It might seem like a joke or an advertising stunt but it is all true: the most attentive, in the night between 6 and 7 March, will be able to observe a real “X” on the face of the Moon visible from the earth. It is not the first time that it happens but above all this precise letter from the alphabet is not always visible but only in particular conditions such as those that will occur in the next few hours.
What it is about
The experts in the sector explain that what is called “Lunar X”, also known by the name of “Werner X”, is a particular type of astronomical characteristic called “clear-dark”, that is, produced by a game of light. Werner is the name of the lunar crater where the optical phenomenon will occur. It should be clarified that it is not a true physical structure but it is a game of lights and shadows that happens only in some specific periods. “The ‘X’ is formed at the point where four crater, Purbach, the Caille, Blanchinus and Regomontontus, approach each other in the bitter southern loudspeakers of the moon “, they explain on Spaceweather.com.
The lunar surface is far from smooth: its characteristics appear different when the sun is quite low in its horizon. In this way, small structures can project very long shadows that can also be observed from our planet thus enhancing mountains and craters. At the same time, another phenomenon called “Lunar V” could also occur because on another side the letter “V” could also be observed (it is always an optical effect).
How to observe the “X”
Those who own a fantastic view could observe the “X” even with the naked eye but it is easier to see it with the help of binoculars, telescopes but also with the objectives of cameras. “Since these phenomena are always formed at the same point, they are rather easy to identify if you know when and where to look “, add the experts. In order to observe it, it is good to not have too many obstacles from the observation point but above all avoid the light pollution present in the big cities.
Everything the phenomenon occurs
“Once a month, when the sun rises on the Werner crater in the southern hemisphere of the moon, the sunlight touches the high ground of the region and creates a 50 miles wide cross shape “. In Italy it will be observable to start from 23.30 and for about two hours before the moon starts to be too low on the horizon during the sunset.
David Chapman, retired astronomer of the Halifax Center of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, wrote in an article on the subject: “There are excellent chances of seeing the X as a dazzling feature illuminated by the sun, suspended in a black shadow such as ink, completely independent of the border of the terminator “.