Plato craterlets

At what point in the moons phase is it best to resolve at least one
craterlet
in Plato? Just as it becomes visible or later when the sun is illuminating
Plato
fully?

At what point in the moons phase is it best to resolve at least one
craterlet
in Plato?

Depends on the scope and seeing conditions.
The craterlets are better at reflecting light than they are
at casting shadows.
Smaller scopes stand a better chance when Plato is fully
illuminated. Larger scopes with better resolution can nail
them in any light.
Catching Plato near lunar perigee doesn't hurt.
But Earth's atmosphere has the last word on their detection.

Mayer Duda wrote:
At what point in the moons phase is it best to resolve at least one
craterlet
in Plato? Just as it becomes visible or later when the sun is illuminating
Plato
fully?

You'll get good definition about a day past 1st quarter (8th day of the cycle).
If you miss that window, try observing Plato around 3rd quarter (21st or 22nd
day of the lunar cycle).

Regards,

Bill Ferris
"Cosmic Voyage: The Online Resource for Amateur Astronomers"
URL: http://www.cosmic-voyage.net
=============
Email: Remove "ic" from .comic above to respond

You'll get good definition about a day past 1st quarter (8th day of the
cycle).
If you miss that window, try observing Plato around 3rd quarter (21st or
22nd
day of the lunar cycle).

Regards,



Does that work for the wife too??

Contrast & optical integrity & good seeing really matter in this case. A good
refractor which can even include a good cr150
or a 8-12" f/5-f8 newt. Try neutral or dark blue filters. If
the sun is high you see bright spots. My favorite is a medial sun
angle to get some perception of dept.



Mayer Duda wrote:

At what point in the moons phase is it best to resolve at least one
craterlet
in Plato? Just as it becomes visible or later when the sun is illuminating
Plato
fully?

Contrast & optical integrity & good seeing really matter in this case. A
good
refractor which can even include a good cr150
or a 8-12" f/5-f8 newt. Try neutral or dark blue filters. If
the sun is high you see bright spots. My favorite is a medial sun
angle to get some perception of dept.




Holy Crap!!

On Fri, 26 Nov 2004 06:11:15 GMT, "Mayer Duda" wrote:

Contrast & optical integrity & good seeing really matter in this case. A
good
refractor which can even include a good cr150
or a 8-12" f/5-f8 newt. Try neutral or dark blue filters. If
the sun is high you see bright spots. My favorite is a medial sun
angle to get some perception of dept.


H*ly Crap!!


I've detected the white basins of 2 craterlets with a 60mm long focus
refractor at 100x before without difficulty. I detected several
features in Plato last night (basically full moon) through high thin
clouds using a 16" Newtonian with 9mm TMB SuperMono eyepiece and 3x
Russian barlow at 800x. Gonna miss viewing under these stable
southern skies...

Pete

"Pete Rasmussen" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 26 Nov 2004 06:11:15 GMT, "Mayer Duda" wrote:

Contrast & optical integrity & good seeing really matter in this case.
A
good
refractor which can even include a good cr150
or a 8-12" f/5-f8 newt. Try neutral or dark blue filters. If
the sun is high you see bright spots. My favorite is a medial sun
angle to get some perception of dept.


H*ly Crap!!


I've detected the white basins of 2 craterlets with a 60mm long focus
refractor at 100x before without difficulty. I detected several
features in Plato last night (basically full moon) through high thin
clouds using a 16" Newtonian with 9mm TMB SuperMono eyepiece and 3x
Russian barlow at 800x. Gonna miss viewing under these stable
southern skies...

Pete


Plato is an observing conundrum, but it is good to know that an 80mm should
be able to resolve
a 10 km diameter crater on the moon.....our wonderful moon.

I run 10 kms in 50 minutes BTW!!

Pete Rasmussen wrote in message news:d3peq0l4g


I've detected the white basins of 2 craterlets with a 60mm long focus
refractor at 100x before without difficulty. I detected several
features in Plato last night (basically full moon) through high thin
clouds using a 16" Newtonian with 9mm TMB SuperMono eyepiece and 3x
Russian barlow at 800x. Gonna miss viewing under these stable
southern skies...

Pete

Hi Pete ,

I detected 76 craterlets with the great
reflector at Mt. Palomar using a self ground and mounted 10mm
symmetrical eyepiece blessed by Mr. Hubble himself .
................... just a little joke .

Gonna miss viewing etc. ..... your not going anywhere are you
?

Top of the day Pete , Leonard

I doubt he has super mono's but Im glad you mentioned them -
they are ideal in this case. I just love mine for the contrast they
preserve.


Pete Rasmussen wrote:

On Fri, 26 Nov 2004 06:11:15 GMT, "Mayer Duda" wrote:

Contrast & optical integrity & good seeing really matter in this case. A
good
refractor which can even include a good cr150
or a 8-12" f/5-f8 newt. Try neutral or dark blue filters. If
the sun is high you see bright spots. My favorite is a medial sun
angle to get some perception of dept.


H*ly Crap!!

I've detected the white basins of 2 craterlets with a 60mm long focus
refractor at 100x before without difficulty. I detected several
features in Plato last night (basically full moon) through high thin
clouds using a 16" Newtonian with 9mm TMB SuperMono eyepiece and 3x
Russian barlow at 800x. Gonna miss viewing under these stable
southern skies...

Pete