En la entrada anterior nos referíamos al “gran enigma lunar”, los “fenómenos lunares transitorios”. Quien quiera conocerlos un poco más, puede leer una antigua entrada en nuestra web (https://astroentrerios.com.ar/web/los-fenmenos-lunares-transitorios/).
El estudio de este enigma es una enorme oportunidad para el aficionado. Su tarea no se limita a la observación directa de un fenómeno tan elusivo. También puede contribuir a la confirmación de FLT producidos con anterioridad. ALPO publica mensualmente un catálogo con la información día por día sobre fenómenos lunares transitorios producidos en el pasado y cuyas condiciones de iluminación se reproducen para observadores ubicados en una determinada zona geográfica y en un horario determinado. La observación de la zona lunar indicada en el horario indicado (que es siempre UT o en castellano TU, tiempo universal) ayuda a confirmar de que se trató de un FLT o de lo que se observó como tal es una rasgo de la zona observada que se vuelve a observar en las mismas condiciones. Este estudio es fascinante, porque nuestra observación será única y tendrá un valor poco común para una observación amateur.
A continuación, la información brindada por ALPO para lo que resta de abril:
Ill is percentage illumination of the Moon
*Indicates a repeat illumination and libration event to within +/- 1 deg for both
A non-* indicates just repeat illumination to within +/-0.5 deg
2015-Apr-15 UT 08:18-09:53 Ill=15% Earthshine: sporadic meteors
2015-Apr-16 UT 09:27-09:54 Ill=8% Earthshine: sporadic meteors
2015-Apr-21 UT 21:49-21:55 Ill=12% Earthshine: Lyrids: ZHR=18 & Eta Puppids & (radio) Delta Piscids
2015-Apr-22 UT 21:18-21:46 Ill=20% Picard observed by Unknown_English_Observer on 1909-5-23
In 1909 May 23 at UT 18:00? an unknown English observer observed a bright spot east of Picard. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=330 and the weight=1. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-22 UT 21:18-21:45 Ill=20% Aristarchus observed by Bornhurst on 1965-12-27
On 1965 Dec 27 at UT Bornhurst (Monterey Park, CA, USA, 10″ reflector) and (Harris (Whittier? CA, USA, 19″ reflector?) observed brightening of Aristarchus in Ashen light. Cameron says that this is an independent confirmation? The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=918 and weight=4. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-22 UT 21:48-22:47 Ill=21% Earthshine: Lyrids: ZHR=18 & Eta Puppids & (radio) Delta Piscids
2015-Apr-23 UT 21:34-23:03 Ill=29% Aristarchus observed by Miles_H on 1990-1-1
On 1990 Jan 01 at UT 16:55-18:45 H. Miles (Cornwall, UK) observed that Aristarchus was seen in Earthshine at 16:55UT before the limb (was visible in Earthshine?). «1705 Aris>>1723 fading 1727 > again.» Then: «1740 Aris << and just visible at 1845». Apparently Foley suspects that Aristarchus had brightened up before 16:55UT (shwen H. Miles started to observe) and then gradually retruned to normal. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=385 and the weight=0. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-23 UT 22:07-23:37 Ill=30% Copernicus observed by Miles_H on 1990-1-1
On 1990 Jan 01 at UT 17:29 H. Miles (Cornwall, UK) observed that Copernicus had a faint glow in it. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=385 and the weight=0. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-23 UT 23:24-23:40 Ill=30% Aristarchus observed by Struve_F on 1822-1-27
On 1822 Jan 27 at UT 20:00? F. Struve (Pulkovo Observatory? Russia) observed near Aristarchus an 8th magnitude star-like point. Seen through overcast! (Klado gave date as 1821 but must be in error according to cameron). The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=95 and the weight=4. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-23 UT 23:39-23:40 Ill=30% Aristarchus observed by Celis on 1969-10-16
On 1969 Oct 16 at UT 00:00-00:30 Celis (Quilpue, Chile, 3″ refractor, x60, seeing=very good) observed brilliant points at 8.5 magnitude in Aristarchus. This was not seen the next night or the one after, nor after 5 days age. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1204 and weight=1. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-23 UT 21:47-23:42 Ill=30% Earthshine: Lyrids: ZHR=18 & Eta Puppids & (radio) Delta Piscids
2015-Apr-24 UT 21:16-00:08 Ill=39% Kant observed by Trouvelot on 1873-1-4 *
Kant 1873 Jan 04 UT 23:00? Observed by Trouvelot (Cambridge, Mass, 8″ refractor) «Luminous puplish vapors» NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #180.
