TYCHO Y ARISTARCHUS

Tycho, con sus 85 kilómetros de diámetro, es uno de los cráteres de impacto mejor preservados y el centro del más prominente sistema de rayos (formados por las eyecciones de material) de la superficie lunar, que se extienden hasta la increíble distancia de 1.800 kilómetros. Pero los rayos de Tycho, una postal lunar que todos conocemos, son visibles con Luna llena (desmintiendo la falsa idea de que con Luna llena no hay nada para ver), ya que con el Sol iluminando oblicuamente la superficie lunar, ya no vemos los rayos sino un abismo de casi 5000 metros de profundidad y sus picos centrales.

Aristarchus es tan brillante que suele ser el único accidente lunar visible en la luz cenicienta y sus rayos se extienden también por centenares de kilómetros.

Pero cuando el terminador pasa cerca de Aristarchus, lo que vemos se parece más a un profundo anfiteatro, un abismo de oscuridad en contraste con el intenso brillo en forma de arco que presenta una de las terrazas exteriores.

Los “Observadores Lunares” de la AEA ayudan a resolver el enigma de los Fenómenos Lunares Transitorios

La colaboración entre astrónomos profesionales y amateurs (PRO-AM) es de vital importancia para la resolución del gran enigma lunar: los fenómenos lunares transitorios (FLT). Estos esquivos y fugaces cambios en la superficie lunar pueden consistir en breves destellos de luz (que casi con certeza identificamos con impactos de meteoros), incrementos de brillo, oscurecimientos de detalles subyacentes, aparición de colores.

El problema subyacente es el de si existe o no actividad geológica en la Luna. La evidencia científica obtenida de las rocas traídas de la Luna y de los instrumentos de muestreo de la atmósfera lunar dejados por los astronautas del Proyecto Apolo, más la observación constante de nuestro satélite, demuestran que no existe actividad geológica. Pero también es cierto que existen cerca de tres mil informes de observación desde la Tierra, hechos por astrónomos aficionados y profesionales, de FLT que sugieren que la Luna tiene una ligera actividad geológica. De hecho, hay distintas hipótesis sobre fenómenos transitorios y naturales que pueden provocar los FLT: levitación electrostática del polvo, afloramientos de gas o hielo temporal.

El carácter elusivo y fugaz de los cambios anómalos que se observan en la Luna hace muy difícil la comprobación científica directa de alguno de ellos, no hay tiempo para que el observador logre una comprobación independiente por otro astrónomo. Pero hay otro método de acercarnos a una comprobación rigurosa.  Los que niegan los FLT sostienen que los cambios en la superficie lunar no son tales sino que se deben a las condiciones atmosféricas, problemas de óptica o incorrecta interpretación de la apariencia normal del accidente lunar observado. En buen criollo, el observador “no sabe como es la apariencia normal” del sitio observado y reporta como anómalo algo que es normal. Aquí entran las condiciones de iluminación y libración. Sabemos que los accidentes lunares presentan un aspecto muy variado de acuerdo a cómo incide la iluminación solar, a lo que ha que añadir los “estiramientos” de la superficie lunar por el movimiento de libración. Ambas condiciones hacen que cada observación lunar capte un momento casi único de un accidente determinado. Por ello, es muy fácil que cualquier observador tome como una anomalía (FLT) lo que no son más que las condiciones “extraordinarias” de luz y sombra del accidente en un momento dado, condiciones que no se han repetido para ningún otro observador pero que siguen siendo las normales de acuerdo a la iluminación solar y a la libración.

El camino elegido por el “Proyecto de Detección de Cambios Geológicos Lunares” de la Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO), la British Astronomical Association (BAA) y la University of Aberystwyth (Gales)  es el de verificar cómo es la apariencia normal de un área de la superficie lunar, en el mismo periodo de la lunación de la observación de un FLT histórico en las mismas condiciones de iluminación y libración.

El Programa, con el fin de ayudar a los observadores a planificar sus observaciones, mantiene dos páginas web en las que se detallan posibles horarios de observación para distintas ubicaciones geográficas (se incluyen nuevas localidades a pedido). Una web con observaciones prioritarias (por  tratarse de la verificación de los reportes más interesantes): http://users.aber.ac.uk/atc/lunar_schedule.htm  y una web en la que están listados todos los reportes históricos de FLT: http://users.aber.ac.uk/atc/tlp/tlp.htm . La traducción de ambas páginas web puede encontrarse en: https://observacionlunar.wordpress.com/cambios-geologicos-lunares/

¿Qué se hace con nuestras observaciones? Se compara nuestro reporte y/o imagen o video con el reporte de FLT histórico para comprobar si el evento reportado se ha repetido en la observación realizada en idénticas condiciones. De repetirse dicho evento, sería un indicio de que el mismo no es más que el reporte de una apariencia rara del accidente lunar observado (por iluminación solar y libración) pero que se repite cada vez que se dan las mismas condiciones. Si no se repite, sería un indicio a favor de la existencia del FLT. Por supuesto, una sola observación no es determinante, por lo que las observaciones sirven para revisar la gradación que al FLT se le ha asignado en los distintos catálogos existentes.

