Crescent moon 9th February 2008

First chance to image the Moon in 2008

Tonight has been the first chance I have had to image the Moon. 

The past few weeks have been WET!............VERY WET!....it seems to have been raining forever here in Pembrokeshire. 

Luckily the clouds moved away tonight just long enough to capture this image, and about five others.

Here's hoping 2008 will bring Clear Skies......AND LESS RAIN!!!

Burning ring of fire...on the Moon

Earlier this week I was observing the gibbous moon, I noticed what looked like a burning ring of fire to the north of Plato.

It turned out to be the crater Fontenelle.

The whole rim of this crater was sunlit, giving a wonderful light show down here in Simpson Cross.

The main body of the crater was on the terminator, further enhancing the effect of the bright ring.It was mesmerising, I had not seen this event before.

This was approximately 6.00 to 6.30p.m. 18/12/07.... the moon was gibbous.

I was outside again at 10.00p.m. the effect had lessened, the sun's rays had moved on slightly.

As long as I time it right, hopefully in 28 days time +- I will see it again....