Lunar X

[Antaletriangle]

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap090311.html
Credit & Copyright: Jerry Lodriguss (Catching the Light)
Explanation: The striking X near the center of this lunarscape is easily visible in binoculars or a small telescope. Yet, not too many have seen it. The catch is, this lunar X is only apparent during a four hour period just before the Moon's first quarter phase. At the terminator, or shadow line between lunar day and night, the X illusion is produced by a configuration of the craters Blanchinus, La Caille and Purbach. Near the Moon's first quarter phase, an astronaut standing close to the craters' position would see the slowly rising Sun very near the horizon. Temporarily, the crater walls would be in sunlight while the crater floors were still in darkness. Seen from planet Earth, contrasting sections of bright walls against the dark floors by chance look remarkably like an X. This sharp image of the Lunar X was captured at approximately 11:59 UT on March 3, 2009. The Moon's first quarter phase was at at 7:46 UT on March 4.

[Ammit]

If you look at the moon in its lower right hand corner ( i think it is )there is a circle with lines coming from it that to me resemble joins. I have seen a few square shapes towards the bottom of the moon ( as i see it in blighty ), they were actually visible for what seemed about 6 minutes then faded, so i believe light plays a major part in what we see up there.

[Antaletriangle]

Light and reflective indices play a huge role in every day observations and misinterpretations;"I can see Angels battling Dragons in clouds!lol. I feel that we always need to keep a perspective in what is stated,translated and then presented; always use your deep seated sense of reason which is your veritable tool in obscure and sometimes often misleading scenarios.

[Ammit]

I actually meant the real moon, not the picture you displayed.

[Jacqui D]

Again i think this is light producing that cross when the light moves further over the cross i feel will produce to a round hole shape like those all around.
Talking of the moon did anyone see the moon in England last evening 10th march 2009 it was the largest i have seen over kent around 6.15pm.
At first i actually thought it was the sun setting because it was strikingly bright orange which looked kinda strange. Then within 15minutes it rose to the east with the clearest outline ever.
I'm not into full moon watching does anyone know if there should have been a full moon last evening!

[Jacqui D]

Just found this excellant picture you can see how clear this was.

Sadly no pictures when it was bright orange.