2015-Apr-24 UT 21:24-22:43 Ill=39% Posidonius observed by Cook_AC on 1984-12-28
Posidonius 1984 Dec 28 UT 18:52-18:54 Observed by Cook (Frimley, UK, Moon Blink used, Seeing V, Transparency very poor) «Spurious colour on W. Proclus. Posidonus nothing apart from rominent spurious colour on small bright craterlets. 18:54-18:57 Censorinus – Blue on N red on S. Almost 100% sure that the effect seen in Posidonius was spurious colour» ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-24 UT 21:39-23:12 Ill=39% Proclus observed by Darling_D on 1989-2-11
On 1989 Feb 11 at UT23:30-01:39 D. Darling (Sun Praire, WI, USA, 12.5″ reflector, x159, seeing=7/10) observed a linear east to west feature in Proclus. D. Weier (WI, USA, 11″ reflector, x378) found the NNW part of the crater to be brighter than expected and confirmed the prescence of the east to west feature – this crossed the shadow on the east floor and over into Mare Crisium. R. Manske (WI, USA) detected another «streak» parallel to this. All observers suspect that the linear features were due to raised topography on the floor of Proclus – however Cameron comments that there does not seem to be any linear features on the floor of Proclus to cause these effects. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=351 and the weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-24 UT 21:53-23:30 Ill=39% Aristarchus observed by Johnson_G on 1985-4-26
G Johnson of Swanton, MD, USA used a 2″ refractor at f/12. Aristachus revealed as a red spot on a photo of the Moon. This was similar to another photo obtained on 1988 Apr 21st. Frame (with 3 exposures present)reveals a dim star like point near Campanus on exposure 1. Expsoure 2 shows it a little east on the Earth-lit part. Exposure 3 shows it off the south-east limb. Apparently 20 minutes later took 2 exposures and frame 18 was a double. The second exposure revealed an object farther from the limb but the first exposure does not show the object. The two high power exposures do not show it. Cameron could not see the spots that Johson describes on his slides, but did see several spots (defects?) on the 8 and 12 second exposures near Hevelius and also on the 20 second exposure near to Hecataeus only. BAA members observed star like flashes a few hours earlier – near Aristarchus. One BAA member, Madej, had seen a green glow in Arisarchus in two places in two eyepieces. Cameron 2006 Catalog extension ID=265 and weight=2.
2015-Apr-24 UT 21:53-23:30 Ill=39% Campanus observed by Johnson_G on 1985-4-26
G Johnson of Swanton, MD, USA used a 2″ refractor at f/12. Aristachus revealed as a red spot on a photo of the Moon. This was similar to another photo obtained on 1988 Apr 21st. Frame (with 3 exposures present)reveals a dim star like point near Campanus on exposure 1. Expsoure 2 shows it a little east on the Earth-lit part. Exposure 3 shows it off the south-east limb. Apparently 20 minutes later took 2 exposures and frame 18 was a double. The second exposure revealed an object farther from the limb but the first exposure does not show the object. The two high power exposures do not show it. Cameron could not see the spots that Johson describes on his slides, but did see several spots (defects?) on the 8 and 12 second exposures near Hevelius and also on the 20 second exposure near to Hecataeus only. BAA members observed star like flashes a few hours earlier – near Aristarchus. One BAA member, Madej, had seen a green glow in Arisarchus in two places in two eyepieces. Cameron 2006 Catalog extension ID=265 and weight=2.
2015-Apr-24 UT 21:53-23:30 Ill=39% Hecataeus observed by Johnson_G on 1985-4-26
G Johnson of Swanton, MD, USA used a 2″ refractor at f/12. Aristachus revealed as a red spot on a photo of the Moon. This was similar to another photo obtained on 1988 Apr 21st. Frame (with 3 exposures present)reveals a dim star like point near Campanus on exposure 1. Expsoure 2 shows it a little east on the Earth-lit part. Exposure 3 shows it off the south-east limb. Apparently 20 minutes later took 2 exposures and frame 18 was a double. The second exposure revealed an object farther from the limb but the first exposure does not show the object. The two high power exposures do not show it. Cameron could not see the spots that Johson describes on his slides, but did see several spots (defects?) on the 8 and 12 second exposures near Hevelius and also on the 20 second exposure near to Hecataeus only. BAA members observed star like flashes a few hours earlier – near Aristarchus. One BAA member, Madej, had seen a green glow in Arisarchus in two places in two eyepieces. Cameron 2006 Catalog extension ID=265 and weight=2.
