I've waited a while to sketch this crater

Hi everyone, 

Driving home from Portrane beach yesterday my four-year old daughter drew my attention to the Moon. As it was only 3:30pm the question that followed caught me off-guard: 'How come we can see the Moon in the daytime Daddy?' I tried my best to answer her question in the car, but had to revert to YouTube when we returned home. While I was on the PC I decided to check my Virtual Moon Map to see what craters would be on offer later that night. I was delighted to see that 'Hesiodus A' was up for grabs.

I'm sure the vast majority of people on this Forum have observed it before. While its dimensions are only 15km X 15km, I think it is one of the most fascinating objects on the Moon. It is interesting because of its symmetrical concentric circles. I tried my best ot sketch it, but I struggled with it. I tried pencils, and charcoals, and what I've attached is the best of a bad bunch, so please forgive me.

As it is a very small crater, I needed to go to 416X to sketch it. At this magnification I noticed a very feint dark triangular-shaped marking outside the crater. It is positioned at approximately 5 o'clock in my sketch. I reckon this shadow comes from the eastern wall of Hesiodus. I also noticed a very small crater just outside Hesiodus A. In my sketch it is at 11 o'clock. I've since discovered that there is another smaller crater next to it. 

I was at the eyepiece from about 21:30UT, and finished up by 22:20 UT. I used my f/5 250mm Newtonian reflector on a Dobsonian base to observe the crater, and conditions were nice all round - good seeing and transparency, and a very mild evening.

I'd love to hear what others think of this little crater, and if you haven't observed I'd encourage you to take a look as it is probably the best example of a crater with symmetrical concentric circles.

As always many thanks for reading the post, and clear skies to all.

Darren.

 
 

Superb sketch of Hesiodus A, Darren!

What a wonderful rendition we have here. 
The double concentric walls are very well portrayed.  

Clear skies from Aubrey.  

Very many thanks for your kind words Aubrey.

Surprisingly, it was a real tough one to do. I think I need to get me some pastel pencils for future Moon sketches.

Clear skies,

Darren.