Observing for Beginners

Ok Lads - I have to say that based on the photograph, you could imagine and demonstrate pretty much any shape or form on the moon, the planets or in the stars. Face on Mars ring a bell?

That said, you do point out that visually it is a more striking feature...

I do believe, however, that Al's feature, as depicted in his Avatar is real though - right Al? And he will of course prove this by telling us all exactly where it is on the moon - assuming its the moon... !

Dave
:twisted:

I do believe, however, that Al's feature, as depicted in his Avatar is real though - right Al? And he will of course prove this by telling us all exactly where it is on the moon - assuming its the moon... !

hi Dave,

Al's avatar is an image of a crater on Mars! ... especially after the hysteria over the "Face" a few years ago. I can't remember the name of the crater offhand though.

atb,

John

Hi,

Yep its a crater on Mars. I did touch up the left `eye` a little, but apart from that its genuine. antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap990315.html

The crater is called Galle and is 215km in diameter.

Cheers,
~Al

I thought he eyes and smile were put in by you :shock:
thats a good one :lol:

Same here!

The crater is called Galle and is 215km in diameter.

Cheers,
~Al

It's also the place where Dr Manhattan hides out after he gets chased away from Earth in Alan Moore's Watchmen. A fantastic read.

The Observing Challenges were mentioned earlier, and thanks to everyone for their kind words, but just to remind people, there are prizes available to the first person to complete the challenges. The prize for the Novice challenge is a subscription to Astronomy Now.