2015-Apr-24 UT 21:53-23:30 Ill=39% Hevelius observed by Johnson_G on 1985-4-26
G Johnson of Swanton, MD, USA used a 2″ refractor at f/12. Aristachus revealed as a red spot on a photo of the Moon. This was similar to another photo obtained on 1988 Apr 21st. Frame (with 3 exposures present)reveals a dim star like point near Campanus on exposure 1. Expsoure 2 shows it a little east on the Earth-lit part. Exposure 3 shows it off the south-east limb. Apparently 20 minutes later took 2 exposures and frame 18 was a double. The second exposure revealed an object farther from the limb but the first exposure does not show the object. The two high power exposures do not show it. Cameron could not see the spots that Johson describes on his slides, but did see several spots (defects?) on the 8 and 12 second exposures near Hevelius and also on the 20 second exposure near to Hecataeus only. BAA members observed star like flashes a few hours earlier – near Aristarchus. One BAA member, Madej, had seen a green glow in Arisarchus in two places in two eyepieces. Cameron 2006 Catalog extension ID=265 and weight=2.
2015-Apr-24 UT 22:20-23:54 Ill=39% Aristarchus observed by Classen on 1967-4-15
On 1967 Apr 15 at UT 19:15-21:00 Classen (Pulsnitz Observatory, East Germany, 8″ refractor) found that Aristarchus was very bright and the atmospheric seeing was very good until 21:00UT. Nothing unsual was seen on 16th and 17th April. Cameron reports that this was the first TLP seen by this group. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1022 and the weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-24 UT 22:56-00:37 Ill=40% Aristarchus observed by Stretton on 1794-3-7
On 1794 Mar 07 at UT 20:00 Stretton, Wilkins and Msekelyn (England, UK) observed Aristarchus appearing as a light like a star in Earthsine (independent confirmation according to Cameron?). According to Cameron, Maskelyne observed the effect for ~15 minutes. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=73 and 74 and the weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
2015-Apr-24 UT 21:46-00:39 Ill=40% Earthshine: sporadic meteors
2015-Apr-25 UT 21:15-21:57 Ill=49% Unknown observed by Gaboreau on 1895-9-25
On 1895 Sep 25 at UT 20:00? Gaboreau (Paris, France) observed on the Moon s shaft of light (same observation as Cameron’s TLP report #281 and further more it is on the same day and month as it was back in 1893. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=286 and weight=0. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-26 UT 00:11-00:39 Ill=50% Ross_D observed by Cross on 1964-6-17
On 1964 Jun 17 at UT 04:15-05:01 Cross et al. (Whittier, CA, USA, 19″ ? reflector, S=7-8) observed near Ross D: «Gas cloud. Motion». The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=818 and weight=4. The ALPO/BAA weight=4.
2015-Apr-25 UT 21:45-01:08 Ill=50% Earthshine: sporadic meteors
2015-Apr-26 UT 01:14-01:35 Ill=50% Agrippa observed by Bartlett on 1966-11-19
Agrippa 1966 Nov 19/20 UTC 23:58-00:14 Observed by Bartlett (Baltimore, MD, USA, 5″ reflector x283, S=4, T=5) «Faint bluish tinge seen at base of NW wall beneath landslip» NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #995.
2015-Apr-26 UT 01:34-03:01 Ill=50% Unknown observed by Paolo_F on 1997-4-14 *
On 1997 Apr 14 at UT 20:00-22:00 F. Paolo (Legnano, Italy) photographed a lunar flare on the lunar limb.
2015-Apr-26 UT 21:13-22:51 Ill=59% Ptolemaeus observed by Cook_AC on 1978-4-15
Ptolemaeus 1978 Apr 15 UTC 21:54-22:20 Observed by A.Cook (Frimley, Surrey, UK, 12″ reflector x240, S=IV (Antoniadi)) «Small triangular area on the NW floor of the crater, at the foot of the rim, was slightly brighter in blue light than in red (Moonblink used). Suspected this was due to the poor observing conditions. Certainly blink reaction was not unmistakable». ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-26 UT 22:02-22:33 Ill=59% Archimedes observed by Hill_EG on 1966-3-29
Archimedes 1966 Mar 29 UT 21:00 Observed by Hill (England, 24″ reflector, x250, S=E) «Brightening of E-W bands across floor. (Obscuration accord. to Moore)» NASA catalog ID #923. NASA catalog weight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-26 UT 22:59-00:56 Ill=59% Mons_Pico observed by Quinn on 1986-11-9
On 1986 Nov 09 at UT 23:00 Quinn (Glebview, IL, USA, 8″ reflector, x49- x305) found ïn the vicinity of an unnamed ridge points toward Pico- two bright points about 5 magnitudes brighter than any other part of the Moon. The Alpine valley points directly between these two points. «Came from apparently featureless area. Both points about the same size, but different shapes ~ width of alpine valley» The observer used 4 different eyepieces and the points were brightest in the lowest power. Other specks of light could be seen in the darkness wound the N point. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=289 and the weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-26 UT 23:36-01:23 Ill=59% Archimedes observed by Burnerd on 1922-5-4
In 1922 May 04 at UT Burnerd (England?) discovered three long mounds in Archimedes crater (rays?). The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=385 and weight= 0. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-27 UT 00:41-02:26 Ill=60% Plato observed by Carle on 1952-2-4
On 1952 Feb 04 at UT 02:00? J. Carle (USA, 8″ reflector, x180) observed the following in Plato: «A shadow in a depression, or a cloud, or an optical illus.? Oval dark area nr. center, disappeared in 15m clear & prominenet at first then vanished 4 of 14 spots nr. center continuously seen while remaining ones seen only momentarily. (seeing?) Drawing includes sketch on March 7. His sketch shows 18 spots, 13 same as here». The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=549 and the weight=2. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-27 UT 00:48-01:56 Ill=60% Alphonsus observed by Wise on 1967-4-17
Alphonsus and limb 1967 Apr 17 UTC 21:30 Observed by Wise (England, 6.5″ reflector, x90) «3 dark patches (Alphonsus) prominent. Suspected red patch (blink ?). (indep. confirm. of Cross 1h later?).» NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #1024.
