CHALLENGE NO. 4
A cluster of volcanoes!
From just finding out that there are volcanoes on the Moon, this challenge is to spot one of the easiest clusters of lunar volcanoes, the
Hortensius Omega cluster, also known as the Hortensius Domes.
NASA photo
This is not so much of a "can you see this feature" sort of challenge, but one of teaching yourself how to distinguish run-of-the-mill-mountains vs shield volcanoes on the lunar surface. But note the individual domes are small, the largest about 12km in diameter, so it will be a challenge for scopes under 3" in aperture.
Unless you knew what to look for, if you happened to come across this cluster of volcanoes you would just dismiss them as just a cluster of mountains. Instead, there's a couple of distinguishing features that go to help identify these as shield volcanoes.
Because these are not particularly high features, timing of the lunar phase is important, two days after first quarter or a day or two after last quarter.
What is most remarkable about this region is that there are literally dozens of volcanic domes that dot the entire area. The above NASA photo shows how wide spread they are. Making it easier to identify this area is it lies due west of Copernicus.
Happy hunting!
Alex.