Try viewing the Moon just after First Quarter, from 18th March, and see if you can find Plato Crater to the north of Mare Imbrium (small image, marked in red). This crater has an astonishingly smooth, dark floor within an even and circular crater ring. At 109 kilometres across, you’ll be able to spot this one with binoculars as well as a telescope.

To the right of the Plato Crater you’ll be able to pick out the arc of Montes Alpes, a mountain range with peaks ranging from 1,800-2,400 metres above the lunar equivalent of sea level. When these mountains are illuminated from a low angle you’ll see their shadows cast onto the basin of Mare Imbrium.  Nights around March 18th to 20th will be best for this.

Main picture: Sundown on the terminator: A high contrast view of Plato Crater and the surrounding terrain during local lunar sunset. © Tom Williams, shortlisted in Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2023