The full moon is often perceived as a phenomenon that lasts throughout the night, but this is a misconception because the moon as seen from Earth gets bigger or smaller all the time (albeit too slowly to be noticed by the naked eye). The size of the Moon reaches its absolute maximum at the moment when the increase stops.
Since a full moon occurs every 29.5 days, February is the only month of the year that may not have a full moon. In each of the remaining months it is guaranteed to occur at least once.
When a full moon coincides with the Moon's closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit, a rare phenomenon known as a supermoon occurs. The most recent supermoon occurred on the night of September 27-28 last year, and the next time it will not be visible until 2033.
The full moon is often associated with temporary insomnia. In the past, the reason for this opinion was obvious: people could not sleep well under the full moon due to the bright light it reflected. However, today, given the bright artificial light that surrounds us in everyday life, this is unlikely to be the cause of the insomnia that many people continue to suffer during this lunar phase.
It is sometimes claimed that in the past, surgeons refused to operate during the full moon because the risk of death increased due to loss of blood from the patient. Research conducted in Barcelona found a statistically significant relationship between lunar phase and hospitalization of people with gastrointestinal bleeding.
A full moon is considered unlucky if it falls on a Sunday, and lucky if it occurs on a Monday. In fact, the word "Monday" in English - "Monday" - comes from the Old English word "Monand?g" or the Middle English word "Monenday", which means "lunar day".
The full moon is believed to cause mental illness and lycanthropy (a form of insanity in which the sufferer imagines himself to be a wolf). One of the most popular beliefs was that a person could turn into a werewolf if he slept outside on one of the summer nights, Wednesday or Friday, with the full moon shining right in his face.
The Royal Air Force used the light reflected from the full moon to launch an attack on the German city of Lubeck on the night of Saturday, March 28, during World War II.
Dogs are known to bark and howl more during the full moon than at other times, but they can also be more aggressive. A study carried out by Bradford Royal Infirmary found that dogs bite twice as often during the full moon than on other days.
The Full Moon is the brightest object in the night sky. Its apparent magnitude (a measure of the brightness of a space object from the point of view of an observer on Earth) is -12.74 (for the Sun - -26.74).
It has been assumed that the full moon affects humans in the same way it affects the oceans through tidal force, since the human body is almost 75% water, but in reality the tidal effect on such a small scale is quite negligible.
When two full moons fall in the same calendar month, the second full moon is called a Blue Moon. This phenomenon occurs on average once every 3 years.
According to one of the most common superstitions, more children are born on a full moon than at other times. This claim is not supported by any scientific research. However .
When the full Moon coincides with a total lunar eclipse, it appears red. During this time, the only light we see is the light that is refracted by the Earth's shadow. It appears red for the same reason that sunsets are red - due to Rayleigh scattering of the more blue light present.
It was believed that the full moon drives people crazy. The word "sleepwalker" was used to describe a person who was considered mentally ill, dangerous, stupid or unpredictable - conditions attributed only to insanity. This word comes from the Latin word "lunaticus", one of the meanings of which is "possessed, possessed."
Some wild animals behave differently during the full moon. For example, lions usually hunt at night, but the day after the full moon they go hunting during the day, as scientists suggest, to compensate for the hunger that reaches its maximum during the full moon.
The Full Moon is often associated with an increase in strange and unexplained things, but this belief may be misleading. People have this feeling because during the full moon they pay more attention to unusual events. In fact, such things happen throughout the rest of the month, but people usually do not associate them with any celestial events.
Various celebrations dedicated to the full moon are held in different parts of the world. One of the most popular is the Full Moon Party on Ko Pha Ngan Island, Thailand, attracting tens of thousands of tourists every full moon night. In Japan, this is tsukimi - admiring the full moon in September.
During the full moon, people notice pareidolic images: human faces, heads, silhouettes. These images actually consist of dark areas of lunar maria (basalt plains) and lighter highlands on the lunar surface.
The Lunar Society of Birmingham, a club and informal learned society of eminent men of the English midlands, which met regularly between 1765 and 1813 in Birmingham, took its name from the fact that its members met exclusively during the full moon, since In the absence of street lighting, their return home under the additional light of the moon was easier and safer.
The honeymoon is named after the full moon in June. Because it falls between planting and harvesting, it has traditionally been considered the best month for weddings.
