Observations>Telescope Objects>Craters ~4 Days Old

Plinius: between Tranquility and Serenity


An easy-to-find crater located at the boundary of the Maria Tranquilitatis and Serenitatis, with lots going on!

Observer Comments

Target DescriptionMy 6.8 day First Quarter capture turned out to be the best to show the features I wanted. Plinius itself is easy. But I wanted to show the rilles, and that's close to the limits of the Seestar's resolution, and the capture timing was a day or two late. Still, 6.8 days was the best I had, and you can just make out the two largest rilles when I boosted gamma. I was also intrigued by the change of color of the base Maria. Mare Serenitatis has a lighter color than Tranquilitatis. You can see the boundary right about where "Plinius Rilles" is written in the second image (you can return to the first image to find it unobstructed).
Image Capture DescriptionThis was an unexpected break... the weather forecast was for clouds, and earlier in the evening it had been completely clouded over. But as I was turning off the lights to go to bed, I discovered it was clear. So, out came the Seestar, and I was able to capture a nearly precise Quarter Moon. We've been in a terrible, cloudy pattern this spring, making this one of only two new images I've captured since making the decision to pursue the Lunar Program.
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Capture Details

Date and Time Observed2025-04-04 22:45:00
Phase Age6.8 days
Lunar PhaseFirst Quarter
Illumination50%
ConditionsTransparency: Good. Seeing: Good.
Obs. Lat/Long42° 17', 073° 57'
Capture SoftwareSeestar
Capture TypeSingle-image
InstrumentSeestar S50 f5.0-250mm FL
CameraSeestar Built-in SONY IMX462 Sensor
Capture DetailsAuto capture
Post ProcessingLevels adjusted in Affinity Photo