En palabras de Anthony Cook, director del proyecto: “Con el paso del tiempo iremos eliminando gradualmente los reportes de FLT menos confiables de nuestra lista y reajustando el valor observacional de otros. Está previsto publicar informes sobre los reportes históricos de FLT que hemos logrado eliminar y reconocer a los observadores que han contribuido al proceso de selección. Su contribución, por lo tanto, es muy valiosa para este proceso científico”.

Como muestra del trabajo del proyecto, incluimos dos observaciones realizadas por los Observadores Lunares de la Asociación Entrerriana de Astronomía (AEA) el 24 de octubre de 2015, que fueron incluidas en las ediciones de diciembre de 2015 de “The Lunar Observer” (ALPO) y “The Lunar Section Circular” (BAA). Ilustran acerca de cómo observaciones en idénticas condiciones de iluminación y libración pueden aumentar el grado de veracidad de un reporte de FLT o disminuirlo.

En el primer caso, una imagen del cráter Gassendi:

es tratada para encontrar lo que se había reportado: “todo el espectro de colores visibles en la zona montañosa central”:

Figure 2. Gassendi on 2015 Oct 24 UT 03:43 as imaged by Francisco Cardinalli and others (AEA). This image is orientated with north towards the top, and has been color normalised before undergoing a color saturation enhancement of 50%, and some sharpening. No attempthas been made to remove any spectral dispersion effects.

Gassendi: On 2015 Oct 24 UT 03:43 Francisco Cardinalli and others (AEA) imaged Gassendi under the same illumination conditions, to within ±0.5˚, to the following 1985 report:

On 1985 May 30 P.Madej (Huddersfield, UK, 77mm refractor, x111 and x250, seeing II-III, transparency good) whole spectrum of colors seen on the central peak area, visible in both eyepieces, and was more prominent at the higher magnification. Not aware if the observer checked for this effect on other terminator peaks? ALPO/BAA weight=1.- [REF – 34b]

You can see the color image that Francisco captured in Fig 2 – this is the normal appearance that Peter Madej should have seen in 1985. There is no sign of a spectrum of colors on the central peak that Peter Madej saw. I checked the altitude of the Moon and it was 28˚ above the horizon as seen from Huddersfield in the UK on the LTP date, so not exceptionally low.

Al no encontrarse colores en la imagen, la validación de este reporte de FLT se ve reforzada.

El caso contrario lo vemos en la observación realizada de Plato en el mismo día:

Las imágenes fueron saturadas y se pudo obtener el triángulo brumoso (“hazy”) que se había reportado como FLT y que no es más una coloración más clara en la zona suroeste del piso del cráter (izquierda y abajo en la imagen).

  

Plato: On 2014 Oct 24 Alberto Anunziato (and others at AEA) and Maurice Collins imaged this crater at 04:36 and 07:20 UT respectively, under the same illumination and topocentric libration conditions, to within ±1˚, to the following 1980’s report:

On 1981 Aug 11 at UT21:05-21:36 G. North (England, seeing=poor) detected, in green light, a darkening on the floor of Plato. This effect was not seen elsewhere. J-H Robinson (Teighmouth, Devon, UK) detected on the SSE rim (inner and beyond) a triangle that appeared hazy in a wide range of filters at 21:05UT. However at 21:36UT it was only hazy in green and blue light. No similar effect was seen elsewhere. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=150 and weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=3. – [REF 35]

Figure 3. Plato with north orientated towards the top. (Top Left) Color image from 2015 Oct 24 UT 04:36 as imaged by Alberto Anunziato and colleagues (AEA) taken with a 250 mm SCT, in white light with a Phillips SPC 9000 web camera. The seeing was 7 out of 10. The image has been sharpened slight, had its original color normalized, and then the color saturation was increased to 70%, saturation. (Top Right) Color image by Maurice Collins (ALPO) from 2015 Oct 24 UT 07:20 – this image has been color normalized and had its color saturation set at 60%. (Bottom Left) A sketch by Gerald North from 1981 Aug 11 made between 20:12 and 20:23UT. (Bottom Right) A sketch by Hedley J. Robinson from 1981 Aug 11, made sometime between 21:05 and 21:40 UT.

For comparison on the bottom of Fig 3, are a couple of sketches made during the night of the original LTP. The Gerald North sketch was made with a 460 mm Newtonian at x207, under III-IV seeing conditions, and the Hedley Robinson sketch was made with a 260 mm Newtonian at x200 under IV seeing conditions. The white patch on the floor of SW Plato is clearly visible in the top two images, the floor of Plato is generally darker than the mare, and the white triangle seen by Robinson in 1981 seems to correspond to a region outside the SE of Plato, albeit the geometry is poorly reflected in the original sketch. In view of the seeing conditions back in 1981, and the Moon’s low altitude (17˚ when observed by North, and lower still when observed by Robinson), and the normality of some of the features described in the original reports, I suspect that the weight of this LTP report will get demoted slightly when I find the time to do a full analysis on this in the new year.

Así, el evento reportado como FLT parece no ser más que el aspecto normal de Plato en las condiciones de observación pertinentes al momento de reportarse el FLT y al momento de las observaciones que sirvieron de verificación.

Cómo se puede apreciar, en la medida de que se vayan repitiendo observaciones en las mismas condiciones que las producidas al momento de reportarse eventos considerados FLT, podremos ir fijando un catálogo más preciso. Para ello se necesitan observadores de distintas locaciones geográficas, ya que al ser la Luna un objeto tan cercano, el lugar de observación también cuenta.

