IWLOP #077 - Montes Spitzbergen & Mons Piton

IWLOP #077 - Montes Spitzbergen & Mons Piton

Picturesque small mountain range and an isolated mountain in Mare Imbrium. These peaks are interpreted to be relics of inner impact Mare Imbrium rings, and their shadow lengths are used to measure their heights. Montes Spitzbergen peaks rise to 1500 m whereas Mons Piton rises to 2250 m.

Objects: A & B near Piton, Kirch, Mons Piton, Montes Spitzbergen, Piazzi Smyth

Location: Home
Date: 2021-03-23
Time: 10:13 PM ADT
Equipment: 10" Meade SCT, 4.7 mm eyepiece
Magnification: x530
Seeing: Excellent (5)
Transparency: Excellent (5)

R1: Montes Spitzbergen is located west of Aristillus. Looks like a backwards "L"; each side is a broken line. R2: Mons Piton is west of Cassisni and NE of Montes Spitzbergen. It's a single formation. C1: The nearby craters Piazzi Smyth and Kirch appear round, saucer-like. Craters A and B were SW of Piton and are quite small and shallow. NOTE: Could see variations in the Mare floor, almost like ejecta rays (perhaps from Aristillus?). Darker around Montes Spitzbergen and area closest to Piton.