2015-Apr-27 UT 00:48-01:56 Ill=60% Plato observed by Wise on 1967-4-17
Plato 1967 Apr 17 UTC 21:30 Observed by Wise (England, 6.5″ reflector, x90) «Suspected a blink, (red?)» NASA catalog weight=2 (low). NASA catalog ID #1025.
2015-Apr-27 UT 00:48-01:56 Ill=60% W_Limb observed by Wise on 1967-4-17
On 1967 Apr 17 UT 21:30 Observed by Wise (England, 6.5″ reflector, x90) saw a brilliant object nr. E(ast. ?) limb (West Lim IAU?) for 15m. Check on star maps neg. (indep. confirm. of Cross 1h later?).» NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #1024.
2015-Apr-27 UT 00:59-02:09 Ill=60% Montes_Teneriffe observed by Hart on 1854-12-27
nr. Plato in Teneriffe Mountains 1854 Dec 27 UT 18:00-23:00 Observed by Hart & others (Glasgow, Scotland, 10″ reflector) «2 luminous fiery spots on bright side on either side of a ridge, contrasting color. Seemed to be 2 active volcanoes. Ridge was normal color. Spots were yellow or flame color. Never seen before in 40 yrs. of observing.» NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #129. ALPO/BAA weight=4.
2015-Apr-27 UT 01:02-02:27 Ill=60% Alphonsus observed by Jasmin_G on 2003-4-10
On 2003 Apr 10 at 00:40UT a GLR observer G. Jasmin (Quebec, Canada, using a 10″ F-10 Schmidt Cassegrain) took a photograph of Alphonsus crater on Kodak 400ASA film with an exposure of 1/30th sec. There was a light visible (diameter 10 km) inside Alphonsus and the effect was present for 5 minutes. The observer commented that they have seen a light in this crater many times before, but never as long as 5 minutes. This report was submitted to the GLR group in Italy. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-27 UT 01:19-02:32 Ill=60% Theaetetus observed by Moore_P on 1952-12-24
Thaetetus 1952 Dec 24 UT 20:00? Observed by Moore (England?) «Bright spot, hazy line of light» NASA catalog weight=4. NASA catalog ID 556. ALPO/BAA weigh=2.
2015-Apr-27 UT 01:55-02:32 Ill=60% Plato observed by Lade on 1889-6-6
On 1889 Jun 06 at 22:00 UT Lade of France (8″ refractor) saw two extremely bright spots (Plato B & D). Cameron 1978 catalog ID=262 and weight=2. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-27 UT 01:59-02:32 Ill=60% Proclus observed by Darling_D on 1989-2-14
On 1989 Feb 14 at UT03:45-04:38 D. Darling (Sun Praire, WI, USA, 12.5″ reflector, 3″ refractor, x90, seeing=3/10 and transparancy=5) noted that there was a dark patch of brightness 4.5 on the south east of Proclus – it was not as dark as it was on 1988 Jul 22. Cameon comments that the dark patch is normal. The north rim of Proclus was 9.0 in brightness, the floor had a brightness of 6.0, the west rim and south wall were both 7.5. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=352 and the weight=0. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-27 UT 02:00-02:32 Ill=60% Chacornac observed by Khachatryan_S on 2009-8-28
On 2009 Aug 28 at UTC 17:00:15-17:00:42 S. Khachatryan (Yerevan, Armenia, 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain, x171, seeing 9 (1=worst and 10- best), Transparency 5-6 on a scale of 1 to 6) observed in the Chacornac area a series of fiery sparks (dot like with tiny rays), slightly elongated with the multitudinal rays orientated towards the south west direction. The colour was mostly red, with some yellow. The final flash was the most clear. The TLP was tiny in area, but «was distinctly bright against any other object on the Moon». The positional uncertainty of the location of the spark effect was approximately +/- 150 km, based upon an examination of an atlas afterwards. Just prior to the spark effect, something dark, small and fuzzy (only just discrnable to the eye, through the eyepiece) was seen to pass from the west across the Moon in a slight curve, round the surface of the Moon to the east (post observation estimate: seen for 3.5 sec and covered roughly 8% of the lunar diameter in that time). The area of the dark object was comparable in size to (or slightly less than?) craters such as Autolycus F (diameter 3km) or le Monnier E (diameter 4km) i.e. on the limits of vision of the scope used. The location of the flash was not exactly at the same location as the dark object passed across, but gave the impression of starting from it? A back of the envelope calculation of the lunar diameter covered in the time quoted gives an approximate speed (at the lunar distance) of 80km/s or on the very high end of typical meteor streams that pass by. At closer distances, and recalculated velocities, it is unlikely to be a satellite in low Earth orbit (20m/sec at 100km distance), but could perhaps be a bird or insect at a few km range? So was this dark object something in our atmosphere by chance passing across the field of view close to the time of the TLP flare or was at the lunar distance and related to the TLP? Incidentally, no attempt was made during this observation to move the scope to check that the TLP remained stationary against the Moon. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-27 UT 02:13-02:32 Ill=60% Aristarchus observed by Foley_PW on 1988-2-25
