PLATO

DRAWINGS

DAVID O. DARLING

The following pictures are drawings that I done over the years of the crater Plato. I keep these as a matter of record in my observing journal. With these drawings I have made notations on them as to albedo brightness of given points on the crater rim and floor. The drawing below shows the two main craterlets that are most commonly seen during observing sessions.

This drawing shows the swelling or bump located on the southwest corner of the crater floor. Depending on the solar illumination many bright patches and streaks can be seen on the floor that appear to change and look different each lunation.

This drawing shows the crater Plato during a sunrise period. The rim is completely illuminated but the crater floor is still engulfed in shadow. As mentioned earlier in the description of this formation this can be one of the most dramatic viewing sessions you may ever have. Watching the crater floor come alive with detail just as the sun rises over the crater rim can be one of the most spectacular events you ever witness. There are many peaks on the rim casting long shadows which reach across the entire floor, giving the crater a bizarre appearance that will only last for a few hours.

If you observe a formation long enough you will see details that you have never seen before. The drawing below shows a linear feature crossing the flat crater floor. I have never seen this feature before and have not seen it since this observation. Observing the Moon for just the pure enjoyment of trying to learn its topographical features under different lighting conditions can be a very rewarding pastime as well.