A large crater on the Moon. Ptolemaeus.

Ptolemaeus crater (153 km) characteristics are shown when the Sun is at low angles. When full Moon crater contours become more difficult to discern.
The crater rim has a small height, with an irregular polygonal shape, although it is generally circular. The largest of the peaks is located along the edge, called Ptolemaeus Gamma (γ), which has an altitude of 2.9 km and is located in the northwest along the edge. Ptolemaeus has no central peak.
Ptolemaeus crater or Ptolemy, is a crater that has this name both on Mars and the Moon. As Ptolemaeus, Herschel (41 km) is a name that is put on a crater on Mars, and on the satellite Mimas of Saturn.

161 video frames, in Registax.

68 video frames, in Registax.

161 video frames, in Registax.

Coordinates	9.2°S 1.8°W
Diameter	153 km
Depth	2.4 km
Colongitude	3° at sunrise
Eponym	Claudius Ptolemaeus

Moon Age: 9.05 days
Phase: 70.5% (0% = New, 100% = Full)
Distance: 399.221 km

Optics (telescope or lenses): Celestron C8-Newtonian telescope, eyepiece 20mm Plossl, 2x barlow
Mount: CG5 (EQ5)
Camera: Sony CX130
Filter: no
Date: 10/03/2014
Location: Baia Mare, Romania
Processing: Registax,  FastStone Image Viewer

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Backyard Astrophotography. Craters through a telescope: Ptolemaeus and Herschel.

This area has been described in other articles, in which you notice a large crater, with a clean floor, called Ptolemaeus (Ptolemy). It is the head of a column of 3 craters decreasing in size, Ptolemaeus (153 km) is the largest, followed by Alphonsus (108 km) and Arzachel (97 km).

On Ptolemaeus's north, is a small crater called Herschel (41 km). The image is reversed and therefore appears at the south).

If you did not know, in the solar system there are several craters named Herschel: one is on the Moon, seen here, one on Mars and one on a Saturn moon called Mimas.

Crater name is given in memory of Frederick William Herschel, (Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel), (15 November 1738 - 25 August 1822) who was a German astronomer and composer.

Herschel is an important figure in the world of astronomy's important discoveries, as is the planet Uranus with two of his satellites, Titania and Oberon, two moons of Saturn, and the discovery there infrared radiation.

Image for your orientation from 29 april 2012.

Coordinates 9.2°S 1.8°W Diameter 153 km Depth 2.4 km Colongitude 3° at sunrise Eponym Claudius Ptolemaeus

Moon Age: 9.05 days
Phase: 70.5% (0% = New, 100% = Full)
Distance: 399.221 km

Optics: Celestron C8-Newtonian telescope, 20mm Plossl, 2x barlow
Mount: CG5 (EQ5)
Camera: Sony CX130
Filter: no
Date: 10/03/2014
Location: Baia Mare, Romania
Processing: FastStone Image Viewer

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The depth of center lunar craters Images by telescope Ptolemaeus Alphonsus and Albategnius

This is one of the clearest video capture image caught with this area of ​​the Moon. Craters are so easy to observ in depth under this angle of the Sun, because they are facing us, and are not on the edge of the Moon.

We can admire the large and smooth floor of Ptolemaeus, which has a distinct small crater on it.

In these area of craters, it is almost like they may not exceed the limit of heights because you can not highlight any high peaks, which could be noticeably bigger than others.

Craters depth are small compared to other craters on the Moon. Ptolemaeus has a depth of 2.4 km, Alphonsus 2.7 km and Albategnius of 4.4 km. Klein found on the floor of Albategnius, has a depth of 1.5 km, which when combined with the 4.4 km's Albategnius, is reaching a depth of 5.9 km.

It is interesting the arc craters that starts from Hipparchus, decreasing in size, starting with Halley, Hind, Hipparcus C, and the smaller, Hipparchus L.

