Painting of Pythagoras 6 Nov 2022

Hello everyone, 

It has been a very long time since I submitted an illustration of a lunar crater. So much so that I forgot how enjoyable it is to observe the Moon. While the night of the 6th November offered very few targets as it was so close to Full Moon one crater caught my eye: Pythagoras. 

This was my first time to observe this 130km crater. In fact, it was my first time to observe the area north of Sinus Iridium. Using my f/5 250mm Newtonian Reflector on a Dobsonian base and a 5mm Edge-on Planetary eye piece I spent just over an hour observing this magnificent region. Running directly south from Pythagoras was striking looking plateau, while inside the crater I saw only one of its two peaks. The peak that was visible cast a lovely shadow the Northern rim of the crater. 

I had contemplated whether to sketch what i saw at the eyepiece, but it was one of those nights when I just wanted to stare at the Moon. So instead, I took a photo of it - that way I could sketch what I observed at a later time if I wanted to.

Over the past few nights I decided to give painting a go. This is my first attempt using this medium, and it was enjoyable. While the painting is far from perfect it is a nice record to have from one of my favourite observations of 2022.

Many thanks for reading and taking a look.

Clear skies to all.

Darren. 

Thank you for painting this new sketch, Darren. 

I am most impressed by the central peak inside the Pythagoras crater and its shadow. 
I observed this same central peak on Friday 18th March 2011 in the Martello car park near Sandymount with my William Optics 158mm apochromatic refractor. 
I was a member of the South Dublin Astronomy Society at the time. 
John Flannery was the president. 

Thanks once again for your painting, 

I wish you clear skies - even for Friday night at the Sugarloaf!

Aubrey.  

I read elsewhere that the central peak of Pythagoras has a height of 3100 metres. 
And the rims are a little over 4100 metres high. 

Best regards from Aubrey. 

Hi Aubrey,

Very many thanks for your nice messages, and I'm delighted to read you've observed this beautiful part of the Moon. Also, thank you for sharing those details about the height of the rim and the central peaks...amazing!

Clear skies,

Darren.