Face of Albategnius: you can see the profile of a face in a shadow
from the eastern edge of this crater - this is a Clair-Obscur effect.
Clair-Obscur have no scientific importance and are just tricks of the
light that make us think we see something like a letter of the alphabet
or a shape or face. Clair-Obscur effects are scientifically pointless
to observe. However, if you want to be thrilled, or obtain an image to
impress someone then give them a go. If you do observe, or image this,
by all means send your observation into ALPO or the BAA, but we
probably won't publish, but will nevertheless retain in our archives,
just in case features elsewhere in the image are of interest to
future researchers.
Monte Caucasus: "shadow face" silhouette Clair-Obscur effect.
Clair-Obscur effects have no scientific importance just tricks
of the light that make us think we see something like
a letter of the alphabet or a shape or face. Clair-Obscur
effects are scientifically useless to observe. However, if
you want to be thrilled, or obtain an image to impress someone
then give them a go. This effect on the southern end of Montes
Caucuses looks like the side silhouette of a cartoon human face.
We are still slightly undertain about the precise colongitude
range, so if you do not see the face, try again later. If you
do observe, or image this, by all means send your observation
into ALPO or the BAA, but we probably won't publish, but will
nevertheless retain in our archives, just in case features
elsewhere in the image are of interest to future researchers.
Note that we have some uncertainty in the colongitude range
- so if you don't see it, please tells us the date and UT so
we can make some improvements in the predictions.
These can only be observed using low-light level cameras running at 25 frames per sec,
or faster, and capable of recording 9th or 10th magnitude stars in real time.
Dates/UTs of observing runs, or detections of impacts, should be emailed to:
ALPO - email: c u d n i k @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t
BAA - email: a t c @ a b e r . a c . u k
UAI - email: a m . 5 4 8 5 2 @ g m a i l . c o m
Eyes of Clavius: you can see this crater with two eyes, Clavius C and
Clavius D - this is a Clair-Obscur effect. Clair-Obscur have no
scientific importance and are just tricks of the light that make
us think we see something like a letter of the alphabet
or a shape or face. Clair-Obscur effects are scientifically pointless
to observe. However, if you want to be thrilled, or obtain an image to
impress someone then give them a go. If you do observe, or image this,
by all means send your observation into ALPO or the BAA, but we
probably won't publish, but will nevertheless retain in our archives,
just in case features elsewhere in the image are of interest to
future researchers.
ALPO Request: This request comes about because of two
observations. Firstly on 2009 Nov 25 Paul Abel and others
detected some colour on the inner west illumntated slopes of
this crater. No similar colour existed elsewhere. On 2012 Aug
25 Charles Galdies imaged this crater and detected a similar
colour, approximately in the same location, though he also
imaged colour elsewhere. It is important to replicate this
observation to see if it was natural surface colour,
atmospheric spectral dispersion, or some effect in the camera
that Charles was using, namely a Philips SPC 900NC camera.
The minimum sized telescope to be used would ideally a 8"
reflector. Please send any high resolution images, detailed
sketches, or visual descriptions to:
a t c @ a b e r . a c. u k .
"Jewelled Handle": in Montes Jura - this is a Clair-Obscur effect. Its
an illuminated arc. Clair-Obscur have no scientific importance and are
just tricks of the light that make us think we see something like a
letter of the alphabet or a shape or face. Clair-Obscur effects are
scientifically pointless to observe. However, if you want to be
thrilled, or obtain an image to impress someone then give them a go.
If you do observe, or image this, by all means send your observation
into ALPO or the BAA, but we probably won't publish, but will
nevertheless retain in our archives, just in case features elsewhere
in the image are of interest to future researchers.
Cassini's Moon Maiden at Promontorium Heraclides - this is a Clair-Obscur effect.
Clair-Obscur have no scientific importance and are just tricks of the
light that make us think we see something like a letter of the alphabet
or a shape or face. Clair-Obscur effects are scientifically pointless
to observe. However, if you want to be thrilled, or obtain an image to
impress someone then give them a go. If you do observe, or image this,
by all means send your observation into ALPO or the BAA, but we
probably won't publish, but will nevertheless retain in our archives,
just in case features elsewhere in the image are of interest to
future researchers.
BAA Request: Aristarchus area - We are trying to explain an
observation from Meudon Observatory in France made in 1881 of
a bright rope-like effect seen in the vicinity of this crater.
Please send any images to: a t c @ a b e r . a c. u k .
