03/07/2017 – Ephemeris – The Moon tonight – the crater Copernicus

Ephemeris for Tuesday, March 7th.  The Sun will rise at 7:08.  It’ll be up for 11 hours and 29 minutes, setting at 6:38.  The Moon, 2 days past first quarter, will set at 4:39 tomorrow morning.

Looking at the Moon tonight the brightest feature on the left side of the moon is the big splash mark left by the impact that created the crater Copernicus.  The proper term is ejecta blanket that can be noticed by the naked eye or binoculars.  Although it is most visible during full moon, because it is really made of small craters that are most visible when we see them from the direction of the Sun, so they are not shadow filled and brighter than normal.    Copernicus is on the south edge of a great lava plain called Mare Imbrium, the Sea of Showers.  There’s a large crater on the north edge named after the Greek philosopher Plato.  At the upper left edge is the Laplace promontory the point of the Bay of Rainbows to be revealed tomorrow night.

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

Addendum

The Moon featuring Copernicus, Plato, Laplace Promontory and Mare Imbrium at 9 p.m., March 7, 2017. Created using Virtual Moon Atlas.