Moon age: 7 days
Stage: 51% (0% = New, 100% = Full)
Distance: 384.488 km

Coordinates 9.2°S 1.8°W Diameter 153 km Depth 2.4 km Colongitude 3° at sunrise Eponym Claudius Ptolemaeus

Optics: Celestron C8-Newtonian telescope, 20mm Plössl, 2x barlow
Mount: CG5 (EQ5)
Camera: Sony CX130
Filter: no
Date: 29/04/2012
Location: Baia Mare, Romania
Processing: video capture, FastStone Image Viewer

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Alphonsus crater on the moon through astronomical telescope.

Alphonsus crater (108 km), although it has a "disordered" edge, keeps its shape round. Through a telescope, he and the surrounding craters can be seen in all their splendor, because are located facing Earth, and therefore all their floor is exposed to the observer.

Alphonsus is one of the three craters forming a trio on the lunar surface: Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus and Arzachel, trio arranged from north to south, with a decreasing their size, in the order that I've mentioned above.

 So Alphonsus is located in the middle, and is unlike any of the other two craters. Note that each of craters that form the trio, is different from the other: Ptolemaeus is wide (153 km), with a smooth floor, lacking of a central peak, Alphonsus has a more random appearance compared with Ptolemaeus, and shows a peak in the center, and Arzachel (97 km) is a crater similar to Copernicus in appearance, being deep, with a central peak and terraced beautiful interior walls.

Moon age: 7 days
Stage: 51% (0% = New, 100% = Full)
Distance: 384.488 km

Optics: Celestron C8-Newtonian telescope, 20mm Plössl, 2x barlow
Mount: CG5 (EQ5)
Camera: Sony CX130
Filter: no
Date: 29/04/2012
Location: Baia Mare, Romania
Processing: video capture, FastStone Image Viewer

Above, is an older photo with labels on the craters.

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Similarity of Arzachel crater and Copernicus

Notice a small crater, located on the floor of Arzachel, on the right of the central mountain. This is called Arzachel A. It has a diameter of 10 km.

Note terraces on the interior walls of the crater, very well shaped, in waves.

Arzachel crater (97 km) on the Moon, is a special one because it does not look like other craters in the area, which have large and lower margins like Albategnius, Ptolemaeus and even Alphonsus for exemple.

  Arzachel my opinion, is more like the crater Copernicus, which has a diameter of 93 km. Both have terraces, central peaks, and are similar in shape, but Copernicus, although smaller, is out much more in evidence, being very easy to locate with the telescope, because it is located on a large smooth area of Insularum basin, and for the very bright rays from the impact that formed the crater. But Arzachel has no rays, and it is not located on a large area, but between many bigger and smaller craters, on the highlands of the Moon.

Above, is a photo of the crater Copernicus from April 13, 2011. Note the similarity with Arzachel crater.

Moon age: 7 days
Stage: 51% (0% = New, 100% = Full)
Distance: 384.488 km

Optics: Celestron C8-Newtonian telescope, 20mm Plössl, 2x barlow
Mount: CG5 (EQ5)
Camera: Sony CX130
Filter: no
Date: 29/04/2012
Location: Baia Mare, Romania
Processing: video capture, FastStone Image Viewer

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Video Alphonsus crater on the Moon through telescope

Prominent and easily visible craters, older Ptolemaeus and younger Alphonsus, are visible through binoculars.

In this video, Alphonsus's east wall shadow, nearly covers a quarter of it's floor. From this, we can figure out the shapes of the peaks and their height.

Central peak of Alphonsus is lit by the sun, shining strong. Alpetragius crater is in total darkness.

Video is upside down as seen through the telescope.



Optics: CelestronC8 "-Newtonian telescope, plossl20mm, 2x Barlow
Mount: CG5 (EQ5)
Device: Sony CX-130
Video mode: Full HD progressive 1920x1080
Filter: no
Date: 30/03/2012
Location: Baia Mare, Romania
Processing and editing: Sony Vegas 10

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Registax-Craters of the Moon on the edge between light and darkness.

Date: February 15, 2011, Registax 67 frames to 90% Lowest quality.
In these pictures that I have not posted here before, although the video was shot in 2011 (last year), only now I processed the video in Registax.