Y desde la Sección Lunar de la LIADA contamos con tu observación para poder ir resolviendo este enigma lunar.

DE PASEO POR SINUS IRIDUM

(Imagen y texto de Alberto Anunziato aparecidos en “The Lunar Observer” de diciembre/2015)

En el centro de la imagen observamos la Bahía de los Arcos Iris (Sinus Iridum), el accidente lunar más similar a una auténtica bahía y uno de los más atractivos de toda la superficie de nuestro satélite. El arco que delimita la bahía está formado por elevaciones pertenecientes a los Montes Jura. La luz solar marca un contraste entre las dos secciones de la Bahía, a partir del cráter Bianchini en el centro. La parte occidental (derecha de la imagen) muestra un arco iluminado que termina en el Promontorium Heraclides, también conocido como la “doncella de la Luna”, por la paraidolia con el perfil de una muchacha con abundante cabellera (formada por las colinas aterrazadas al este del promontorio). La parte oriental presenta sombras leves, que alcanzan su tono más oscuro en la sombra del Promontorium Laplace, el extremo oriental de Sinus Iridum. De un promontorio a otro hay 260 kilómetros. La curiosa forma de la bahía se debe a que es un cráter de impacto asteroidal parcialmente visible, posterior a la formación del vecino Mare Imbrium, cuya lava lo llenó parcialmente, borrando el arco superior y dejando visible sólo las paredes inferiores. Los cráteres que observamos en los Montes Jura presentan claras diferencias. Bianchini, Sharp y Mairan (de derecho a izquierda) presentan sombras oscuras y son más jovenes y profundos que La Condamine y Maupurtuis, los cráteres al oeste de Bianchini (en el centro de la bahía) se formaron antes del impacto que formó el Cráter Iridum (hoy parcialmente cubierto) y fueron parcialmente cubiertos por material eyectado por el impacto. La parte superior de la imagen muestra los puntos salientes de la parte norte del Mare Imbrium, más allá de la Sinus Iridum. Cerca del Promontorium Laplace están los Montes Recti, un remanente del anillo interior del circo Imbrium que pudo escaper a la inundación de lava que formó el Mare Imbrium. En este mare vemos, de izquierda a derecho los cráteres Le Verrier, Helicon, C. Herschel, Heis y Delisle. Y en algún sitio al oeste del Promontorium Heraclides está, inactive, el rover soviético Lunokhod 1, el primer vehículo planetario controlado remotamente.

I Encuentro de Astronomía Lunar

Ayer 7 de diciembre se llevó a cabo en el Observatorio de la Asociación Entrerriana de Astronomía (AEA), en Oro Verde, el I Encuentro de Astronomía Lunar, organizado en forma conjunta por la AEA y la LIADA (Liga Iberoamericana de Astronomía).

El público presente pudo escuchar dos conferencias:

“Introducción a los programas de observación lunar de la Asociación Entrerriana de Astronomía y Liga Iberoamericana de Astronomía” por el Coordinador de la Sección Lunar de la LIADA y de la Sección Lunar de la AEA, Alberto Anunziato. Se hizo un repaso de las posibilidades que para el astrónomo amateur ofrece la observación lunar, especialmente los programas que se están llevando a cabo: Programa de Áreas Seleccionadas y Programa de Detección de Cambios Geológicos Lunares.

 “Observación y Registro en Ocultaciones”, por el Presidente de la Liga Iberoamericana de Astronomía y Coordinador de las Secciones Cometas y Eclipses, Tránsitos y Ocultaciones de la LIADA., Luis Alberto Mansilla. Se resaltó el rol del astrónomo aficionado y se explicó las distintas técnicas de registro de ocultaciones de estrellas por la Luna y asteroides.

Fue una experiencia muy grata y un cierre de lujo para el año de inicio de la observación lunar sistemática en la LIADA y la AEA. Esperemos poder organizar pronto el “II Encuentro de Astronomía Lunar”.

I ENCUENTRO DE ASTRONOMÍA LUNAR

La Asociación Entrerriana de Astronomía (AEA) y la Liga Iberoamericana de Astronomía (LIADA) invitan al I Encuentro de Astronomía Lunar, a realizarse el 7 de diciembre de 2015 a las 18 hs. en el Observatorio de la AEA, Escuela Alberdi, Oro Verde:

LOS OBSERVADORES LUNARES DE LA ASOCIACIÓN ENTRERRIANA DE ASTRONOMÍA EN LOS NÚMEROS DE NOVIEMBRE DE “THE LUNAR OBSERVER” (ALPO) Y “LUNAR SECTION CIRCULAR” (BAA).

A pesar de tener una primavera de cielos casi siempre nublados, los observadores lunares de la Asociación Entrerriana de Astronomía logramos hacer observaciones que fueron incluidas en la edición de noviembre de “The lunar observer”, la revista de la Asociation of lunar and planetary observers” (ALPO).

Aparecimos en la sección bimestral “Focus On”, que hace un análisis de un accidente lunar en particular, esta vez el cráter Deslandres (pág.8).

