BAA Request: Mare Humboldtianum. We are trying to replicate,
using modern day images, a sketch in Plate I in BAA The Moon
from published: 1950 Jun Vol 1, No. 1. Its for a sketch by
K.W. Aboneri from 1949 Sep 7. Please send any images to:
a t c @ a b e r . a c. u k .
ALPO Request: Please supply images, or sketches, of this area,
especially covering the area to the east. Any size scope can be
used for this study. All observations should be emailed 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: On 2011 Jan 21 Nigel Longshaw suspected the
eastern side of Geminus (on the border of the crater filled
shadow and the eastern illuminated rim) had a colouration to
it. This extended for a short distance from the floor shadow
into the illuminated rim width and spanned from the north to
the south of the crater. For a comparison, Cleomedes was
checked but nothing unusual was noticed in its shadow. The
observer notes that Elger also saw colour here too. Its
probable that some natural surface colouration was observed,
but this needs to be checked out? Telescopes of aperture 4"
or larger are needed to observe this effect. If you have a
refractor, then try using this, otherwise a reflector will do
just as well. Please send any sketches, images, or visual
descriptions 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
Imaging the western hemisphere during Artemis II:
Please image some features on the Moon near the western limb as the
Artemis II mission will be capturing images of the western hemisphere
and especially the western limb the closer it gets to the Moon. Images
can be in colour or monochrome. Note that this maybe during your local
day time, in which case use a monochrome camera and a red
or near IR filter to reduce scattered light from the sky. To find
out what part of the Moon Artemis II is seeing look at
https://www.nasa.gov/ and click on "Live Views from Orion" OR
use the interactive web tool:
https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis-ii/arow/ and click on
the small disk (the Moon) on the bottom left
Update 5/4/2026 - we have heard that astronauts will be looking at
Glushko crater from 21:10-21:18UT and then the Mare Orientale region
from 21:18-21:34UT, so try to image the limb region towards these at
these times. Alas I don't have other craters on the nearside to give
you at the moment unless a more detailed list becomes available. Its
possible that their observing times may vary slightly as they may
want to look at certain features for longer. They will lose contact
with Earth at 22:47UT i.e. behind the Moon. For observers in the
northern hemisphere, expect the Moon to be very low down in the
sky. Southern hemisphere observers will gain a better view. From the
north Americas unfortunately it won't be visible.
Earthshine during Artemis II:
Please video the east/north eastern area of the Moon
on the night side. We are trying to look for impact
flashes at the same time the Artemis II crew are looking
for impact flashes. Its unlikely that earthshine will
be visible but try to max out the gain even if it means
the terminator is a bit saturated. If it helps to reduce
the glare try a red or near IR filter. A 12 or 16 bit
camera may offer some advantages in that the dynamic
range can cope with both the day and night side. Frames
rates of at least 15 fs are needed. Do not attempt to
use impact flash detection software to detect flashes
as all of these will produce false flashes from sunlit
mountain peaks scintillating in atmospheric seeing. It
maybe better to wait to hear when astronauts say they
have seen flashes and check the video at that specific
UTC. Alternatively try playing the video at 5 frames
per sec and look for flashes manually - we can check
for these and rule them out using other peoples video
taken at the same time. Most will be cosmic rays. Please
register with https://lif.mi.imati.cnr.it and upload
your observations here. If you find that the observing
window is in daylight, where you are, then you won't
be able to see any earthshine. So instead suggest that
you either take monochrome or colour images of the
east / north eastern day side of the Moon, that
the astronauts will see after emerging from the far
side, or you can try using a monochrome camera with a
red or infrared filter, and increasing the gain until
the dayside is just saturated, and video the night
side on the north east & east area. You will not have
the same sensitivity as astronomers who are observing
at night in other parts of the world but its better
than nothing and were there to be an especially bright
flash (unlikely) then you might just detect it. To
find out what part of the Moon Artemis II is seeing look at
https://www.nasa.gov/ and click on "Live Views from
Orion" OR use the interactive web tool:
https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis-ii/arow/ and
click on the small disk (the Moon) on the bottom
left. Just out of interest Artemis will be
seeing Earthrise at 23:27UT in case you want to
photograph the Moon at this times as they are
photographing the Earth. Some have asked how to calibrate
the camera so that magnitudes of any flashes can be
determined. Try capturing video of mag 2.7 star Tau Scorpi
which will be quite far off the eastern limb of the Moon
before and after the observing session. You can also try
for some of the brighter stars in nearby globular clusters
M4 & M19 but these will be a challenge in view of the
glare from the Moon.