On 1988 Feb 25 at UT20:00? P.W. Foley (Kent, UK, 12″ reflector) found that Aristarchus was very bright (especially in the UV end of the spectrum) despite other features not being seen in Earthshine. The cameron 2006 catalog ID=318 and the weight=1. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-27 UT 22:10-23:31 Ill=68% Aristarchus observed by Madej_P on 1984-12-31
Although the crater was on the night side, a small bright spot was seen. This was blue, almost UV, and equivalent to a star of magnitude 2. It flashed over intervals of about 30 seconds and changed in colour from UV to blue. The BAA Lunar Section TLP network was alerted. Mobberly and J.Cook did not see much although J. Cook may have seen something, but located else where? Cameron lists this as a confirmed? observation? The Cameron 2006 TLP xtension catalog has this TLP with an ID No. of 258 and a weight of 4. The ALPO/BAA weight is 2.
2015-Apr-28 UT 00:11-01:10 Ill=69% Plato observed by Moore_P on 1995-9-3
On 1995 Sep 03 at UR19:40-20:15 P. Moore (Selsey, UK, 15″ reflector at x400) observed that the floor of Plato was much darker than he would normally expect and futhermore no interior craterlets were seen. there was however a white patch that was barely visible at the location of the central craterlet should have been. G. North (UK) attempted to observe nut the Moon was too low and seeing terrible. F. Doherty reported Plato normal. Cameron 2006 catalog ID=475 and weight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-28 UT 00:33-02:24 Ill=69% Linne observed by Tacchini on 1868-7-28
Linne 1868 Jul 28 UT 20:00? Observed by Tacchini (Palermo, Italy) «Shadow not so marked-had a light penumbra, indicated a feeble cavity. Other craters had a black shad. On 29th appeared completely white. Crater normal on 26th. (letter to Madler Sep. 16, 1868).» NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #159.
2015-Apr-28 UT 00:40-02:17 Ill=69% Plato observed by Carle on 1952-2-5
On 1952 Feb 05 at UT 05:10 J.Carle (USA, 8″ reflector, x180) observed the following in Plato: «A shadow in a depression, or a cloud, or an optical illus.? Oval dark area nr. center, disappeared in 15m clear & prominenet at first then vanished. 4 of 14 spots nr. center continuously seen while remaining ones seen only momentarily. (seeing?) Drawing includes sketch on March 7. His sketch shows 18 spots, 13 same as here». The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=549 and the weight=2. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-28 UT 00:49-02:04 Ill=69% Tycho observed by Albert_J on 2010-8-19
On 2010 Aug 19 at UT 00:50-01:02 J.Albert (Lakeworth, FL, USA, C11, Transparency 3, Seeing 7-8, 86F and very humid. Oberver checking out repeat illumination condition appearence for Tycho concerning LTP #468 in the 1978 Cameron catalog. Did not see the effect from the original TLP report, but did see, immediately at looking at Tycho a very faint hint of redness in a pencil thin arc (< 1/4 circumference of the rim) confined to the top of the rim of the well-lit north east wall. Coloured arc similar in thickness to Rupes Recta, but not as sharply defined. The outer (E) edge was perhaps sharper than the inner edge. The redness was more on the inside of the top of the rim. The outside of the rim was bright white. This effect was seen in three different eyepieces, at 311x, 224x and 400x. Checked for the effect on other craters nearby but could not see this effect anywhere else. The colour had dissapeared by 01:02UT. The fade took about 1-2 minutes. Observation of Tycho continued until 01:06UT, but all seemed normal. Quick checks were made again on Tycho periodically until 02:50UT but the colour was not seen again. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
