Hitchhiker's Guide to Rukl Chart 49

Gang Of Four (David North <d _at_ timocharis.com>)

The Gang Of Four is my nickname for the craters that "come to light" at the same time, around 60 degrees east; the only such "row" on the moon and quite notable even in binoculars. The four are Langrenus, Vandelinus (chart 60), Petavius (chart 59), and Furnerius (chart 69.)

As a group, these four are hard to beat, and they give something worthwhile in good seeing or poor, with big glass or small.

Langrenus (David North <d _at_ timocharis.com>)

The best formed of the "gang" is Langrenus, a classic youngish crater with a near-perfect central peak. As good as it is, there isn't much profit in higher magnification -- it am what it am, and it won't show much more other than some detail in the floor (what appears to be a minor ejecta blanket) and some terracing.

Langrenus (JRF <freeman _at_ netcom.com>)

The first prominent crater south of Mare Crisium, Langrenus is a "landmark" feature, easily recognized and useful for orientation. Its walls are terraced.

Langrenus (Randy Muller <71172.1234 _at_ compuserve.com>)

I looked at Langrenus (Rukl 49) plus a nice trio of similarly sized craters in Mare Fecundatis (Naonobu, Atwood and Bilharz; old names: Langrenus B, K and F). The slumping walls of the crater were an interesting and unexpected detail I noticed.

Ansgarius (David North <d _at_ timocharis.com>)

I tried to catch an eyeful of the terraces in the walls of Ansgarius when it was near the termintor but had no luck; the light was too direct and it was just a burned out glare. It is well-formed and easily distinguished, so I suspect it will show well when almost exactly on the terminator. I simply haven't been that lucky yet.