Another beautifully clear night, dominated by the waxing moon under surprisingly good seeing.
Scanning through the eyepiece showed Sinus Iridum on the terminator. I love the way it appears in this view! The crater rim is just catching the first rays of dawn while the crater floor remains in shadow. Note the fine wrinkle ridges in the bay itself.
Copernicus was a fine sight. Yesterday it was the black hole of Copernicus but today it is in full display with its prominent central mountains and terraced walls. The surrounding landscape is peppered by the ejecta blast and secondary impacts from its formation.
Alongside is the dome-rich regions of Hortensius and Milichius. I counted 12 domes in the field of view – and noted a few more are still hidden in the shadows. It is interesting to note that they will be impossible to see in a days or so as the sun rises higher.
Further south on the shores of Mare Nubium is the spectacular Hippalus rilles crossing the ear-shaped ruined crater Hippalus. Nearby is the flooded crater Kies and the subtle dome Kies π.
Finally, the southern polar region was on fine display. The crater Moretus with its prominent central mountain and terraced walls always catches the eye with the Malapert Massif lying beyond. I am hoping I have correctly identified the craters Malapert and Cabeus that provide the keys to the south pole itself – well when the libration allows.