Here is a afocal pic of what I call the "Curtiss Cross". The photo was taken last Thursday morning, January 31, 2008 at 6:51AM EST (1151 UT). It is the "cross" or "X" shaped illumination in the center of the photo, just to the lighted side of the terminator. Co-long was 193.82, illumination fraction of .382 from the light of the lunar sunset. This photo is still not quite the sharpness I was hoping for, but with an outside tempurature of 15 degrees, I kind of lost my will to adjust/bracket focus as I apparently should have. Used a Fuji S5000 camera connected to a Orion 127mm Mak-Cass afocally through the GSO 40mm eyepiece.

Dana T.

Attached Images

CopyRes of Curtiss Cross January 31, 2008 102.jpg (74.9 KB, 25 views)

Even with not ideal conditions you did fine, And yes "X" marks the spot Welldone Dana looking forward to see more from you. Clear Skies

Clearly defined andd you did well with the focus...always a bit hit and miss afocally. Congratulations.

Kind regards
Matt

Hey Champ well done indeed. Clear skies to you Paul

Thanks everyone! It looks like this will be the only "curtiss cross" event that I will be able to view from my location this year. The rest of my "X" pictures will have to be the First Quarter Luunar X for the remainder of 2008.

dana t