Craters get the attention. The real lunar regulars hunt rilles: the long, winding channels that snake across the Moon's plains and only show up properly when the light is just right.

The design: a pennant for an imaginary crew

A gray team pennant, outlined in navy, carries a winding channel across its cloth with two tiny survey flags staked along the way. Below it, RILLE SURVEY CREW is set in tall navy capitals. It reads like the banner of a club that spends its nights following one narrow valley from end to end at the eyepiece.

Crew colors for the eyepiece

Wear it on a lunar observing night, to a star party, or for running errands with the rest of the crew. It is a fun gift for the friend who knows a rille from a ray and keeps a list of the ones still to find.

The tee: why it costs more

This is a heavier, roomier shirt than an everyday tee. The thick cotton has real weight and drape, and it is dyed and washed after it is sewn, so the color looks gently faded from the first day. The boxy cut with dropped shoulders gives an easy oversized look that layers well over a thermal on cold nights. It is built for years of wear, which is why it is priced above a basic tee.

• 100% cotton, thick and substantial with a relaxed drape.
• Dyed after sewing for a lived-in, faded color.
• Boxy oversized cut with dropped shoulders.
• Wide ribbed neck that keeps its shape.
• Pre-shrunk, so the fit stays put after washing.
• The full design is printed on the front; the back is plain.

Quick answers

What is a rille?

A rille is a long, narrow channel or groove on the Moon's surface. Some wind like dry riverbeds, others run straight for miles. They show best when sunlight hits them at a low angle.

Which rilles are easiest to see in a small telescope?

Schröter's Valley, the big winding channel beside the bright crater Aristarchus, is the easiest. The long, straight Ariadaeus Rille and the Hyginus Rille, with a small crater at its bend, also show well in a 3–4 inch telescope. Look when they sit near the shadow line, where low sunlight makes them stand out.

What are the two little flags on the pennant?

They are survey stakes marking points along the winding channel, as if the crew were mapping it one section at a time.

Is this a good pick for someone who only uses binoculars?

It suits any Moon lover, though rilles are mostly a telescope target. For a binocular observer it can be a fun nudge toward the next step.

Care

Machine wash cold, inside out, on a gentle cycle with similar colors. Skip fabric softener and use non-chlorine bleach only if needed. Tumble dry low or hang dry. If you iron, use a cool iron on the inside and keep it off the print. Do not dry clean.

Shipping and returns

Free US shipping. US delivery usually 5–12 business days. Easy 30-day returns.

Size guide