También aparecimos en la Sección “Lunar Topographical Studies” (págs.14/15), con observaciones de Deslandres, Mare Nubium, Pallas y Plato (las imágenes de éstas dos últimos fueron incluidas entre las mejores fotografías).

En la sección del “Lunar Geological Change Detection Program” (pág.19) se informa que se utilizaron nuestras observaciones de Deslandres, Mare Crisium, Mare Nectaris, Plato, Proclus, Alphonsus, Copernicus, Aristarchus y Tycho. Se hizo especial referencia a la imagen que obtuvimos de Plato el 6-9-2015 y de cómo se utilizó para cotejar con un reporte de un Fenómeno Lunar Transitorio de 1916 (pág. 20).

En la sección de dedicada al “Lunar Geological Change Detection Program” de la “Lunar Section Circular” de la British Astronomical Asociation (BAA) se mencionan también nuestras observaciones incluidas en el programa de detección de cambios geológicos lunares (págs. 9 a 11).

Para quienes quieran leer ambas revistas:

The Lunar Observer (ALPO):

http://alpo-astronomy.org/ 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-Dhf119f9EwandkekxmQzZ6OFU/view?usp=sharing

The Lunar Section Circular (BAA):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-Dhf119f9EwbldfLWZjZmxJV3c/view?usp=sharing

OBSERVACIONES PARA EL PROGRAMA DE DETECCIÓN DE CAMBIOS LUNARES DEL 24-10-15

Desde el Observatorio de Oro Verde de la Asociación Entrerriana de Astronomía Francisco Alsina Cardinalli, Juan Manuel Biagi y Alberto Anunziato realizamos el día 24 de octubre de 2015 una serie de observaciones lunares con nuestro telescopio Meade LX 200 de 250 mm. y la Webcam Phillips SPC900NC a foco primario. Observamos Gassendi, Plato y Aristarchus para el programa de la British Astronomical Asociation (BAA) y la  Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) Lunar Geological Change Detection Program. Subimos las imágenes y los videos correspondientes a IMAPS Computing Support - Amateur Astronomy Outreach.

Gassendi:

Name and location of observer: Francisco Alsina Cardinalli (Oro Verde, Argentina).

Name of feature: Gassendi.

Date and time (UT) of observation: 10-24-2015: 03.43.

Size and type of telescope used: 250 mm. Schmidt-Cassegrain (Meade LX 200).

Filter (if used): Oxigen III Narrowband Filter-1.25 In.

Medium employed (for photos and electronic images): Phillips SPC900NC webcam

Seeing: 7/10.

Esta era la observación requerida:

2015-Oct-24 UT 01:58-03:43 Ill=84% Gassendi observed by Madej_P on 1985-5-30 

On 1985 May 30 P.Madej (Huddersfield, UK, 77mm refractor, x111 and x250, seeing II-III, transparency good) whole spectrum of colours seen on the central peak area, visible in both eyepieces, and was more prominent at the higher magnification. Not aware if the observer checked for this effects on other  terminator peaks? ALPO/BAA weight =1.

Plato:

Name and location of observer: Alberto Anunziato (Oro Verde, Argentina).

Name of feature: Plato.

Date and time (UT) of observation: 10-24-2015: 04.36.

Size and type of telescope used: 250 mm. Schmidt-Cassegrain (Meade LX 200).

Filter (if used): None.

Medium employed (for photos and electronic images): Phillips SPC900NC webcam

Seeing: 7/10.

Esta era la observación requerida:

2015-Oct-24 UT 04:27-06:39 Ill=84% Plato observed by North_G on 1981-8-11 *

On 1981 Aug 11 at UT21:05-21:36 G. North (England, seeing=poor) detected, in green light, a darkening on the floor of Plato. This     effect was not seen elsewhere. J-H Robinson (Teighmouth, Devon, UK) detected on the SSE rim (inner and beyond) a triangle that appeared hazy in a wide range of filters at 21:05UT. However at 21:36UT it was only hazy in green and blue light. No similar effect was seen      elsewhere. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=150 and weight=5. The LPO/BAA 

     weight=3.

Aristarchus:

Estas eran las observaciones requeridas:

2015-Oct-24 UT 01:38-03:23 Ill=83% Aristarchus observed by Moore_P on 1985-5-30 . On 1985 May 30 at UT 20:10-23:54 P.Moore (Selsey, UK, 15" reflector)  and at the same time Doherty (Sussex, UK, 15" reflector) observed a strangely bright and pink/red north rim of Aristarchus crater during UT20:20 and 20:36UT. The effect reduced between ~20:39 and 20:44UT.  M.C. Cook (Frimley, UK) found the northern wall to have a red/purple  colour but the effect vanished after 50 minutes. Cook also saw a "V"-    like notch in the NW crater shadow and this appeared to be bigger than  normal. G. North (Sussex, UK) saw a tinge of pink colour on the  northern rim and a bit later a "ruby red" colour on the north-west wall - again this effect lasted 50 minutes. Moseley verified the colour.  Finally M. Hather (Yorkshire, UK) suspected the north wall of  Aristarchus to be blue in colour. Cameron suspects that this TLP is not spurious colour because it is in the wrong place. The Cameron 2006   catalog ID=276 and the weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=4.

