Schickard crater – 2007.08.25. – Bognár Tamás

Schickard crater – 2007.08.25. – Bognár Tamás

Subject: Schickard crater
Classification: Lunar Craters
Date/time: 2007.08.25.
Equipment: 76/900 Newtonian
Magnification and filter(s): 118x
Seeing: 7/10 Transparency: 3/5
Humidity: low
Wind: none
Observing Loc. : Zákány, Hungary N46°14′ 59,2″ E16°57′ 15,3″
Observer: Bognár Tamás

One of the largest wall-surrounded plains on the visible surface of the moon, extending about 134 miles from N. to S., and about the same from W. to E., enclosing a nearly level area, abounding in detail. Its border, to a great extent linear, is very irregular, and much broken by the interposition of small ring-plains and craters, and on the N. by cross-valleys. Its general height is about 4,000 feet, the loftiest peak on the E. wall rising to more than 9,000 feet above the floor. The inner slopes of this vast rampart are very complex, especially on the W., where many terraces and depressions may be seen under suitable illumination. There are three large ring-plains in the interior, all of them S. of the centre; and at least five smaller ones near the inner foot of the W. wall, which can only be well observed when libration is favourable. The two more westerly of the large ring-plains are connected by a cleft, and there are several short clefts and crater-rows associated with the smaller ring-plains. On the N. side of the area is a number of minute craters. The floor is diversified by two large dark markings–an oblong patch on the S.E. side, abutting on the wall, being the more remarkable; and a dusky area, occupying a great portion of the N. part of the floor, and extending up to the N. border. This is traversed by a light streak running from N. to S., which is the site of a row of minute craters.