Tycho

1/250 second exposure, Fuji Super HG V 400 film. 12.5" f/6 newtonian plus 25mm eyepiece.

One of the most prominent craters on the Moon, particularly near full phase is Tycho. Situated in the southern highlands not far from the large crater Clavius, Tycho is one of the most recently formed craters. At about 55km across, Tycho is by no means the largest crater on the Moon. What makes it so prominent however is its magnificent system of rays, that can reach more than halfway around the Moon. Near the time of full moon, these rays are one of the most obvious features visible on the Moon. These rays are so bright that they make it very difficult to observe nearby craters when the Sun is at a high altitude. An excellent example of this is the crater Clavius. It is easily visible in the photographs below, which were taken shortly after the Sun had risen on this region. However in the photograph above, taken near full moon with the Sun at a high altitude, Clavius is all but invisible.

1/15 second exposure, Kodak Elitechrome 400 slide film.
30" f/5 newtonian at prime focus.

1/30 second exposure, Kodak Tri-X 400 film.
5" f/5 refractor plus 6mm orthoscopic eyepiece.

In this photograph, the complex central peak of Tycho is promient. The very large, heavily battered crater at the top of the image is Maginus

0.002 seconds exposure, SBIG ST-8E CCD.
8" f/10 schmidt-cassegrain at prime focus.

0.002 seconds exposure, SBIG ST-8E CCD.
8" f/10 schmidt-cassegrain at prime focus.

0.005 seconds exposure, SBIG ST-8E CCD.
18" f/10.5 Ritchey-Chrétien telescope at prime focus.

Combination of 10, 0.05 second images using an H-alpha filter.
SBIG ST-8XE CCD. 16" f/10 schmidt-cassegrain telescope plus a 2x barlow lens.

Combination of 20, 0.02 second exposures.
SBIG ST8XE CCD. 20" f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham cassegrain telescope at prime focus.

Combination of 20, 0.02 second exposures with an H-alpha filter. SBIG ST-10XE CCD.
20" f/6.8 cassegrain with a 2x barlow lens.

Combination of 20, 0.02 second exposures with an H-alpha filter. SBIG ST-10XE CCD.
20" f/6.8 cassegrain with a 2x barlow lens.

Combination of 2000, 0.002 second exposures.
DMK video CCD. 20" f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham cassegrain telescope at prime focus.

Combination of 2000, 0.002 second exposures.
DMK video CCD. 20" f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham cassegrain telescope at prime focus.