January 16, 2022
The moon is host to bright, sinuous patterns called lunar swirls. The formation of these swirls is not understood; however, NASA is sending the Lunar Vertex payload to study the magnetic anomalies at Reiner Gamma. Reiner Gamma is the largest of the lunar swirls and can be seen on the western portion of the large mare Oceanus Procellarum on a clear night with binoculars.
On January 16, 2021, the Moon will exhibit a waxing gibbous phase with 99% disk Illumination. Reiner Gamma can be found north of the crater named Grimaldi. Moon image credit: NASA, SVS, Ernie Wright. Reiner Gamma image credit: NASA, LROC