Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Ephemeris for Monday, September 24th.  The sun will rise at 7:32.  It’ll be up for 12 hours and 2 minutes, setting at 7:35.   The moon, 2 days past first quarter, will set at 2:44 tomorrow morning.

Since the International Observe the Moon Night was cloudy in our area if its clear tonight there are still great views of the moon.  You’re on your own, so dig out those binoculars and dust off that telescope for a great view of the moon.  The sun will have risen on one of the great craters  Copernicus.  It’s near the terminator, the sunrise line on the moon on the left, close to half way from north to south.  Copernicus was named for the Polish astronomer who put forth the heliocentric solar system in the 16th century.  The crater is 56 miles in diameter with a vaguely hexagonal form and two miles deep.  It has terraced walls and three central peaks.  It may look deeper than that due to the low sun angle exaggerating its depth.

Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan.  They may be different for your location.

Addendum

The moon on showing Copernicus and other large craters on the terminator. Created using Virtual Moon Atlas.

The crater Copernicus. Credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University.