Hi Chris,
Check out VMA at:
http://www.astrosurf.com/avl/UK_index.html
You can switch the view around. You can also find it and LPP reviewed at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-...g/message/1137
The new review will be coming out as soon as I get samples of the next
version, which should be in a week or two.
Clear Skies
Chuck Taylor
Do you observe the moon?
Try the Lunar Observing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/
Lunar Picture of the Day
http://www.lpod.org/
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"Doink" wrote in message
...
I have been observing for 6 months and have learned a lot along the way.
To
date, I haven't spent any time looking at the moon. This is the month to
start! So, I picked out a couple targets for our newbie group to observe
(March 27th). So, last couple of nights I go out and try to practice
finding our targets, which I thought would be easy, and I can't get
properly
oriented! The pictures on the software programs look a lot different than
the actual moon! (Starry Night Enthusiast & Virtual Moon) The "tilt" of
the moon seems to change----does it rotate about 20 - 30 degrees clock,
then
counter clock wise? The two programs I use don't seem to agree on this
"tilt". I want to locate the Apollo 11 landing site----no, not the stuff
left behind----and for size reference, the crater Theophilis.
I did get my scope(s) views right in my head---I understand which scope
reverses and flips what view, and I did orient my software to actual. But
I'm still having trouble getting precisely oriented to locate these
features. Is a 60 miles dia. crater too small of a target? (5"
refractor,
8" reflector) using V Block --- yes, the moon is WAY too bring now but I
wanted to practice----and 12-10-8-6 & 4mm Radian eyepieces in the arsenal.
Here's what I did and it seemed to help me get oriented. I used my newly
arrived Steady Pix to hold my digital camera in place....I took a couple
basic shots of the full moon and I'm using those---at least they are what
I
am actually looking at---seeing. Tranquillity looks totally different
that
the software models----lighting at full moon?---and Theophilis is a spec!
This using a 25mm eyepiece----don't want the camera scratching a
Radian....
Lunar tips? Are there any good charts or books out there? I can't seem
to
find anything....I started a group last fall and we'll have 20 observers
here on the 27th....I'll need to be familiar with our targets by then!
Chris