2015-Oct-24 UT 03:46-05:26 Ill=84% Aristarchus observed by Foley_PW on 1975-12-14

 Aristarchus 1975 Dec 14/15 UT 17:05-00:30 Observed by Foley (Dartford, England, 12" reflector, S=II) and Moore (Sessex,  England, 15" reflector x250 S=IV) and Argent and Brumder  (Sussex, England) "In early sunrise conditions, W. wall was less brilliant than usual -- matched only by Sharp, Bianchini, & Marian. Extraordinary detail could be seen on this wall. Also  noted intense & distinctly blue color entire length of W. wall. 3 others corroborated detail, but not color. Moore found things  normal & saw Aris. brightest at 2030-2125h tho Argent & Brumder

     made it < Proclus" NASA catalog weight=4. NASA catlog ID #1422.

     ALPO/BAA weight=1.

2015-Oct-24 UT 04:33-05:26 Ill=84% Aristarchus observed by Zeller_P on 2013-4-22

On 2013 Apr 22 UT 01:39-02:37 P. Zeller (Indianapollis, USA, 10" f/4 reflector, x200, seeing 6, Transparency 3 - scattered cirrus) observed visually (depicted in sketch) the two closely   spaced NW wall dark bands) to have a rusty-red hue. The colour of these bands did not change over the period of the observing session. Images were taken, but resolution and image S/N is not sufficient to resolve separate bands here, or to detect colour. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.

2015-Oct-24 UT 05:17-05:26 Ill=84% Aristarchus.

ALPO Request: On 2013 Apr 22 Paul Zellor noticed that the two closely spaced NW dark bands in Aristarchus had some (non-blue) color to them. Can we confirm his observation of natural colour here? Ideally you should be using a telescope of 10" aperture,or larger.

Pudimos observar Aristarchus de 01.30 a 01.55 (04.30 a 04.55 UT).

Las 3 primeras observaciones requeridas correspondían a http://users.aber.ac.uk/atc/tlp/tlp.htm, la última al Lunar Observing Schedule y era la más prioritaria. Nuestras observaciones cubrieron parte del horario correspondiente a la segunda y a la tercera, se realizaron con posterioridad al horario de la primera y no alcanzaron a cubrir el horario de la última, ya que las nubes cubrieron por completo Aristarchus a las 01.55, como quedó registrado en video. 

LOS RAYOS DE ARISTARCHUS

Obtenida desde el Observatorio de la Asociación Entrerriana de Astronomía el 6 de septiembre de 2014.
Reportada a la Asociation of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO), aparecida en el número de octubre/2015 de "The Lunar Observer".

DE PASEO POR PLATO CERCA DEL TERMINADOR

Durante la madrugada del domingo 6 de septiembre de 2015 (escuchando discos de Kraftwerk) observamos distintos accidentes lunares con el telescopio principal del Observatorio de Oro Verde de la Asociación Entrerriana de Astronomía, un Meade LX 200 de 250 mm, usando una webcam Phillips SPC900NC. La imagen corresponde al cráter Plato. El profundo, plano y oscuro fondo de este gigantesco cráter no permitió que observáramos los cinco pequeños cráteres que son uno de los desafíos de los observadores lunares. Las altas paredes de esta verdadera “llanura amurallada” muestran los signos de los derrumbes. En la pared occidental (a la derecha en la foto), observamos un bloque de 50 kilómetros cuadrados que se ha desprendido y deslizado hacia el fondo. Plato es famoso por las sombras que proyectan sus altas murallas. En la fotografía vemos como las sombras del terminador avanzan sobre las paredes del flanco occidental, que brillan reflejando la luz del Sol que se pone. La sombra que proyecta el pico más alto de la pared occidental (de 2000 metros de altura) puede observarse nítidamente. Las sombras en el interior de Plato son muy cambiantes, cada observación de ellas capta un momento único: “The appearance and orientation of the shadows within Plato are never the same from one lunation to the next because of the effects of libration and the change in the direction of illumination by the Sun that it causes” (“La apariencia y la orientación de las sombras en el interior de Plato nunca son las mismas de una lunación a la siguiente, debido a los efectos de la libración y el cambio de dirección de la iluminación solar que ocasiona”). (“The moon and how to observe it”, Peter Grego, Springer, 2005). En la parte inferior vemos el Mare Frigoris, los cráteres más prominentes son Plato A y Fontenelle. En el lado sur, en el Mare Imbrium, se observan puntos iluminados que son las cumbres más altas de los Montes Teneriffe. En el extremo superior izquierdo de la imagen, al suroeste, la ladera iluminada del Mons Pico brilla como un triángulo de luz. En la sombra, los puntos brillantes son las cimas de los Montes Alpes más cercanas.

Aparecido en "The Lunar Observer" del mes de octubre de 2015

ÚLTIMAS APARICIONES DE LA SECCIÓN LUNAR DE LA AEA EN “THE LUNAR OBSERVER (ALPO) Y “LUNAR SECTION CIRCULAR” (BAA)

La aparición de nuestras observaciones y fotografías lunares en la revista "The lunar observer" de la Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) se ha transformado en una reciente tradición. En los números de agosto y septiembre aparecieron fotografías de Francisco Alsina Cardinalli del cráter Dionysius. En el número de octubre aparecieron fotografías de Juan Manuel Biagi (Alphonsus y Copernicus), Francisco Alsina Cardinali (Deslandres, Aristarchus y Tycho) y Alberto Anunziato (Deslandres y Plato más un dibujo de Theophilus). Además, aparecimos en la Sección dedicada al Lunar Geological Change Detection Programa con la mención del video obtenido de Plato el 23 de agosto. Ese mismo video aparece mencionado también la sección dedicada al mismo programa en la "Lunar Section Circular" de la British Astronomical Association (BAA).

