Aristarchus crater is located on the aptly named Aristarchus Plateau or “Pyroclastic Aristarchus” in the Oceanus Procellarum- The Ocean of Storms. This General longshot overview of the 40 km diameter subject is the preferred option, as the close-up of the crater itself is particularly challenging due to the luminance of the crater. It is very easily overexposed. Aristarchus itself is one of, if not the brightest objects visible on the Luna near side to Earth, in fact it is easily seen with the naked eye and visible during “Earthshine”. It is located on the similarly named Plateau which itself has a different texture to the surrounding areas, is distinctive by its reddish tones is a 2 km high escarpment at its highest point and is a 200 km diamond shape. Another interesting feature of the crater itself are the walls that contain “bands” similar to spokes on a wheel.
The Neighbouring Crater is Herodotus, unlike its famous friend has a near flat lava filled floor. In some quarters this impact is attributed to causing the volcanic depression which in turn created the aptly named feature “The Cobras Head pit” that caused the massive outpouring of lava that created the longest rille valley on the Moon the “Vallis Schröteri” which is 185 km in length and 10km at its widest point.
The impact ejecta rays and the excavated “White rock” which make this Luna area so appealing are clearly visible in this image. The area also has a history of “High transient Luna Phenomenon”.
Imaged from Torrevieja Spain.
www.astroronomy.comEquipment used: ZWO ASI294 CM Pro, SKYMAX pro 180 Mak-Cass. Images captured with Sharpcap.5000 frames 21/sec. Stacked with Registax 3 finished with Photoshop
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