March 4, 2004

Ptolemaeus Peak Heights

[[LPOD-2004-03-04.jpeg|]]

Image Credit: NASA Chart LM 77

Ptolemaeus Peak Heights Lunar observers, long impressed by lengthy shadows of ["LPOD-2004-03-03.htm" peaks]	LM 77/CAW	Neison	Schmidt	W&M
alpha	1810 m	910 m	1327 m
gamma	2945 m	1830 m
lambda	1635 m	1220 m
mu	2370 m	1220 m
eta	2740 m		3267 m	2743 m
theta	1500 m
nu	2710 m
epsilon	900 m

Comparing peak heights I determined using the LM 77 chart with values reported by Neison in 1876 and Schmidt in 1878 shows a systematic under-estimation of Neison's values. It is perplexing that his values are as much as 50% less than the modern values; Schmidt's two heights are 500 m too high and 500 m too low. However, in Wilkins & Moore's 1955 The Moon, the only height given is eta at 9000 ft which equals nearly exactly the modern value! Someone needs to write a program that will allow amateurs to routinely measure heights from their own ccd images.

Related Links:
Ptolemy - the Man
Height of Lunar Mountains
Identification of suspect features in Ptolemaeus crater (domes?)

Tomorrow's LPOD: What's All The Excitement About Mars?

Author & Editor: Charles A. Wood Technical Consultant: Anthony Ayiomamitis A service of: ObservingTheSky.Org Visit these other PODs: Astronomy | Mars | Earth

 

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