BAA Request: Two observers have reported colour on the rim
around this colongitude, once in 1938, and again in 2013. Please
take a look and report what you see, and where on the rim.
Please send any high resolution images, detailed sketches, or
visual descriptions to: a t c @ a b e r . a c. u k .
BAA Request: On 2012 Jan 09 UT 21:01-21:08 Hahn crater was
imaged by Nick Hazel (Beverley, Yorkshire, UK, Nikon D7000 with
70-300 zoom at max, with 2x teleconverter, at f9, 1/320 sec, ISO
400 – tripod mounted, mirror up), A series of images were taken.
The 21:06 one showed a grey column cutting across the central
floor of the crater from the west and then bisecting the eastern
rim. All detail inside is completely invisble. Some (but not
all) of the other images showed a more blurred view of this
feature. It is possible that this was a seeing ripple effect, or
just the natural appearance of shadings on the Moon at this
time, however we would like to capture images of this area to be
sure. Small aperture telescopes or telephoto lens similar to
Nick's can be used. Try switching the tracking off to see what
effect motion blur has during the exposure - to see4 if this
replicates the effect. Please send any images you take to:
a t c @ a b e r . a c . u k
BAA Request: Tycho. We are trying to replicate, using
modern day images, a sketch in Plate X in BAA The Moon
from published: 1950 Jun Vol 1, No. 1. It is for a sketch made
by H.P. Wilkins from 1949 Jun 05. The original sketch was
made with an 12" telescope. Please send any images to:
a t c @ a b e r . a c. u k .
BAA Request: Do the appearance of the bands on the crater rim
vary (blur) in appearance over time? Compare them to bands in
other craters e.g. Herodotus, Kepler, Copernicus. If you do
see any variations in sharpness, see how it relates to
atmospheric seeing condtions. All images or sketches should
be emailed to:
a t c @ a b e r . a c. u k
BAA Request: Cyrillus. There is a small white craterlet just
north of the three central peaks. We are interested to receive
high resolution images of this in order to find out at what
selenographic colongitude, in the lunar evening, that it loses
it's white spot appearence. Please use scopes largher than 6
inches in diameter.
Please email these to: a t c @ a b e r . a c . u k
These can only be observed using low-light level cameras running at 25 frames per sec,
or faster, and capable of recording 9th or 10th magnitude stars in real time.
Dates/UTs of observing runs, or detections of impacts, should be emailed to:
ALPO - email: c u d n i k @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t
BAA - email: a t c @ a b e r . a c . u k
UAI - email: a m . 5 4 8 5 2 @ g m a i l . c o m
BAA Request: Its around this Co-Longitude that some observers
have reported seeing an Ashen Light effect on the shadowed floor
of Plato, caused by scattered light off of an illuminated peak
on the rim. Please have a go either visually, or with long
exposure time lapse imagery to see if you can pick up the
development of this weak illumination effect on the floor.
Please send any sketches or images to:
a t c @ a b e r . a c. u k .
These can only be observed using low-light level cameras running at 25 frames per sec,
or faster, and capable of recording 9th or 10th magnitude stars in real time.
Dates/UTs of observing runs, or detections of impacts, should be emailed to:
ALPO - email: c u d n i k @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t
BAA - email: a t c @ a b e r . a c . u k
UAI - email: a m . 5 4 8 5 2 @ g m a i l . c o m
These can only be observed using low-light level cameras running at 25 frames per sec,
or faster, and capable of recording 9th or 10th magnitude stars in real time.
Dates/UTs of observing runs, or detections of impacts, should be emailed to:
ALPO - email: c u d n i k @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t
BAA - email: a t c @ a b e r . a c . u k
UAI - email: a m . 5 4 8 5 2 @ g m a i l . c o m
These can only be observed using low-light level cameras running at 25 frames per sec,
or faster, and capable of recording 9th or 10th magnitude stars in real time.
Dates/UTs of observing runs, or detections of impacts, should be emailed to:
ALPO - email: c u d n i k @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t
BAA - email: a t c @ a b e r . a c . u k
UAI - email: a m . 5 4 8 5 2 @ g m a i l . c o m
These can only be observed using low-light level cameras running at 25 frames per sec,
or faster, and capable of recording 9th or 10th magnitude stars in real time.
