Monday 6th to Sunday 12th January 2025
On Monday 6th, a little after dark, there is an opportunity to see the clair-obscur visual effect known as the "Lunar X & V" on the Moon's surface. At
Sunlight falling at particular angles on the Moon creates different visual effects at different times during its orbit around us and in the case of the "Lunar X & V" (that resemble the shape of those two letters in the alphabet) the effect can be seen on the terminator, which is the barrier between sunlight and darkness on the Moon's surface. The "X & V" are only visible for a brief period at the time of a waxing quarter Moon and are caused by sunlight hitting the rim of certain craters.
You will need binoculars or a telescope to see the shapes, but beside the "V" is a dark, flat area called the
Early astronomers with basic telescopes used to think that because these areas were dark and flat, they must be oceans of water. Of course we now know that not to be the case. The
Sticking with the lunar theme this week, if you go back outside around
www.starsoversomerset.com
Screenshots courtesy of Stellarium
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