Other than for those who actually like to view it, the Moon is largely a pain in the star-gazers butt. Yes, there is the occasional occultation with stars of significance (which doesn't exactly get me that excited), and it’s good (actually, it’s essential) for solar eclipses (if you’re into that sort of thing), which by the way, are extremely infrequent for any given geographic location.  How many of us have seen a total eclipse of the sun in our backyard?

Yeah, yeah, I love the tides and appreciate that the Moon may have protected the Earth from stellar debris that might otherwise have obliterated us.  Of course, there are any numbers of other things that it might eventually be good for; staging eventual missions to other planets, colonization, low-G Olympic sporting events, etc...

But for the DSO hunter, it is light-pollution incarnate. Other than cloud cover, it’s the most common method nature has of ruining your evening - unless you live in NYC or LA, in which case, nature has nothing to do with it.

And when I do choose to aim my scope at it, even with a filter or two, my eyes are ruined for the rest of the session.

There’s nothing more frustrating than a cold, clear, crisp, windless, evening with a full Moon or reasonable facsimile.

I'm sorry.. Was I complaining?

I here ya.

Except for the occasional occultation of bright stars,Pleiades cluster, or conjunction with planets (December 11th with Mars) about the only time I look at the Moon  is for eclipses, lunar and solar. Some lunar eclipses aren't bad as well as the partial solar eclipse. But these are few and far between, and like you said, who has seen a total eclipse before from their backyard.

Back in 2001 I did the Astronomical Leagues Lunar Club program but other than that the Moon has barely gotten a occasional glimpse from me.

Like you I would rather have a moonless night to look at DSO's. There have been many times I have complained about the Moon on an otherwise perfect night as well.

Like I said.......I here ya.

 

I hear you too but unless you have a cunning plan, I am not sure that we can do anything about it so I work on the basis that "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" so I image it instead of the DSOs when it intrudes and to be honest, although I much prefer DSOs, it is still a brillant ( please excuse the pun ) subject to image.

Hmmm ... OK, for you non-lunartics, herewith a challenge (visual):

Valentine Dome (and the little protrusions atop it)

The Milichius-Hortensius Dome Field (how many can you count?)

Craterlets in the floor of Plato (ditto)

The Serpentine Ridge (how many times does it switch direction?)

The Sword (first you have to figure out what it is, then you have to find it!)

The fault on the floor of Lacus Mortis and the spot where it becomes a rille.

Any part of the floor of Mare Humboldtianum.

The crater Peary.

The crater Wargentin and its "elevated" floor.

The change in color of the lava flows at the edge of Mare Serenitatis.

Craterlets in the floor of Maurolycus (how many can you count?).

The crater Linne` (when can you see it?).

The "bright side" of the fault in the floor of Petavius.

The Altai Scarp (how much of it can you follow?).

Vallis Rheita (first find it, then read what caused it)

All these are tests. Only some are difficult, and the difficulties solely a matter of timing. All are within reach of the scopes listed in your signatures. If you already have seen them, no problem -- abandon the Moon. If not, find them. There are surprises galore in the same areas as these targets.

Oh, and I almost forgot -- if you think occultations are no big deal, why not try one in the daytime? Christmas morning, after sunrise, the Moon occults Spica (visible in most of the USA except the southwest).

 

chipdatajeffB wrote:

Hmmm ... OK, for you non-lunartics, herewith a challenge (visual):

Rats! Thanks a lot for the buzz-kill.  You would respond with a challenge.  Now I might have 'ta actually get a map of the moon check out some of this stuff.

Nice input Jeff, I must print your post out then go and find, must admit I'm a lunar person, now studying the Peter Grego Lunar Astronautical Charts, way cool.  There is plenty up there for us all no matter what we choose to look at.

Great reply Jeff,being a lunartic i can only agree,


Tom.

Here in western PA, the few nights in last two months when it's been clear AND when I've been home/available for viewing have been blessed (oops, I meant cursed) with a nearly full moon!  I've been wanting to find some other DSOs but find it nearly impossible.  On those nights, I generally just look at Mars again, a few bright open clusters, or the Orion Nebula.  I seem able to view the main nebula okay (don't know if a dark night would make a difference) but I'm finding the other fainter nebulas hard to spot with the moon wash.

I'd spend more time viewing the moon on these nights but I've already done a few small systematic surveys and, with the moon at full or near full, main lunar features are not at their prime.

Oh well...

Good point -- It is when the Moon is at its fullest (and therefore putting out the most light pollution), that technically it has the least favorable views as far as decerning detail is concerned.

Talk about adding insult to injury!

I am taking donations for a fund to remove the moon from earth orbit. I say we place it in orbit around either Mars or Venus. What say you?

Maybe cheaper would be to cover it with a big ol' honkin black shroud, which you could take off occasionally for special occasions.

Yea, full moon can be a drag, but I've had rewarding sessions viewing the skies before full moon is high in the sky, (looking at the southern and western area's).

I think the curse is, as mentioned, when the full moon has gone or before it began, those clouded nights have already conspired to be around.

cooltech

cooltech wrote:

Yea, full moon can be a drag, but I've had rewarding sessions viewing the skies before full moon is high in the sky, (looking at the southern and western area's). cooltech

That's all well and good for you -- but I live too close to a couple of major metropolitan areas.  20 degrees above the horizon is not an option except in one direction.  Luckily, that direction is South, so I have to really play the seasons - especially for circumpolar constellations - the Moon notwithstanding.

i enjoy observing the moon...well, it's either that, or the fact that with my scope I cannot observe anything deeper...

Aristillus, Archimedes, Clavius...well, I observed other craters too, but none that I could identify...

Yes I do agree that it does get bothering when its clear during the moon faze, but when its a new moon, i find it always gets cloudy or miserable out. aaaa well just a coincidence.

lunartic... I like that

Okay, so I'm a lunartic too. I can't help it, I'm still new to all of this so yes... I'm still awed by the moon. I'll print the challenge and take it, and hopefully I can identify an object, or two.