Dates/UTs of observing runs, or detections of impacts, should be emailed to:
ALPO - email: c u d n i k @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t
BAA - email: a t c @ a b e r . a c . u k
UAI - email: a m . 5 4 8 5 2 @ g m a i l . c o m
BAA Request: On 2013 Feb 17 UAI observer: Giuseppe Macalli
observed visually an orange cloud form just to the west of
Picard crater, and then dissappear. The effect lasted about 1
minute. Obviously we are not likely to see whatever this was
(?) again under similar illumination, but just for the record
it would be useful to have a high resolution monochrome or
colour image of this area, at the requested observing
time.N.B. an image in the 2018 Jun LSC suggests that the date
given of 2013 Feb 17 may have been Feb 18? Please send any
high resolution images to: a t c @ a b e r . a c. u k .
These can only be observed using low-light level cameras running at 25 frames per sec,
or faster, and capable of recording 9th or 10th magnitude stars in real time.
Dates/UTs of observing runs, or detections of impacts, should be emailed to:
ALPO - email: c u d n i k @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t
BAA - email: a t c @ a b e r . a c . u k
UAI - email: a m . 5 4 8 5 2 @ g m a i l . c o m
These can only be observed using low-light level cameras running at 25 frames per sec,
or faster, and capable of recording 9th or 10th magnitude stars in real time.
Dates/UTs of observing runs, or detections of impacts, should be emailed to:
ALPO - email: c u d n i k @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t
BAA - email: a t c @ a b e r . a c . u k
UAI - email: a m . 5 4 8 5 2 @ g m a i l . c o m
These can only be observed using low-light level cameras running at 25 frames per sec,
or faster, and capable of recording 9th or 10th magnitude stars in real time.
Dates/UTs of observing runs, or detections of impacts, should be emailed to:
ALPO - email: c u d n i k @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t
BAA - email: a t c @ a b e r . a c . u k
UAI - email: a m . 5 4 8 5 2 @ g m a i l . c o m
These can only be observed using low-light level cameras running at 25 frames per sec,
or faster, and capable of recording 9th or 10th magnitude stars in real time.
Dates/UTs of observing runs, or detections of impacts, should be emailed to:
ALPO - email: c u d n i k @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t
BAA - email: a t c @ a b e r . a c . u k
UAI - email: a m . 5 4 8 5 2 @ g m a i l . c o m
Werner: an "X" on the Moon - this is a Clair-Obscur effect.
Clair-Obscur have no scientific importance and are just tricks of the
light that make us think we see something like a letter of the alphabet
or a shape or face. Clair-Obscur effects are scientifically pointless
to observe. However, if you want to be thrilled, or obtain an image to
impress someone then give them a go. If you do observe, or image this,
by all means send your observation into ALPO or the BAA, but we
probably won't publish, but will nevertheless retain in our archives,
just in case features elsewhere in the image are of interest to
future researchers.
These can only be observed using low-light level cameras running at 25 frames per sec,
or faster, and capable of recording 9th or 10th magnitude stars in real time.
Dates/UTs of observing runs, or detections of impacts, should be emailed to:
ALPO - email: c u d n i k @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t
BAA - email: a t c @ a b e r . a c . u k
UAI - email: a m . 5 4 8 5 2 @ g m a i l . c o m
SLA Request: Deluc H. On 2019 Oct 06 Alberto Anunziato
observed an rapid change in appearance (few tens of minutes)
in relation to west rim - presumably an illumination effect.
Please submit any sketches or images of this crater to me and
it will be passed onto the SLA. Please email these to:
a t c @ a b e r . a c. u k
These can only be observed using low-light level cameras running at 25 frames per sec,
or faster, and capable of recording 9th or 10th magnitude stars in real time.
Dates/UTs of observing runs, or detections of impacts, should be emailed to:
ALPO - email: c u d n i k @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t
BAA - email: a t c @ a b e r . a c . u k
UAI - email: a m . 5 4 8 5 2 @ g m a i l . c o m
Apollo 15: This is what the lunar surface would have looked like
when Apollo 15 touched down on the Moon. Aim for the area
of Rima Hadley. The illumination and the shadows are
exactly the same. There is no scientific value in imaging
this, but from the nostalgic point of view it might be interesting
to observe. Feel free to send your observation in to the BAA or
ALPO and we will put it in our archives, but as we have
a lot of these images already, we may not publish it, unless it is
exceptionally high in resolution. Minimum diameter scope to use
would be 20cm, but larger apertures are preferred:
BAA Request: It has been noticed that a bright carterlet 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 .