ALPO Request: Colour imagery or visual skecthes needed of this
crater. Can you see or detect any colour on the rim? If
imaging, make sure you do not over expose the rim. Use a
reflector or SCT telescope. Minimum aperture allowed: 6". All
images should be sent to me on the email adrress below,
whether or not you were successful in capturing the central
peak: 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
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
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
ALPO Request: On 2012 Feb 28 Raffaello Braga noted that only the
tip of the central peak was visible. Most of the crater was in
darkness - this was normal at this stage in illumination. When
viewed through a red filter, the central peak was visble, but
however when viewed through a blue filter it was invisible.
Please try to observe this crater visually with red and blue
filters, to see if you can replicate this effect? If so then
check for similar effects on other craters on the terminator.
Otherwise try to obtain some high resolution colour images. This
work is suitable for telescopes of 4" aperture or larger - if
you have a choice of a efractor or a reflector, please try the
refractor. Please send any observations you make 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 11: This is what Mare Tranquillitatis would have looked
like on the night that Apollo 11's Neil Armstrong made the first
footprint on the lunar surface. Aim for the area north of Moltke
crater. 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:
Apollo 16: This is what the lunar surface would have looked like
when Apollo 16 touched down on the Moon. Aim for the area
North of Descartes. 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: Examine the floor visually, sketch, or image to
show the progression of the shadow spires across floor. If
observing visually, how would you describe the appearance of
the central lit area on the floor? If imaging, do a time lapse
e.g. 1 image per minute to show the progression of the shadow
spires. We are asking for these observations following an
observation by N. Travnok (Brazil) on 2020 Jul 27 UT 23:00 who
commented on an unusual appearance to the floor. It would be
really useful to have visual observing of the appearance and
please note down what the seeing conditions are like. If you
want to image it at high resolution, please go ahead but
remember that any image stacking should not be from sections
of video of longer than 1 min duration as the shadows change
in length rather quickly at sunrise. Any sketches, visual
descriptions, or images taken, should be emailed to:
a t c @ a b e r . a c. u k
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.
Plato's Hook: a hook like effect in one of the shadow spires in Plato,
near a rim - this is a Clair-Obscur effect. It was first seen by
H.P.Wilkins in 1952. 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: How early can you see the central peak of this
crater illuminated by scattered light off the crater's west
illuminated rim? High resolution and/or long exposures needed
to capture detail inside the floor shadow. All images should
be sent to me on the email adrress below, whether or not you
were successful in capturing the central peak:
a t c @ a b e r . a c. u k
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 .
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.
BAA Request: Please can you verify that the central peak of
this crater is difficult to disern, and that the floors of
both Campanus and Mercator are generally devoid of detail.
Telescopes no smaller than 6" aperture should be used with
magnifications of approximately x180 for visual observations.
Images or sketches are welcome too. The purpose of this
request is to verify a description of the craters made by SPA
observer Steve Bush on 2014 Jan 31 IT 22:00-22:30.
Observational reports should be emailed to:
a t c @ a b e r . a c . u k
ALPO Request: Can you detect any colour, inside the crater, on
the floor and elsewhere? Can you image any colour? Minimum
telescope aperture needed: 6", and if possible try using a
refractor. All images or sketches should be sent
to me on this email adrress: a t c @ a b e r . a c. u k
BAA Request: Cavendish E - we are attempting to check out two
reports made on 2021 Jun 22 UT 20:44 and 2025 Sep 04 UT 20:04
which both said that part of the northern rim of this crater
was as bright as Aristarchus. Visual observation or images
- high resolution and/or wide angle (to compare with other
bright features) would be welcome. Telescopes of aperture 5",
or larger, should be used. 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 .