In Sri Lanka, the full moon is sacred. According to legend, the birth of Buddha, his Enlightenment and transition to nirvana took place on the days of the full moon. On the night of the full moon, all shops are closed, the consumption and sale of alcohol, sporting events and killings of any kind (including fishing) are prohibited.
Pagans believe that the most mystical time at Stonehenge is when the full Moon wanes, allowing the Earth to reunite with its lover, the Sun, at dawn.
While there is no evidence that the full moon directly affects our mental health, 80% of nurses and 63% of doctors said they are more likely to see patients with mental health problems during the full moon than at any other time. This study was conducted by Universite Laval, Quebec, Canada.
There is a common misconception that the first Apollo landing took place during a full moon. In fact, it happened more than a week later.
→ Moon observationThe Moon is a natural satellite of the Earth with an orbital period of 29.53 average solar days. It is important to note here that the period of revolution of the Moon coincides with the lunar day (the period of revolution of the Moon around its axis), and therefore the Moon is always turned to the Earth with the same side (the other is always hidden from us).
Before you start observing the Moon through a telescope, you should first study the structure of the lunar surface, including large and small details (this can be dark and light formations, continents, oceans, seas, large craters, mountain ranges, cracks, peaks, terraces and ledges , traces of lava eruptions and accumulations of stones). See map.
When directly observing through a telescope, one should take into account the fact that the Moon is a very bright celestial object (second only to the Sun), so it is necessary to use a special neutral density lunar filter that would attenuate the light and allow even small surface details to be seen.
When observing the Moon through a telescope, you need to remember that the main obstacle here is not even city lights or smoke from factories in winter, but atmospheric turbulence (that is, at the very horizon, the surface of the Moon is very distorted, and therefore really high-quality observations can only be obtained when when they are highest in the sky).
In case of different weather conditions, you should carry eyepieces with different focal lengths (for example, in turbulent atmospheres it is not recommended to use high magnification). Plus, you should take care of the place from which the observation is being carried out: there should be no lighting there (or it should be weak and red). 
The most favorable moment to begin observing the Moon is the third and subsequent days after the new moon (this is when relief details begin to be visible). For example, on the third day, the terminator (that is, the dark boundary of light and shadow) passes through the center of the Sea of Crises. Here, the mountains surrounding the sea, as well as some large craters (Langren, Petavius, Furnerius), will be quite interesting to observe. On the fifth day, when the terminator passes through the Taurus mountain region, large craters such as Atlas, Hercules and Jansen can be observed. In the first quarter of the lunar cycle, you can observe the Sea of Cold, the Sea of Rain, the adjacent Alps and Apennines, as well as large craters: Ptolemy, Alphonsus, Arzachel, Plato, Copernicus and Tycho (light rays that diverge from each of the craters will be interesting here. On the tenth day you can see the Rainbow Bay, the Jura Mountains, as well as the large southern continent, densely covered with craters. By the twelfth day, the visible part includes the craters Kepler, Aristarchus (which is the brightest object due to the rays diverging from it) and Schickard. During the full moon, the terminator disappears , and the entire visible part of the Moon is clearly visible (the craters Tycho, Copernicus, Kepler, Aristarchus, Langren and Proclus, as well as the rays of the craters Messier, Bessel and Ross).
Now let's talk about short-term phenomena that can be observed on the Moon. These are primarily gas emissions from craters and the resulting flares, as well as flares caused by falling meteorites. What can be observed during such phenomena? Firstly, this may be a change in the outlines and contours of objects, a change in image clarity and brightness, as well as the appearance of light or dark spots and dots. Separately, it is worth highlighting such rather strange phenomena as darkening (that is, a kind of spot that floats on the lunar surface), as well as various auroras: bluish (Aristarchus crater), reddish (Aristarchus and Gassendi craters).
What are the possible causes of these phenomena? There are quite a lot of them: tides (can lead to the formation of cracks), albedo changes, thermal shocks, magnetism, ultraviolet radiation, solar wind, tremors deep in the bowels of the Moon, etc.
Most often, such phenomena can be observed in the area of the Aristarchus crater (where they have been recorded more than 100 times), the Plato crater, in the Schröter valley, and also in the Sea of Crises. The activity of such phenomena also depends on the position of the Moon relative to the Earth. For example, the maximum number of optical phenomena is observed during the Moon's passage through perigee (approximately three days) and apogee. 
Why is the Moon visible during the day? Two years ago, UK sociologists, conducting a national survey, found that this particular question turned out to be the most difficult among the dozen questions most often asked by children to their parents. Many adults were at a loss for an answer that would suit the little ones.
