Subj : Stargazing News - May 11th, 2025
To   : All
From : CJ
Date : Sat May 10 2025 07:16 am

Sunday May 11, 2025

Reiner Gamma Lunar Swirl (all night)

Oceanus Procellarum is the large, dark mare region near the western (left-
hand) limb of the moon. The Reiner Gamma Lunar Swirl is a small, high-albedo
area located just inside the western edge of Procellarum, due north of the
dark crater Grimaldi and due west of the bright, rayed crater Kepler. It is
best seen a night or two after the moon's full phase. The 18 mile or 30 km
diameter crater Reiner is located east-southeast of Reiner Gamma. The swirl is
composed of ancient lunar basalt that has not been darkened by weathering,
likely due to protection from cosmic rays by a strong localized magnetic field
- the swirl has one of the strongest magnetic anomalies on the moon! At high
magnification, its complex, swirling shape can be discerned. 

(Data courtesy of Starry Night)
--- SBBSecho 3.23-Linux
 * Origin: CJ's Place, Orange City FL > cjsplace.thruhere.net (21:2/156)

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