Picard Crater in Mare Crisium
The largest crater in Mare Crisium is still quite small.
Observer Comments
| Target Description | Picard is the largest crater in Mare Crisium, which isn't saying much. The crater is named for 17th century French astronomer and geodesist Jean Picard. Did he inspire the character name of Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek fame? Perhaps. But, to be clear, a Trekkie didn't name this crater. |
| Image Capture Description | This capture took place on the same evening as the conjunction of the crescent moon with the Pleiades (M45). So this image was taken "between" stacking of this cluster as part of one of the optional exercises in this program. The good news is that I had time to use the real-time lucky imaging and wavelet sharpening built into SharpCap. The bad news is that I could only use the Askar V configured with reducer to 384mm focal length, in order to be able to image all of M45 and the moon in the same frame. All that said, it is a useful image and substantially better than the Seestar would have delivered. |
| Program Links | <Previous | Lunar Program Listings | Next> |
| Date and Time Observed | 2025-04-01 22:00:00 |
| Phase Age | 3.8 days |
| Lunar Phase | Waxing Crescent |
| Illumination | 17% |
| Conditions | Transparency: Good. Seeing: Good. |
| Obs. Lat/Long | 42° 17', 073° 57' |
| Capture Software | SharpCap |
| Capture Type | Real-time lucky imaging with wavelet sharpening |
| Instrument | Askar V 80mm w reducer f4.8-384mm FL |
| Camera | ASI2600MC-Pro |
| Capture Details | Approx 100 images stacked |
| Post Processing | Levels adjusted in Affinity Photo |