In our view, the Earth’s satellite is a “night star” that illuminates the sky precisely at night. Why can it sometimes be seen in bright sunshine? It is not easy to explain this phenomenon even to an adult, so we will try to make our answer as understandable as possible to representatives of any age category. The behavior of the Moon is another fascinating phenomenon of the Universe.
What is tellurium needed for?
In order for a child to visually imagine the relative positions of space objects, it is best to use a special device - tellurium.
Tellurium is a device that clearly demonstrates not only the annual motion of our planet around the Sun, but also rotation around its own axis. In more advanced models of the device, there is also a third planet - the Moon, which moves not only around its axis, but also around the Earth.
In general, the movement of the planets included in the “Sun – Earth – Moon” system comes down to the following scheme: The Earth and the Moon, being satellites, move along the same trajectory passing around the Sun, located in the center of this system. The lunar disk, in turn, moving together with the Earth around the Sun, also rotates around its companion, the Earth.
What can replace tellurium?
It is unlikely that tellurium is present in the household of every family, so an imitation of the system of planets of interest to us can be made from improvised objects. The role of the Sun can be played by a large flashlight; for the Earth, a large rubber ball is suitable; for its satellite, a ball whose diameter is five times smaller.
Rotation of cosmic bodies in the Sun - Earth - Moon system:
First, let the baby rotate the ball - “Moon” around the ball - “Earth”. This will help him understand that the lunar disk invariably faces its companion with only one side.
Now start rotating the ball simulating the Earth around the flashlight representing the Sun, not forgetting to rotate the “Earth” around its own axis.
Explain to your child that a complete revolution of the Earth around the Sun is a very slow process, taking 365 days or a year. The night star, rotating around the Earth, does this much faster: one revolution around our planet takes it a little more than 27 days.
Why does the “queen of the night” come out during the day?
Most people are convinced that the moon can only be observed in the night sky (you can read about why you can’t look at the Moon). This is a completely erroneous opinion, since the queen of the night can be noticeable during the day, only this happens on certain days of the cycle. This does not apply to rare astronomical phenomena. Why is the Moon visible during the day?
And why do we rarely notice it?
In the daytime, in a brightly sunny sky, the month is less noticeable, because it cannot compare with the brightness of the daylight, since it only reflects sunlight and does not emit its own light. At this time of day, usually not the full disk is noticeable, but only a small part of it, resembling a narrow crescent.
Most often, the “dark” star becomes noticeable before sunrise or sunset, and this is the time when we simply do not look at the sky.
In the tropics and subtropics, at the very beginning of its cycle, the Moon appears in the morning sky just above the horizon, not far from the rising Sun. With the onset of noon, the disk appears at its zenith and continues to be visible throughout the day, until sunset.
What are "lunar phases"?
The moon is a very unusual luminary that is constantly changing. Sometimes it disappears from the sky, and after that it appears in the form of a thin crescent called a month. At some moments, it hangs in the sky all night and looks like a bright yellow bun. Why is this happening?
Such changes are explained by different degrees of illumination of the earth's satellite by the rays of the Sun, and different states of the disk are explained by phases. Some people mistakenly believe that the shadow cast by the Earth is the cause of the changes. In fact, this is a phenomenon of a completely different order, called a lunar eclipse (you can get an explanation of why the Moon is red).
Sometimes children ask why the Moon became like a sickle? It's all about its spherical surface. When the sphere is illuminated from the side, the crescent shape is simply inevitable. If the daylight is hidden behind the skyline, the part of the lunar sphere illuminated by its rays will always indicate exactly where it is located.
What phases of disk illumination exist?
The period during which the light temporarily disappears from the sky is called the new moon. This is explained by the fact that, being at a point that visually coincides with the location of the Sun, it is turned towards the daylight with its brightly lit side.
The appearance of a silvery narrow crescent in the night sky marks the onset of the next phase - the new month. This happens about a day after the new moon.
A week later, when the earth's satellite moves away from the Sun so much that it is at an equal distance from both the Earth and the Sun, the next phase begins - the first quarter. At this moment, one of its halves is brightly illuminated.
The full moon looks very beautiful - the state when the disk is completely illuminated. After this, a gradual decrease begins.
The next phase of the cycle, occurring in its third quarter, is called the waning moon.