Craters Alphonsus and Arzachel in the pictures above, are flooded by darkness. Only the central peaks are lit. Ptolemaeus's floor is in semi-darkness. All craters found on line if the three craters, are at the edge of darkness and sunlight.

Coordinates	9.2°S 1.8°W
Diameter	153 km
Depth	2.4 km
Colongitude	3° at sunrise
Eponym	Claudius Ptolemaeus

Photographer: Victor Lupu
Optics: Celestron C8 inch-Newtonian reflector telescope, plossl 20mm, 2x Barlow
Mount: CG5 (EQ5)
Camera: Sony HDR CX105
Filter: No
Date: 15/02/2011
Location: Baia Mare, Romania
Processing: Registax

The video from wich I processed the images can be found here: Video - Ptolemaeus Alphonsus and Alpetragius craters .

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Ages of Ptolemaeus Alphonsus and Arzachel craters

Photographer: Victor Lupu
Optics: Celestron C8-Newtonian telescope, plossl 20mm, 2x Barlow
Mount: CG5 (EQ5)
Device: Sony CX105 at 8x optical zoom
Total Magnification: 800x
Eyepiece Adapter: 1.25 "
Filter: No
Date: 12/05/2011
Location: Baia Mare, Romania
Processing: video capture, FastStone Image Viewer

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          Alpetragius and Arzachel are on the center of the Moon. In captures above, these two craters are the ones that are in the foreground.
The photo below is an image of the area where this craters are located.

          Arzachel is one of the three craters that form a chain of craters: Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus, Arzachel. On Earth, a technique used to realize the age of geological formations is by seeing the effects of erosion of structures.Even if the force of erosion on Earth and the Moon are different, this technique can be used to know the age of geological formations on the Moon too.
One of the best places to see different craters on the Moon to see craters located next to each other, is Ptolemaeus Alphonsus and Arzachel.

         Looking at the photo below, the differences between the three craters are very obvious. Ptolemaeus has a large flat floor with no central peak , and the edge is almost nonexistent in some places. Alphonsus, has also a flat floor, but shows a central peak and crater walls are more robust. Then there is Arzachel , a good example of a complex crater, with terraced walls, and a distinct central peak.

          It is evident so far in terms of age of craters, that Ptolemaeus is the oldest, Alphonsus is the middle brother and the youngest is Arzachel.
Why Ptolemaeus do not have a central  peak? After the impact, crater Ptolemaeus formed, magma beneath the crust of the Moon rose through the cracks. Magma, joined and then hardened in the crater forming a flat floor. It was gathered enough lava to completely flood the crater's central peak, but not enough to cover the walls of the crater.

          Alphonus crater floor is also flooded with lava, but it was not enough to flood and central peak.
Beautiful terrace walls inside Arzachel crater have remained almost untouched, because of its young age.

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Alpetragius lunar crater images

Photographer: Victor Lupu
Optics: Celestron C8-Newtonian telescope, plossl 20mm, 2x Barlow
Mount: CG5 (EQ5)
Device: Sony CX105 to 10x, 8x and 5x optical zoom
Total magnitude: 1000x, 800x and 500x (last photo)
Focal diameter: 1 "25
Filter: No
Date: 11/05/2011
Location: Baia Mare, Romania
Processing: Sony Vegas 10 video captures

These materials are craters from the center of the Moon seen from Earth. Ptolemaeus crater (153 km) unlike the others has no central peak, but is an extensive plateau of lava. Arzachel (97 km) has the highest peak in comparison with Alphonsus (108 km). These craters are located at the eastern edge of the Mare Nubium.

 About Alpetragius crater (40 km), I have not talked about at all.It lies near the crater Alphonsus and is notable in this huge central peak compared to the size of the crater. The peak is rounded and occupies almost the entire crater floor (a third of the crater floor), and rises
at a height of 2.0 km. There is evidence that this peak was extended through volcanic eruptions, and seems to provide an eroded vent. Alpetragius's depth is 3.9 km.

