The Luner X...Finally!

I have been trying to get a clear shot of the "so called" Luner X ever since I bought my telescope. I believe it's only visible for one day every month or so. Until tonight, every night it was visible it was cloudy.

I think these are the best shots I can muster without a sturdier mount or electric focuser. The mount takes about 8-10 seconds to settle down after touching it even a little bit. It's also affected by any gust of wind. It was a little windy tonight but after about 20 shots I came up with a few that I liked.

I have decided to post only one full frame shot and 1 crop of the same shot. I have some other shots where I zoomed in further but I didn't re-focus and I think the crop actually looks better.

Had to Google "Lunar X," and from what I've seen, you nailed it!

Never heard of the Lunar X, but can clearly see an X there. Nice and sharp image and captured it well.

AWWWW Yes ! You did nail it and a fine job at that ! I've never have had the chance ever .

Thanks for the comments everyone. There are actually two different types of crosses or x's that can be seen. The one I captured is also known as the Werner or Perbach Cross. The other is a similar looking one called the Curtiss Cross. I found a list which shows the dates each of the X's will be visible. I don't know what the numbers after the date mean.

2009 Curtiss Cross Predicted Start times, using Co-Long 194.00:

Jan 19 2020 UT no
Feb 18 1042 UT slim (0342)(low altitude)
Mar 20 0022 UT no
Apr 18 1306 UT yes (0606)OBSERVED, although Sun interfered
May 18 0056 UT no
Jun 16 1206 UT yes (0506)
Jul 15 2258 UT no
Aug 14 0959 UT yes (0259)While crossing M45!
Sep 12 2136 UT no
Oct 12 1006 UT yes (0306)
Nov 10 2333 UT no
Dec 10 1347 UT yes (0647)


2009 Lunar X illumination Dates/Times
Jan 3 1605 UT no
Feb 2 0733 UT no
Mar 3 2227 UT yes (1527)daytime event
Apr 2 1215 UT no
May 2 0042 UT yes (1742 on the 1st)
May 31 1153 UT no
Jun 29 2213 UT slim (1513)(low altitude)
Jul 29 0817 UT no
Aug 27 1845 UT no
Sep 26 0612 UT no moon just set
Oct 25 1900 UT no
Nov 24 0910 UT no
Dec 24 0022 UT yes (1722 on the 23rd)

Grab your scope or binos and check it out.

Great work Rick. Exposure and detail is outstanding.

Thanks everyone. In case anyone was wondering I took these shots with a Celestron C80-ED 600mm f7.5, Scopetronix Maxview 2" eyepiece with 1.6x maxpower lens, and a 55-250 lens screwed to the end of the maxview(the maxview has a 58mm external thread) The nifty two-fifty screws right on. No need for any adapters or holders of any kind. It's quite the bulky setup though. About a foot long of lens coming out of the diagonal. Can post a pic if anyone if interested.

I'd love to see and know more about your setup.

It took me a while to see the X as I was looking for something much bigger. Sticks out once you spot it doesn't it?

Nice shot.

Baz.

Nice shot... You nailed it. It has been cloudy the last 3-4 times it was optimal, but I have it on my hit list to get sometime....

HeathNC wrote in post #7848554
I'd love to see and know more about your setup.

Me too! Please show us your setup!

I wonder if there be pirate treasure thar!

Nicely done dood!

NovaTJ wrote in post #7852495
Me too! Please show us your setup!

OK here is 2 pictures I took to give you an idea of what I'm using. First is the scope with camera and lens all attached. I have the 18-55 lens on in this picture, but I can also use the 55-250. I found that taking shots at 55mm usually turn out much better. It's much easier to focus. The mount I have is a late 80's early 90's cheapy Celestron EQ from my first scope received on my 11th birthday.
Second picture is just the maxview lens that I screw onto the lens.
I wonder if I could get better results by using my camera at prime focus with a TC. Sure would be a lot less bulky. More stable too.

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Rick -

Great shots. Yes, you'll do just as well at prime focus and, like you said, with much less bulk. The setup you're using (with a lens on the camera looking into an eyepiece) is a way to get very high magnifications - much more than your scope can deliver. When I saw them, I thought they were PF because the scale looked about right.

Great shot and cool setup.