The gradual decrease in the illuminated surface of the disk marks the onset of the final quarter of the lunar cycle. At this stage, only half is illuminated again.
The phase of the old Moon again shows us a narrow crescent.
What causes the “sickle-disc” change?
This phenomenon occurs due to the movement of the earth's satellite in orbit and the constant change in the relative positions of the planets.
As a result, there is a constant movement of the terminator (the boundary separating the dark and illuminated parts of the night disk), leading to a change in the configuration of the illuminated part of the Earth's satellite. That is why every night an attentive astronomer will notice changes on the surface of the Moon.
How to distinguish an old star from a growing one?
For residents of the northern hemisphere of the Earth, there is a very simple rule that allows you to instantly determine the difference.
If the crescent that is formed resembles the letter “c,” we have in front of us an aging Moon. If the sickle is turned in the opposite direction and, being equipped with an imaginary dash, resembles the letter “r”, it is young, that is, “growing”.
The young Moon can be observed in the evening hours, and the old Moon in the morning.
This method is completely unsuitable for the inhabitants of lands located near the equator, since the lunar crescent in those parts invariably lies on its side.
Interesting Facts:
As a rule, there is one full moon every month, but due to the fact that the phase changes occur a little more than the number of months in a year, sometimes there is an additional full moon. This unique and very rare phenomenon, occurring every 2.7 years, is called a “blue moon.”
The name does not indicate a change in the color of the night star. It is a translation of an English idiomatic expression, which is akin to the Russian “after the rain on Thursday” and indicates the rarity and low probability of this phenomenon. The next blue moon (extra full moon) will be visible on July 31, 2015.
Five years ago, analysts from one of the leading banks in Australia published the results of their own research, according to which the dynamics of global financial market indices depends on the change in the phases of the moon.
British police intelligence officers said the level of violence is also directly related to the phases.
> How to watch the Moon
Moon watching: is it possible to see meteors, eclipses, aurora and comets, when is the best time to observe, cycles and phases of the Moon, map of the lunar surface, telescope, filters.
The Moon seems to be the most accessible object to observe in the sky. Sometimes it appears in the form of a thin crescent, sometimes it disappears completely, and on some days it shines as a huge sphere, eclipsing the stars. These are not the whims of the luminary, but the phases of the Moon and the distance of the satellite to the Earth, which changes as it passes along an elliptical orbit around the planet. We are accustomed to this night neighbor, so we pay attention only during periods of lunar eclipse. But the Moon hides many interesting objects. Below you will find out when is the best time to look at the Moon, whether you can see meteors and what interesting things are located on the surface. At the very end, admire amazing photos of the Moon with craters and seas. Don’t forget also that on the site you can use telescopes and observe the Moon online in real time.
The Moon is the only natural satellite of the Earth, which is also the brightest object in the night sky. The gravity there is 6 times lower than on Earth, and the difference between night and day temperatures exceeds 300˚C. A complete revolution of the Moon around its axis takes 27.3 Earth days. In this case, the rotation trajectory and its angular speed are stable and equal to the speed of its rotation around the Earth. That is why the observer constantly sees only one hemisphere of the satellite. The other side (the far side of the Moon) is always hidden from us.
When is the best time to watch the Moon?
Despite the fact that this fact, at first glance, seems complete nonsense, its veracity has been proven by the experience of thousands of observers. The full moon (moon phase) is a bad time to explore the moon. At this time, the contrast of details on the surface is reduced to zero, so it is almost impossible to see them. There are two periods in the lunar month that are conducive to research. This is the time after the new moon, which ends two nights after the first quarter. Here the Moon is perfectly visualized in the evening.
Lunar "evolution"
The second period begins a couple of days before the last quarter and ends on the new moon. At this time, the lunar shadows are so long that they are perfectly visualized on mountainous terrain. In addition, the atmosphere in the morning is much calmer than in the evening, resulting in clear and stable images with plenty of fine detail.
In any case, it is important to take into account the height of the Moon above the horizon. The lower the Moon is, the denser the air that overcomes the moonlight. This results in a large number of distortions and lower picture quality. The satellite's height above the horizon varies from season to season.
Before moon observations Determine the time of optimal visibility using any planetarium program.
The trajectory of the Moon around the Earth has the shape of an ellipse. The average distance between the centers of the Moon and the Earth is 384,402 km, but the actual distance constantly varies from 356,410 to 406,720 km. In this regard, the apparent size of the Moon also changes - from 29" 22"" at apogee to 33" 30"" at perigee.