2015-Apr-28 UT 01:38-02:15 Ill=69% Mare_Humorum observed by Dixon_M on 1989-2-15
On 1989 Feb 15 at UT 03:15-03:30 M. Dixon (Palenque Ruins, Mexico, 7×35 binouculars) observed a point of light that was very bright in or near Mare Humorum. It was visible for 5 minutes then vanished. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=353 and weight=1. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-28 UT 01:41-03:20 Ill=69% Plato observed by Reese_EJ on 1949-3-9
Plato 1949 Mar 09 UT 02:00-03:00 E.J.Reese (6″ reflector x240) and one hour later T.R.Hake (5″ refractor x300) both unable to see any detail on the floor of Plato, despite both being able to see a «difficult to see» cleft near to the crater Connon. Reese was able to see detail under similar illumination back in 1948 and 1947 and saw the floor craterlets in Plato clearly then. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-28 UT 01:54-03:29 Ill=69% Copernicus observed by Firsoff on 1955-7-28 *
Copernicus 1955 Jul 28 UT 20:20 Observed by Firsoff (Somerset, England, 6.5″ reflector x200) «Great brilliance of the terraces in E(IAU?) wall system(?) gets specular refl. (he gave 0820UT, but must have meant 2020» NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog No. #600.
2015-Apr-28 UT 22:14-00:06 Ill=77% Proclus observed by Cook_MC on 1982-2-3
M.C. Cook (Frimley, UK) got an abnormally low brightness reading for Proclus, despite nearby Censorinus being normal. Crater Extinction Device used. The Cameron 2006 Extension catalog ID was 163 and the weight was 3. The ALPO/BAA weight was 2 too.
2015-Apr-29 UT 01:39-03:03 Ill=77% Plato observed by Davies_H on 1988-10-20
H. Davies (Llamandel, Swansea, (Scotland?), using a 3″ refractor, detected a short duration reddish hue along the inner NE-NW? rim (4-7 O’Clock location. Sketch supplied to Foley (BAA coordinator) No similar effect seen elsewhere. A.C. Cook (Frimley, UK) detected spurious colour on several craters, including Plato that night. Cameron 2006 Catalog Extension ID=337 and weight=0. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-29 UT 01:56-03:30 Ill=77% Mare_Crisium observed by Arsyukhin on 1981-6-12
Arsyukhin and others (Moscow, USSR), with naked eye and binouculars saw three dark spots suddenly appear on Mare Crisium and disappear approximately 30 minutes later. Cameron 2006 catalog extension ID=145 and catalog weight=4. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-29 UT 01:56-03:30 Ill=77% Plato observed by Arsyukhin on 1981-6-12
Arsyukhin and others (Moscow, USSR), with naked eye and binouculars saw TLP activity in Plato that Cameron thinks confirms what UK observers saw later. Cameron 2006 catalog extension ID=145 and catalog weight=4. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-29 UT 02:37-03:51 Ill=78% Alphonsus observed by Jenning on 1966-4-1
Alphonsus 1966 Apr 01 UTC(?) 03:00-03:20 Observed by Jenning, Harris (Coral Estates, CA, USA, 12″ reflector) «Red patch from c.p. to W. wall (no confirm. from Corralitos obs. moon blink device & obs. at that time)» NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #924.
2015-Apr-29 UT 03:28-04:25 Ill=78% Plato observed by North_G on 1980-7-22
On 1980 Jul 22 at UT20:08-21:50 G.North (Sussex, UK, 8″ reflector, x144 and x207, seeing III-V and transparency fair) suspected an obscuration on the north and north west wall. The effect came and went. May have been due to seeing and image contrast? Cameron 2006 catalog ID=101 and weight=1. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-29 UT 21:10-22:20 Ill=84% Gassendi observed by Cook_AC on 1977-9-23
Gassendi 1977 Sep 23 UTC 21:15 Observed by Cook (Frimley, England, 6″ reflector x144, Seeing IV (Antoniadi)) «Prominent red dot seen at central peak, also a hint of red on floor in N. quadrant of crater. More likely to be spurious colour than TLP the observer feels»
2015-Apr-29 UT 21:14-23:10 Ill=84% Plato observed by Mobberley_M on 1982-6-2
Mobberley could not see the central craterlet on the floor of Plato tonight. Foley notes that he could only just see the central craterlet on nights of 2-5th Jun and it was of reduced in brightness from normal. North reported that the floor seemed nearly black, but brighter in a green filter (x144 magnification used). All three observers compared the Plato area to other areas for reference. Cameron 2006 extension catalog ID 170 and weight=5. BAA/ALPO weight=3.