Los dejamos con una fotografía correspondiente a la sesión de observación del 6 de septiembre, el cráter es Copernicus:

LA LUZ CENICIENTA

Impúdicamente, descubrimos lo que la Luna no nos quiere mostrar. Como diría Felisberto Hernández: “No podía hacerme la idea de que yo admiraba un paisaje que no fuera de la Tierra y me parecía que aquel atrevimiento lo tendría que pagar con la locura”.

Se trata de la luz cenicienta (“earthshine”), la tenue luz que ilumina la parte de la Luna que no es bañada por la luz del Sol y que normalmente no vemos desde la Tierra. Es luz del Sol que se refleja en la superficie de nuestro planeta e ilumina la parte de la superficie lunar no expuesta a los rayos solares.

Es un fenómeno no muy fácil de atrapar fotográficamente, pero lo consiguió el miembro de nuestra AEA Juan Manuel Biagi en la prehistoria de nuestra Sección Lunar. Tenemos un gran archivo de fotografías y videos lunares sin procesar que de a poco iremos desempolvando y sacando del arcón, éste es el primero. Fue obtenida a las 5.59 del 21 de septiembre de 2014 a mano alzada, apoyando la cámara sobre el telescopio.

OBSERVACIÓN DEL CRÁTER PLATO EN BÚSQUEDA DE CONFIRMACIÓN DE REPORTE DE FENÓMENO LUNAR TRANSITORIO

SÁBADO 22 de agosto de 2015.

Desde el Observatorio de Oro Verde de la Asociación Entrerriana de Astronomía observamos el cráter Plato desde las 02.35 (UT) hasta las 03.21 (UT). Lo hicimos con la Webcam Phillips SPC900NC a foco primario. La observación fue realizada a pedido de la British Astronomical Asociation (BAA) y la  Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO), en el marco del programa Lunar Geological Change Detection Program.

Esta era la observación requerida:

2015-Aug-23 UT 02:40-03:15 Ill=52% Plato

BAA Request: It has been noticed that a bright craterlet can     appear very suddenly on the floor of Plato in between needle      like shadows, during local lunar sunrise. This happens in the

space of just a minute or so, and can look really quite dramatic.

This effect was first spotted by Brian Halls on 2014 Oct 31. Please send any high resolution images, detailed scetches, or visual descriptions to: a t c @ a b e r . a c. u k .

Desde el inicio y la finalización de la observación la Luna estuvo cubierta por nubes que permitían la observación pero en malas condiciones. Calculamos un seeing de 4 en escala 1-10, un II en la escala de Antoniadi.

Los integrantes de la Sección Lunar presentes en la observación (Alberto Anunziato, Francisco Alsina Cardinali, Camilo Satler) no pudimos observar ningún “pequeño cráter brillante” en la superficie de Plato. Pudimos sí observar como a medida que la luz del Sol avanzaba sobre el cráter (mitad en la oscuridad y mitad en la luz al inicio de la observación) empezaban a hacerse visibles los puntos más salientes del cráter antes en la oscuridad.

Reporte:

Name and location of observer: Francisco Alsina Cardinali, Camilo Satler, Alberto Anunziato (Oro Verde, Argentina).

Name of feature: Plato.

Date and time (UT) of observation: 08-23-2015-02.35 to 03:21.

Size and type of telescope used: 250 mm. Schmidt-Cassegrain (Meade LX 200).

Filter (if used): None.

Medium employed (for photos and electronic images): Phillips SPC900NC webcam

Seeing: 4/10.

El registro en video de la observación (de 02.40 a 03.21 UT) puede descargarse aquí:

https://mega.nz/#!bxxERawL!BwXb9Hrf545pt7wD95BO3kTiDaAikjoCyW_jUfLhyKs

NUESTRO PRIMER REPORTE A LA ALPO FUE PUBLICADO EN THE LUNAR OBSERVER

En el número de agosto de 2015 de la revista "The lunar observer", publicada por la Association of lunar and planetary observers" (ALPO) puede leerse, en la página 12, la mención a un reporte de un miembro de nuestra asociación (Francisco Alsina Cardinali). Se trata de una fotografía (1 toma única) del cráter Dionysius. 

LA REVISTA, AQUÍ: http://alpo-astronomy.org/ 

La ALPO había solicitado en números anteriores de "The lunar observer" realizar todas las observaciones posibles de ese cráter y específicamente entre las 0,10 y las 10.56 (en tiempo univeral) del día 5 de julio en el marco del "Lunar Geological Change Detection Program". Este programa busca compilar reportes de fenómenos lunares transitorios (FLT) nuevos y revisar reportes antiguos. 