Of course, the observer should not wait for the moment when the Moon is closest to the Earth. Just remember that at perigee you can study subtle features on the moon's surface that are hidden during normal times.
When starting a study, you need to point the telescope at any point near the terminator - the line dividing the Moon into light and dark halves. During the waning Moon, the terminator shows the place of sunset; during the waxing Moon, the terminator shows the place of sunrise.
Photograph of the Moon through an amateur telescope. Image obtained through a 125 mm refractor
Moon observation at the terminator will allow the researcher to study the structure of mountain peaks illuminated by sunlight. At the same time, the lower part of the mountains hides in the shadows. The landscape near the terminator line is changing in real time. Therefore, many hours of observation of any attraction will be rewarded with a magnificent spectacle.
It is important! When exploring the Moon between the last or first quarter phases and the full Moon, turn on a moderately bright white light behind you. Of course, the light source should not be located in the direct line of sight, hit the eyes or glare on the eyepiece. This will allow you to maintain better daytime vision and see many details on the satellite's surface.
Necessary equipment
To observe the Moon and get high-quality photos, you need to know how to choose or buy the right telescope. The moon is an object with a very bright glow. During observations through a telescope, it can easily blind the researcher. There are several ways to make observations more comfortable by reducing the brightness of the Moon. For example, you can use a variable density polarizing or neutral gray filter. It is more reasonable to use the first one, since with it you can change the level of light transmission (1% - 40%). This is convenient because the level of lunar glow directly depends on its phase and the magnification used. And when using an ND filter, the image of the Moon will constantly change from too dark to too bright.
A variable brightness filter will smooth out these differences, allowing you to set the brightness parameter you want.
It is not customary to use color filters during lunar exploration. The only exception is the red filter, which can be used to increase the contrast of areas with a high basalt content. In addition, it stabilizes images in unstable atmospheres and minimizes lunar glare.
If you decide to study the Moon, purchase a lunar atlas or map. In addition, use the Virtual Atlas of the Moon application, which will provide you with all the information in preparation for your exploration.
For experienced astronomers, we offer you a more detailed moon map, where all surface formations are displayed:
(Image size: 2725 x 2669, Weight: 1.86 mb).
Details on the Moon depending on equipment
Since the Moon is located close to the Earth, astronomy lovers love to observe it both with the naked eye and with the help of special equipment. Thus, even with the naked eye you can see the characteristic ashy hue of the Moon, which is especially obvious in the mornings on a waning Moon and in the evening twilight on a waxing Moon. In addition, the general features of the satellite can be easily observed.
Image of the Moon obtained through a 114 mm telescope + 2x Barlow lens
Using a small telescope or binoculars, you can take a closer look at lunar craters, seas, and mountain ranges. Believe me, you will find a lot of interesting things here!
As the aperture increases, the purely visible objects also increase. Through a telescope with an aperture of 200 - 300 mm, you will be able to study fine details on the surface of large craters, explore the structure of mountain ranges, and see numerous folds, grooves, and chains of small craters.
It is extremely difficult to calculate the capabilities of each specific telescope, since the state of the atmosphere plays a decisive role here. Most often, at night, the maximum limit of a large telescope is 1”. Periodically, the atmosphere calms down for a couple of seconds. And at this time, the observer must use his technique to the limit of its capabilities. For example, on a clear and calm night, using a 200 mm telescope, you can see craters with a diameter of up to 1800 meters, and using a 300 mm instrument - 1200 meters.
How to Observe the Moon
Typically, observations of the Moon are carried out along the terminator, since this line has increased contrast of lunar details. And the play of shadows makes the landscapes of the lunar surface truly magical. At the same time, you should not be afraid of experiments. Play with magnification and choose what will be optimal for your specific viewing conditions. Most often, you will need a set of 3 eyepieces.
A low magnification eyepiece, often called a search eyepiece. Used for comfortable exploration of the full lunar disk and general acquaintance with the sights on the surface of the satellite. In addition, you can use it to observe lunar eclipses and organize lunar excursions for friends.
An eyepiece with medium magnification (from 80x to 150x) is the most popular. Extremely useful in unstable atmospheres.
A powerful eyepiece (2D-3D) is used for professional study of the Moon with the maximum capabilities of optical technology. Can only be used in an excellent atmosphere and absolute thermal stabilization of the telescope.
