Even small telescopes can reveal an enormous amount of detail on the surface of the Moon.
This table provides simulated images and other data for the Moon as it will appear at 20:30 (8:30 pm) on each Tuesday that it is visible during the Fall semester. Each date links to an image showing how the Moon will appear on that evening. The altitude column gives the angle in degrees between the Moon and the horizon as seen from Honolulu; small altitudes are more difficult to observe. The diameter column gives the Moon's angular diameter, measured in minutes of arc. The phase column indicates the angle of sunlight, and the final column lists surface features which should be visible.
| Date | Altitude | Diameter | Phase | Visible Features |
| 09/02/03 | 33.4 | 32.3 | 93.2 | |
| 09/09/03 | 25.3 | 30.7 | 6.9 | |
| 09/30/03 | 20.8 | 32.4 | 109.8 | |
| 10/07/03 | 43.1 | 30.3 | 23.6 | |
| 10/28/03 | 7.3 | 32.7 | 127.7 | |
| 11/04/03 | 59.3 | 30.0 | 41.7 | |
| 11/11/03¹ | 6.8 | 29.5 | -34.8 | |
| 11/25/03² | -7.4 | 33.0 | 147.1 | |
| 12/02/03 | 69.5 | 29.9 | 60.6 | |
| 12/09/03 | 22.1 | 29.6 | -15.7 |
| Notes: | 1 - Veteran's day. An optional observing session will be organized if people are interested. |
| 2 - Moon sets at about 19:50 (7:50 pm) that evening. We will begin observing at 19:00 (7:00 pm). |
Animation showing the Moon as seen from the Earth from 08/26/03, 14:00 to 12/31/03, 08:00 (08/27/03, 00:00 UT to 12/31/03, 18:00 UT). Besides the obvious changes in phase, this animation also shows the variation in the Moon's apparent diameter and the ``wobbling'' motion known as libration. Generated using NASA's Solar System Simulator.
Resources for amateur and professional lunar observers. Has links to ongoing observing projects.
Last modified: September 4, 2003
http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~barnes/ASTR110L_F03/moonviewing.html