2015-Apr-29 UT 23:21-23:40 Ill=84% Torricelli_B observed by Cook_MC on 1983-4-23
A blue tinge was seen inside and outside the crater perimeter. The surrounding halo lost brightness that was observed on 1993 Jan 29. Observed on Apr 19, 20 and 28th. Cameron 2006 extension catalog ID=213 and weight=5. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
2015-Apr-29 UT 23:30-01:21 Ill=84% Gassendi observed by Cook_AC on 1978-8-14
Gassendi 1978 Aug 14 UTC 21:22-21:35 Observed by Cook (Frimley, England, 12″ reflector x240, Seeing V (Antoniadi), Moon blink used) «Blink reaction in filters seen in Gassendi. Spurious colour seen without Moonblink in Gassendi and elsewhere. Moon at -18 deg in Declination, hence very low and not suprised to see spurious colour!». ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-30 UT 00:12-02:09 Ill=85% Torricelli_B observed by North_G on 1990-1-7
On 1990 Jan 07 at UT 20:20-20:58 G.North (Herstmonceux, UK) thought that he detected dullness in Torricelli B crater – Cameron comments that this cannot be shadow). The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=386 and the weight=3. ALPO\/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-30 UT 04:10-05:20 Ill=85% Plato observed by Fauth on 1906-3-6
Plato 1906 Mar 06 UT 22:00? Observed by Fauth (Germany? 6″ refractor) «Color (brightness?) greatly enhanced as it was to be on the next nite» NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #324.
2015-Apr-30 UT 04:19-05:20 Ill=85% Swift observed by Wilkins_HP on 1927-5-12
Peice A (Swift=IAU name?) 1927 May 12 UT 22:03 Observed by Wilkins (England, 15″ reflector) «Complete obscuration of crater. Saw no trace of it. It was vis. May 11 & faint on May 13. 3x in 1948 Moore saw whole area misty gray & devoid of detail, whereas surroundings were sharp & clear. Birt also found it invis. at times in late 1800’s» NASA catalog weight=4. NASA catalog ID #394. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
2015-Apr-30 UT 04:22-05:20 Ill=85% Hyginus observed by Bradford on 1959-9-13
Near Hyginus 1959 Sep 13 UT Observed by Bradford (S.Shields, England, 15″? reflector), Feist, Lovas (Hungary), Moore, Wilkins (Kent, England, 7″ refractor, x500) «Obliterated by a hovering cloud (Feist disagrees). Budapest obs. saw a cloud at 21:02:30, lasting 5 m. Moore & Wilkins saw burst of light & dust cloud at 21:02:35 (confirm.) Drawing by Lovas.» NASA catalog weight=5 and catalog ID #722. The ALPO/BAA weight=4.
2015-Apr-30 UT 04:22-05:20 Ill=85% Littrow observed by Bradford on 1959-9-13
Littrow, 1959 Sep 13 UT Observed by Bradford (S.Shields, England, 15″? reflector), Feist, Lovas (Hungary), Moore, Wilkins (Kent, England, 7″ refractor, x500) «Obliterated by a hovering cloud (Feist disagrees). Budapest obs. saw a cloud at 21:02:30, lasting 5 m. Moore & Wilkins saw burst of light & dust cloud at 21:02:35 (confirm.) Drawing by Lovas.» NASA catalog weight=1 and catalog ID #722. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-30 UT 04:36-05:20 Ill=85% Aristarchus observed by Weier_D on 1990-1-8
On 1990 Jan 08 at UT00:55 D. Weier (Sun Praire, WI, USA, 12.5″ reflector, x159) observed an «anomalous black bar across Aris. Nearly digonal to terminator.» The nearby crater Prinz had curious shadow patterns, perhaps related to the rising sun projecting shadows from the eastern rim and «reflected down»? «At 0224 W wall had a break in it & a diffuse glow where it should not be. Manske thinks it was Earthshine effect. At 0305 Weier saw Manske’s bar – with diffused light and flicker like an aurora – like a gas with electric charge. At 0325 saw a strange glow in Aris. but may be due to atm. though thought it to be a LTP. Darling had never seen such effects before (flickering implies a medium in it).» The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=387 and the weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
2015-Apr-30 UT 21:09-21:19 Ill=90% Bailly observed by Miles_H on 1965-5-12
On 1965 May 12 at UT 22:20 H. Miles (UK) found a possible obscuration in Bailly crater. Most of the region was as sharp as normal, but the central area was greyish and blurred. Although the observer concerned considered themselves a non-experienced observer, another BAA Lunar Section observer saw the same effect. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-30 UT 21:09-23:59 Ill=90% Aristarchus observed by Baumeister on 1973-8-10 *