Lunar through a 300 mm telescope and 2 Barlow lenses
You can increase the efficiency of your observations using Charles Wood's list of the 100 best lunar objects. In addition, read the articles in the “Unknown Moon” series, which are devoted to an overview of the attractions on the surface of the satellite.
Surely, you will be carried away by the search for tiny craters that can only be seen at the limit of the telescope's capabilities.
Be sure to keep a diary of observations. In special columns, enter data about the time and phase of the Moon, observation conditions, the state of the atmosphere, and the magnification used. You can also make sketches here
What to see on the Moon
Craters are objects that dot the entire lunar surface. The term comes from the Greek word meaning "cup". Most often, lunar craters are formed from impacts of cosmic bodies on the surface of the satellite.
Lunar maria are dark areas that contrast with the rest of the Moon's surface. They are essentially lowlands, occupying up to 40% of the surface area visible from Earth. During a full moon, dark spots give the moon a “face.”
Furrows are valleys on the surface of the Moon. They reach many hundreds of kilometers in length, 3500 meters in width, and up to 1000 meters in depth.
Folded veins - outwardly look like ropes. They are formed as a result of compression and deformation from the subsidence of the seas.
Mountain ranges are mountains on the surface of the Moon. Their height varies from 100 to 20,000 meters.
The domes are the real secret of the Moon. There is still no reliable data about their nature. Today there is evidence of a couple of dozen domes, which are small (up to 15 km in diameter) smooth and round elevations.
10 most interesting lunar objects
T (moon age in days) - 9, 23, 24, 25
Located in the northwestern region of the Moon. You can even observe it with binoculars with 10x magnification. Using a medium magnification telescope, it is visualized as an amazing object with a diameter of 260 km and blurred edges. There is a scattering of small craters on the flat bottom of the Gulf
T – 9, 21, 22
It is one of the most famous lunar objects that can be explored with a small telescope. The crater is surrounded by a system of rays that radiate 800 km from the crater. The depth of the crater is 3.75 km, diameter is 93 km. When the Sun rises or sets over the crater, the observer can enjoy magnificent scenes.
T - 8, 21, 22
It is a tectonic fault that can be easily visualized with a 60mm telescope. The length of the object is 120 km. It is located at the bottom of an ancient destroyed crater, traces of which you will see at the eastern edge of the Straight Wall.
T - 12, 26, 27, 28
A huge volcanic dome that can be observed with a 60mm telescope or powerful astronomical binoculars. The diameter of the hill is 70 km, and its highest point is located at an altitude of 1.1 km from the lunar surface.
T - 7, 21, 22
A mountain range whose length is 604 km. It can be seen with binoculars, but for more serious observations you will need a telescope. Some peaks are 5 km high. And in certain parts of the mountain range there are deep grooves.
T - 8, 21, 22
Visualized with binoculars, Plato's crater is one of the most popular objects among amateur astronomers. The diameter of the crater is 104 km. “Great Black Lake” is the poetic name given to the crater by Jan Hevelius, a Polish astronomer (1611-1687). Indeed, with the help of an amateur telescope or binoculars, the object is visualized as a large dark spot contrasting with the light surface of the Moon.
T - 4, 15, 16, 17
A pair of small craters, which can be observed with a telescope of 100 mm. Messier is an elongated object with a size of 11 by 9 km. Messier A is a little larger - 13 by 11 km. To the west there is a pair of light rays, the length of which exceeds 60 km.
T - 2, 15, 16, 17
The crater is visualized through small binoculars, but only a powerful telescope with serious magnification turns it into an amazing object. The bottom of the crater is dome-shaped, dotted with cracks and grooves.
T - 9, 21, 22
It is one of the most famous lunar objects, which became known for its huge system of rays around the crater. The system extends over 1500 km. You can even see the rays with amateur binoculars.
T - 10, 23, 24, 25
The crater is oval in shape and is 110 km long. Excellent visualization in 10x binoculars. Using a telescope, you can see a huge number of crevasses, hills and mountains at the bottom of the crater. You will also definitely see that the walls of the crater are partially destroyed. At the northern edge is the Gassendi crater, which makes the object look like a diamond ring.
From the author
So what should you do if your skies are currently gloomy or you don't have any astronomy equipment? Our portal has taken care of this too. Presents to your attention an interactive tool that allows you to observe the Moon in real time.
Photos of the Moon taken by amateur astronomers:
