Lunar mountains through astronomical telescope. Montes Caucasus.

In these images we see a few mountains on the Moon, namely Montes Caucasus and northern Montes Apenninus. Since the terminator is close to this area, peaks and the shadows they produce are best seen.

Montes Caucasus start north west of the crater Eudoxus, and ends at the south, where Montes Apeninnus begin. Montes Caucasus, as Apenninus, are surrounded by two large basins, Mare Imbrium and Mare Serenitatis.

Between the Caucasus mountains, we distinguish a crater called Calippus (33 km), which at this stage we find it immersed in darkness.

Other craters seen here are: Lamech (13 km), Egede (37 km), Cassini (57 km), Theaetetus (25 km), Alexander (82 km).

Magnitude: -10.82
Phase: 0.46
Distance: 399.283 km
Illuminated: 45.6% (0% = New, 100% = Full)

Astronomical instrument: Celestron C8-Newtonian telescope,
Eyepiece: Plossl 20mm, 2x Barlow
Mount: CG5 (EQ5)
Camera: Sony CX130
Filter: no
Date: 30.01.2012
Location: Baia Mare, Romania
Processing: FastStone Image Viewer

In the picture below are labeled craters and other lunar features in the region. To better understand this photo, you should note that the label with the name or the letter of larger craters could be found at their center, and on the small craters, you should find them around them, usually above.

Image from 10 February 2011.

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Montes Caucasus telescope images of the Moon

Montes Caucasus, are a continuation of Montes Apenninus, and part of the rim of Mare Imbrium impact basin. Alexander crater (82 km), which looks like a canker in the Caucasus Mountains, is their right, not far from Calippus crater (33 km), which is located in the middle of the mountains.
   In the second photo above, is central crater Burg, in the middle of Lacus Mortis.

 The image below with the names of features of this area, is processed in Registax. All Registax pictures are found here: Registax: Alexander Crater and Montes Caucasus Images through the telescope.

Photographer: Victor Lupu 
Optics: Celestron C8-inch reflector telescope-Newtonian, plossl 20mm, 2x Barlow
Mount: CG5 (EQ5)
Camera: Sony HDR CX105
Filter: No
Date: 20/07/2011 
Location: Baia Mare, Romania
Processing: Video captures

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Registax: Alexander Crater and Montes Caucasus Images through the telescope.

Figure 1-4: 139 frames, 90% Lowest quality
Figure 5: 2 frames, 100% Lowest quality

This photo shows Caucasus Mountains and nearby features. The first four are a single image, but with different processing on contrasts and sharp.

Crater I never about before, is Alexander (81 km), which actually has a shape similar to a crater, located north of Mare Serenitatis. It lies southwest of the crater Eudoxus, and north-east of Calippus.

Alexander was so badly damaged and distorted by other impacts over time, that now looks more like a region of plains, hilly land with bounded intervals. Rim segments are along the north-west, west, south, while the east is open. The walls that have survived, are almost rectangular in shape with the major mountain peaks to the northwest.
Crater floor has a darker albedo in the west, and gradually grows brighter to the east.

Photographer: Victor Lupu
Optics: Celestron C8-inch reflector telescope-Newtonian, plossl 20mm, 2x Barlow
Mount: CG5 (EQ5)
Camera: Sony HDR CX105 to 8x optical zoom
Total Magnification: 800x
Filter: No
Date: 20/07/2011
Location: Baia Mare, Romania
Processing: Registax

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