Para la revisión de reportes antiguos se solicitan observaciones de un accidente lunar en las mismas condiciones de iluminación solar y libración que las que se dieron al momento del reporte del FLT. Esas condiciones sólo se dan desde determinadas coordenadas geográficas y en determinado horario. El análisis de la fotografía nueva puede dilucidar si se dan en la misma los mismos fenómenos reportados como FLT. Si se repiten en la nueva fotografía es probable que no sean un FLT sino que se deban a las condiciones de iluminación de la Luna en ese momento. Si no se observan los fenómenos (lo que parece haberse dado en nuestra observación de Dionysius) se suma una certeza sobre el reporte antiguo de FLT.  Esto quiere decir que nuestra observación tiene el valor de sumar un grano de historia a la ciencia astronómica, al permitir dicha verificación. Y más si solamente desde nuestra zona del continente y a la hora indicada se podía comprobar. Tal es el objetivo de la cooperación entre astronomía amateur y astronomía profesional: los amateurs colaboramos con la compilación de datos (si nuestras observaciones son de calidad) que usaran eventualmente los científicos.

Este reconocimiento efectuado por ALPO, la entidad de observadores planetarios y lunares más prestigiosa del mundo, en la biblia de los observadores lunares, como es "The lunar observer", fue una gran alegría para nuestra querida Asociación Entrerriana de Astronomía y un incentivo para seguir con la observación lunar.

Aquí va nuestro reporte:
Name and location of observer: Francisco Alsina Cardinali (Oro Verde, Argentina).
Name of feature: Dionysius.
Date and time (UT) of observation: 07-05-2015-07.20.
Size and type of telescope used: 250 mm. Schmidt-Cassegrain (Meade LX 200).
Magnification (for sketches): 106 x (Via Telextender).
Filter (if used) : None.
Medium employed (for photos and electronic images) : Eos Digital Rebel XS.

Y aquí la foto del cráter Dyonisius, en la madrugada del 5 de julio de 2015, con una luna iluminada en un 88% (furiosa Luna llena), lo que no ayuda precisamente a la claridad de la imagen.´

FENÓMENOS LUNARES TRANSITORIOS A CONFIRMAR. 30 Y 31 DE MAYO

Amigos Lunáticos:

He aquí una lista de accidentes lunares que podremos observar durante el sábado y el domingo en las mismas condiciones que se dieron en pasados reportes de fenómenos lunares transitorios. Las observaciones permiten registrar si lo que se observó se repite (lo que seguramente indicaría que no estamos en presencia de un FLT sino de un fenómeno producido por las condiciones de iluminación de la superficie) o no se repite (indicio de un FLT).

Recuerden que a los horarios en UT hay que descontarles 3 horas para tener el  horario argentino.

Selección para telescopios de aficionado.

Fuente: http://users.aber.ac.uk/atc/tlp/Buenos_Aires.htm

30 de mayo:

Mancha roja en Timocharis:

2015-May-30 UT 00:37-02:25 Ill=87% Timocharis observed by Firsoff on 1954-10-8. Observed by Firsoff (Somerset, England, 6.5" reflector? x240) "Red glow." NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #573.

Manchas circulares en Aristarco:

2015-May-30 UT 00:38-02:26 Ill=87% Aristarchus observed by Grego_P on 1987-1-11. On 1987 Jan 11 at UT 18:15-23:00 P. Grego (Birmingham, UK, 6" reflector, seeing=III) sketched Aristarchus crater and saw two luminous circular patches on the exterior west wall - these were less bright than the inner wall but brighter than the outer wall. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=292 and weight=5.

Oscurecimiento en Plato:

2015-May-30 UT 00:38-02:26 Ill=87% Plato observed by Moore_P on 1987-1-11.    On 1987 Jan 11 at UT P. Moore (Sussex, UK) found the the floor of Plato was much more drk than the adjacent Mare Imbrium. Furthemore there was a blurring of detail over the northeast wall and onto the nearby floor. Detail elsewhere in the crater was OK. By 23:00UT there was less lack of detail effects. M. Cook (Frimley, UK) at 21:55UT noted the obscured area but decided that it was narrower than the same effect one month ago and suspected that she may have been observing towards the end of  this TLP. The effect gradually dimmed between 21:55 and 22:45UT. Other    craters were normal. G. North was affected by poor seeing conditions. Davies detected a slight obscurtion on the north east corner - it was a misty gray feature at x200. The Cameron 2006 catalog extension ID was  292 and the weight was 5. Tha ALPO/BAA weight was 4.

Mancha oscura en Gassendi:

2015-May-30 UT 00:48-02:42 Ill=87% Gassendi observed by Unknown_Observer on 1889-5-11. n 1889 May 11 at 22:00? UT an unknown observer saw an ink black spot      on the rampart of Gassendi. It had not been seen before ar at the next lunation or indeed ever again. Cameron 1978 catalog ID=261 and wight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=2.

Oscurecimiento del suelo del cráter Proclus:

2015-May-30 UT 03:09-04:55 Ill=87% Proclus observed by Bartlett on 1970-10-12. Proclus 1970 Oct 12 UT 00:54 Observed by Bartlett (Baltimore, MD, USA, 4" reflector, 51x-181x) "Floor darkened to intensity 1.5 deg (albedo) & c.p. became invis. Next day c.p. reappared & was 5 deg bright & 6deg bright on 15th" NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #1277.

