Lunar "X" visibility predictions

[edosaurus_rex]

For all of the X-men out there, here are my predictions (X-pectations?) for when the X is visible for the remainder of 2006:

Date and time are in UT
05 Apr 1943 to 2248
05 May 0832 to 1137
03 Jun 2021 to 2325
03 Jul 0724 to 1028
01 Aug 1804 to 2109
31 Aug 0450 to 0755
29 Sep 1612 to 1916
29 Oct 0434 to 0739
27 Nov 1805 to 2110
27 Dec 0836 to 1141



Clear skies!

Ed

[vespine]

This is probably moon 101, but what's the "x" ?

I've tired google, honest, but searching for "moon" and "x" isn't exactly precise.. ;)

[edosaurus_rex]

Hi,

This is a visual phenomenon that happens near the first quarter Moon when the highlands near craters La Caille and Blanchinus are lit by low sunlight. It looks like a lit up letter "X" against the yet unlit part of the Moon. If you browse this site's Photography related forums you will find a thread where some of the guys photographed the feature.

Ed