and comment.

[helicon]

Very interesting choice of targets Ivan and one which more folks should probably try. Congrats on exploring the area and on winning the VROD of the day.

[turboscrew]

Congrats on the VROD!

[Bigzmey]

Nice lunar session Ivan. I have enjoyed your descriptions. Inspire me to go and look at the Moon. Congrats on VROD!

[Thefatkitty]

Nice read Ivan; must have been quite the sight. Hopefully you get to set your sights on it with your 18" soon. And congrats on the VROD!

All the best,

[kt4hx]

Well done on the VROD Ivan.

[NGC 1365]

Thanks all for the comments and likes. I normally view the moon with a 7 inch Mak, but of late I've really been enjoying the ease of use of the little Takahashi. I was out this morning again viewing Hadley rille, Mons Hadley and Mons Hadley Delta in the Apennine valley where the Apollo 15 astronauts landed. Thanks again for reading and the VROD.