Mancha luminosa, como un pico, en las sombras del cráter Herodoto:

2015-May-30 UT 03:32-05:29 Ill=87% Herodotus observed by Bartlett on 1957-9-6. Observed by Bartlett (Baltimore, MD, USA, 5" reflector x180, S=1-5,T=5) Pseudo peak visible within floor shadow at 03:10h" NASA catalog  weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #671. ALPO/BAA weight=3.

Oscurecimiento en Herodoto:

2015-May-30 UT 03:54-05:48 Ill=87% Herodotus observed by Haas_W on 2002-2-24. On 2002 Feb 24 UT 05:15-05:35 W. Haas (Las Cruces, NM, USA) observed an     obscuration in Herodotus - the shadown was, almost, but not completely black. ALPO/BAA weight=2.

Mancha luminosa en Schickard:

2015-May-30 UT 04:13-05:54 Ill=87% Schickard observed by Watkins_E on 1972-9-19. Schickard 1972 Sep 19 UT 19:45-20:25, 20:00-23:30 Observed by Watkins    (Herts., Eng. 4.5" reflector, x225, S=G) Amery (Reading, Eng.m 12" reflector?), Fitton (Lancashire, Emg., 8.5" reflector) and Moore (Selsey, Eng., 12.5" reflector?, 4.5" refractor 45-225x, S=P) "Luminous, nebulous spot attracted Watkin's att'n. Got brighter.  Checked 'scope--not instru. Obj. had greenish-gray color, size @ 15km.      Amery & Fitton with blink devices noted nothing unusual at later times (2000-2330h). Aris., Plato, Gass. were neg. at 1930-2025h (date not given, guessed at fr. available info.). Turbulence, lasting secs. at a time." NASA catalog weight=2. NASA catalog ID #     1344. ALPO/BAA weight=2.

Una neblina sospechosa en Mons Pico:

2015-May-30 UT 05:40-05:54 Ill=88% Mons_Pico observed by Rawstron on 1933-10-1. On 1933 oct 01 at UT 03:00 Rawstron (USA, 4" refractor, x330) observed      the following in Mons Pico B: "Haze -- much narrower & elongated than  on Sep. 1". The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=407 and weight=3. The ALPO/BAA  weight=2.

Una raya luminosa y pasajera en Aristarco:

2015-May-30 UT 22:17-00:10 Ill=92% Aristarchus observed by Johnson on 1937-9-17. Johnson, of Des Moines, Iowa, USA, using a 7" reflector and an 8" refractor, saw a bight streak. The observer looked later, but it was no longer visible. Cameron thinks that it might have been a reflection from the wall. Cameron 1978 catalog ID=423 and weight=1. ALPO/BAA  weight=1.

31 de mayo:

Un raro fenómeno en Plato:

2015-May-31 UT 03:19-07:13 Ill=93% Plato observed by Moore_P on 1984-2-14.     On 1984 Feb 14 P. Moore (Selsey, UK) observed that Plato was darker than the nearby mare and no detail could be seen on the floor or the  eastern wall - the later was obscured. At 23:40UT some dimming was still present on the north east wall and still no detail on the floor  of Plato. Cook noticed that the eastern floor close to the wall was   misty and also noted no detail on the floor. Amery though noted that all parts of the floor were sharp although some darkening was visible  in the north west and a hint of obscurtion. The east wall though was  quite sharp. Mosely could see the central craterlet but from 8-6  o'clock tricky to define (Foley says that this effect has been seen at this colongitude before). Streak ray across the floor of Plato seen      (North) - filter measurements made. Cameron 2006 catalog extension ID= 241 and weight=5. ALPO/BAA weight=2.

Oscurecimiento de Gassendi:

2015-May-31 UT 04:09-05:52 Ill=93% Gassendi observed by Robinson_JH on 1977-5-30. On 1977 May 30 at 21:04-02:13UT J.H.-Robinson noted a loss of  detail inside Gassendi, however he did not regard this as a TLP. The effect was also seen by P.W. Foley. Cameron 2006 extension catalog TLP ID=16 and weight=0 ALPO/BAA weight=1.

Aumento de brillo en Aristarco:

2015-May-31 UT 05:01-06:49 Ill=93% Aristarchus observed by Louderback_D on 1988-1-2. On 1988 Jan 02 at 06:41-07:08 UT D. Louderback (South Bend, WA, USA,  using a 8" reflector, seeing 4 out of 10) observed that at 06:56 UT      Aristarchus floor (point F) brightened rapidly from an intensity of 5.2  to 6, however at 07:08 UT the spot returned to normal. He also noticed  that the bands on the walls varied every few minutes. A mist like appearance was seen on the floor of Aristarchus. Through a red filter he could see through the haze, but floor detail could not be seen  through a blue filter. Cameron 2006 extension catalog ID=316 and     weight=4. ALPO/BAA weight=3.

Una anomalía luminosa en Daniell:

2015-May-31 UT 22:12-23:59 Ill=97% Daniell observed by Unknown_Observer on 1982-3-8. Unknown observer. A colour and brightness anomaly was seen a TLP      alert was put out. Cameron 2006 catalog extension weight=165 and weight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=2.

FENÓMENOS LUNARES TRANSITORIOS A CONFIRMAR EN ABRIL

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 (http://astroentrerios.com.ar/web/page/197/?option=com_content&task=view&id=471&Itemid=81 ).

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 prominent 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, 7x35 

     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.