Lunar X

The Moon at First Quarter -.A single exposure using thev 127mm. Apo refractor at f=950mm, Canon 600 D DSLR RAW format. Credit: Kurt Thrust

"Early in the evening of the 22nd of February the sky was as clear and as steady as I can remember having seen from the Jodrell Plank Observatory. Whilst I was setting up the scope for some deepsky work I took a couple images of the Moon at First Quarter.

For about four hours, around and about the First Quarter, sunlight falling at an oblique angle on the face of the Moon illuminates the crater walls of a number of closely located craters creating the visual illusion of a bright letter 'X'.

Can you spot the 'X' on the above image? If you cannot look below - such fun". Kurt Thrust - acting CEO and current Director of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.
 

The Lunar X illumination affect slightly enhanced to make it easier to see: Credit: Kurt Thrust