Lunar crater analysis as an alternative tool for physics and astronomy teaching

Abstract In this paper indirect measurements of the sizes of some lunar craters as well as their selenographic coordinates from lunar surface photographs were performed. In order to carry out the analysis of the images a software was developed in Visual Basic, which is so called Îasy. Comparing the results obtained through the program developed with data provided by an astronomical observatory average percentage deviations of less than 1% were obtained. In view of the didactic potential of the tool capable of reducing abstractions and producing motivation, as well as the reliability of the obtained results, we can verify that Îasy software can be used as an educational tool, as well as assist amateur astronomers in the development of good precision.