Crater name comes from Nur ad-Din al-Bitruji (also written Nur al-Din Ibn Ishaq Al-Betrugi and Abu Ishâk ibn al-Bitrogi , who was an astronomer of Andalusia.

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Video - Ptolemaeus Alphonsus and Alpetragius craters

Coordinates 9.2°S 1.8°W Diameter 153 km Depth 2.4 km Colongitude 3° at sunrise Eponym Claudius Ptolemaeus

Video by: Victor Lupu
Optics: Celestron C8-Newtonian reflector telescope, plossl 20mm, 2x Barlow
Mount: CG5 (EQ5)
Device: Sony HDR CX105
Date: 15/02/2011
Location: Baia Mare, Romania
Processing: video capture

Two short videos of the craters Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus and Alpetragius.

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Ptolemaeus Alphonsus and Alpetragius craters

Photographer: Victor Lupu
Optics: Celestron C8-Newtonian reflector telescope, plossl 20mm, 2x Barlow
Mount: CG5 (EQ5)
Device: Sony HDR CX105
Filter: No
Date: 10/02/2011
Location: Baia Mare, Romania
Processing: video capture

         Ptolemaeus (153 km.). Ptolemaeus crater features are highlighted when the sun is at low angles during the first quarter and last. When is Full Moon, crater contour become more difficult to discern.
The crater has a rim with low height, with an irregular polygon, although it generally is circular. The largest of the peaks along the edge, called Ptolemaeus Gamma (γ), has an altitude of 2.9 km and is located in north-west along the border. Ptolemaeus has no central peak.There are several small craters on its floor, the most noted being Ammonius on north-east

 Crater name comes from Claudius Ptolemaeus (Ptolemy), (90-168 AD).
Ptolemaeus was a Roman citizen from Egypt who wrote in greek.He was a mathematician, astronomer, geographer, astrologer, and a poet and lived in Egypt under Roman rule.It is believed to have been born in the town of Ptolemais in Thebaid Hermiou. He died in Alexandria around 168 e.n.

        Alphonsus (108 km) is an ancient impact crater on the Moon that dates from the immediate post-Nectarian era. It is located on the mountainous eastern end of Mare Nubium, and overlaps slightly with Ptolemaeus crater to the north. The exterior walls are slightly distorted and have a shape somewhat hexagonal. To the northwest is Alpetragius (40 km), smaller.

Central, shows a sharp peak called Alphonsus Alpha (α). This pyramid-shaped ridge rises to a height of 1.5 km above the inner surface. It is not of volcanic origin, but rather is made ​​of anorthosites. 

         Alpetragius (40 km). The most notable feature of this crater is that it shows a large central peak, forming a rounded growth occupying almost the entire floor of the crater diameter that rises to a height of 2.0 km. There is evidence that this peak was enhanced by volcanic eruptions.

Other craters in this photo are: Albategnius, Arzachel, Thebit, Purbach, Regiomontanus, La Caille, Blanchinus, Aliacensis, Apianus Werner, Airy, Klein, Doati and Davy.

          Airy (37 km),it is named in honor of the british astronomer George Biddell Airy. the crater is the southern most member of a crater chain consisting of Vogel (27 km), Argelander (34 km) and Airy. A little further south is Donati (36 km).
Airy has an edge worn and somewhat polygonal, broken the heads of north and south. It has an irregular floor and a central peak.
 The name of the crater is ​​and the honor of Sir George Biddell Airy (27.07.1801-02.01.1892), who was an English astronomer and mathematician.

        Vogel (27 km). There is both a lunar crater, and a martian crater with the same name. On the Moon, is a small lunar crater located south-east of Albategnius.
Both north and south ends of Vogel's are interrupted by smaller craters. Vogel B is superimposed along the northern edge of smaller craters, forming an interconnected group of craters Vogel being the biggest.
The name comes from the Hermann Carl Vogel (03.04.1841-13.08.1907) who was a German astronomer from Leipzig, Saxon kingdom.

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