The Moon makes a fine target for amateur astronomers, even with small telescopes. The north east and south east quadrants are those which first come into view after New Moon until they begin to go back into shadow after Full Moon.
Mare Crisium, the waterless Sea of Crises, is one of the first great lava plains to come into view, followed by the forked plains that include Mare Tranquillitatis, the Sea of Tranquility, where Man first walked on the Moon in the Apollo 11 mission. They are visible to the unaided eye but binoculars will show them clearly.
Interesting features to look for with telescopes include the brilliant Proclus near Mare Crisium’s western edge. Look in Mare Serenitatis, the Sea of Serenity, for two spots marking smaller craters, Bessel and Linne. A larger feature known as the “ghost crater” because it has been flooded with lava is Lamont in Mare Tranquillitatis.
As the lunar phase approaches First Quarter, conditions become ideal for telescope users to spot the spectacular Alpine Valley, a gash that cuts through 130km high mountains. The dramatic Apennine mountain range also begin to come into view at this time.
Update! For an alternative, inverted view, here is a chart with south at the top.
You can download a check sheet for the entire list of 50 features here! (PDF file).
Fifty fantastic features
Our amazing Moon.
Here’s our guide to observing some of the finest sights on the Moon with small telescopes.
South-east quadrant
What to see in the south-east.
Here’s where to find some of the fantastic features visible on the south-east quadrant of the Moon.
North-west quadrant
What to see in the north-west.
Here’s where to find some of the fantastic features visible on the north-west quadrant of the Moon.
South-west quadrant
What to see in the south-west.
Here’s where to find some of the fantastic features visible on the south-west quadrant of the Moon.