New Amateur Astronomer High-res Moon View from France: December 29, 2025

New Amateur Astronomer High-res Moon View from France: December 29, 2025

French amateur astronomer Philippe Tosi: "The seeing was very good." His 9-inch telescope revealed towering mountains, lava plains and impact craters—and hundreds of sunrise shadows marching along the rugged terminator. With this kind of clarity, you might even spot a meteor crashing.

Amateur astronomy is a hobby where participants enjoy observing or imaging celestial objects in the sky using the unaided eye, binoculars, or telescopes. Even though scientific research may not be their primary goal, amateur astronomers can make contributions in citizen science, such as by monitoring variable stars, double stars, sunspots, or occultations of stars by the Moon or asteroids, or by discovering transient astronomical events, such as comets, galactic novae or supernovae in other galaxies.

Amateur astronomers do not use the field of astronomy as their primary source of income or support, and usually have no professional degree in astrophysics or advanced academic training in the subject. Most amateurs are hobbyists, while others have a high degree of experience in astronomy and may often assist and work alongside professional astronomers.

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https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/night-sky-network/

About French amateur astronomer Philippe Tosi

Born in March 1969, I began in astronomy at the age of 10. At 14 years old, I already began the construction of a telescope of 200 mm . . . Since then, I realized about fifty instruments of diameters, focal and of different optical configurations. Fascinated by photography, I was known by means of exhibitions and conferences. Regularly published in Ciel et Espace magazines, Astrosurf magazine, I also write numerous articles on the techniques of recording and on the construction of instruments.

I am at present scientific presenter in the Planetarium of Nîmes.

Image Credit: Philippe Tosi

Philippe's website: https://www.photoastro.com
Image Date: Dec. 29, 2025

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