Aristarchus 1973 Aug 10 UTC 20:14 observed by Baumeister (48.63N, 9.25E, 110mm reflector, T=2, S=2) «Orange to red colours at the crater floor dissappeared until 21:04» – Hilbrecht and Kuveler, Earth, Moon & Planets, 30 (1984), p53-61. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
2015-Apr-30 UT 21:09-22:26 Ill=90% Vallis_Schroteri observed by Gray_R on 2004-11-24
Aristarchus Area 2004 Nov 22 UT 04:58-05:49 Observed by Gray (Winemucca, NV, USA, 152mm f/9 refractor, seeing 4-5, trasparency 4-5, x114, x228) «Blinked Herodotus with Wratten filters Blue 38A and Red 25. The illuminated west crater wall stood out brilliantly in blue light, much more so than in white light. This was true also of Aristarchus. Red light did not increase contrasts in Herodotus any more than they were in white light. Shadows in Herodotus appeared as black as the night west of the terminator and remained that way throughout the observing period. No TLP seen in Herodotus tonight. A possible TLP was seen to the west of Herodotus near the terminus of Schroters Valley. It was noted at the beginning of the observing period that there were four very bright spots of light, one near the end of Schroters Valley, the other three grouped together a little farther north. Although not far from the terminator they were definitely east of it. It was noted that all of them nearly vanished in the Blue 38A filter while Aristarchus and the rim of Herodotus gleamed brilliantly. At 5:19UT it was noted that the most brilliant of the four lights, the one near the terminus of Schroters Valley, had faded almost to invisibility in white light. When first seen it had been brighter than Aristarchus. It remained very dim after this through the remainder of the observing period, and was unchanged at 7:35-7:49UT when I again examined the area. The other three bright spots remained brilliant and unchanged.»
2015-Apr-30 UT 21:12-22:22 Ill=90% Aristarchus observed by Kidd_S on 2009-12-28
On 2009 Dec 28 at UT17:35 S. Kidd imaged a spot on the inner W rim of Aristarchus. However he thinks that it is an artifact of the software that he used to extract a sharp image out of the acquired video AVI file. The ALPO/BAA weight=1 until we have fully evaluated the situation.
2015-Apr-30 UT 21:15-23:59 Ill=90% Plato observed by Robinson_JH on 1973-8-10 *
Plato 1973 Aug 10 UT 22:45 observed by Robinson (Devon, UK). Observer noticed that the lighter areas on the floor were more distinct in red than in the blue filter. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-30 UT 22:42-23:59 Ill=91% Herodotus observed by Hill_H on 1966-11-24
Herodotus 1966 Nov 24 UT 21:50 H.Hill (UK, 7.25″ reflector, x240), seeing 4-6/10, transparancy 4/5) sketched a central white diffuse patch inside the floor of the crater, with a size of about 1/7th the diameter of the crater. The eastern edge of the white patch was encroached by the shadow of the eastern rim. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
2015-Apr-30 UT 22:59-23:59 Ill=91% Encke_B observed by Blanco_J on 1990-9-1
Blanco, J. Vidal, of Gijon, Spain (3″ refractor x72) noticed an unfamiliar very bright center near to Encke. Cameron suspects that this was Encke B crater on the basis that it is a prominent small crater near to Encke. Cameron 2006 catalog extension ID=410 and weight=2. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2015-Apr-30 UT 23:03-23:59 Ill=91% Proclus observed by Bartlett on 1976-9-6
Proclus 1976 Sep 06 UT 02:00 Observed by Bartlett (Baltimore, MD, USA, 4.5″ reflector 45-300x, S=3, T=5) «Nothing vis. on floor of 2deg brightness. Usually floor ray & Proc. A are vis. at this col. & c.p. is 5 deg bright. (must have been 2 deg tonite).» NASA catalog weight=4. NASA catalog ID #1450.
2015-Apr-30 UT 23:04-23:55 Ill=91% Torricelli_B observed by Cook_MC on 1983-4-24
All observers saw a blue tinge seen inside and outside the crater. Marshall observed a bright spot in the middle of the crater floor and thought perhaps that it was a central peak. No central peak can be found on Lunar Orbiter images. Cameron 2006 Catalog extension ID=214 and weight=5. ALPO/BAA weight=4.
2015-Apr-30 UT 23:30-23:51 Ill=91% Aristarchus observed by Budine on 1964-2-25
Cobra Head, Aristarchus 1964 Feb 25 UT 02:37-02:38, 02:39-02:42 Observed by Budine (Binghamton, New York, USA, 4″ refractor, x250, S=6, T=4) «Red flashes» NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID # 802.
