Lunacy on Nacional St

by Jamie Dillon


Pulled Felix out into the backyard last night with a clear sky overhead, showed Liam Mizar and Alcor, and Cor Caroli. Then played and stared at the Moon for a good stretch. I'm still on a beginner's method with the Moon, scan and look for interesting sights. This time it was Gassendi, a crater with a big even hole punched in its rim, off Mare Humorum. What really caught me up were three nearby craters, right on the terminator line, with pitch black floors, so they looked like sandworm holes in a tidal zone. Bright circular tidy rims and opaque Stygian insides. Two of these were Gassendi E & K, and the other one in between the two and the main crater was unnamed in Rukl. Jo and Liam came out when cajoled to gaze at this view and whistle.

Ended with M3, hazy last night but a place I go all spring and summer. M5 is moving up into our home field of view, M13 also not far behind.

Next new Moon we're going to a campout at our dark and wild place out by Mariposa, Meherana. I'm really badly itching now for the dark hills.