[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by masraum

If you've got binoculars or a telescope or spotting scope or even a camera with a good telephoto lens, and the sky is nice and clear where you are, the moon is really nice tonight. The terminator (demarcation between light and dark) location tonight on the moon is nicely showing on a heavily cratered area, so well into the dark area you can see bright spots which are basically the tops of mountains, and there's lots of dark craters near the light side of the terminator. You can of course, always see the terminator as long as the moon is not full, but sometimes, the view seems a bit better than others, usually when it's half full (quarter moon) or less.

The moon is, to me, one of the celestial objects that almost never photographs as well as you can see it if you've got some sort of telescope. The main reason is because cameras don't have the dynamic range to allow you to see the light and dark areas in as much detail.

But, here's a photo that somewhat demonstrates what I'm talking about (and is pretty close to the current phase of the moon, I think)

+1. The waxing/waning crescents reveal a lot of detail. I have a 90mm Mak/Cass that is ideal for lunar views.