Plato 1938 Feb 14 UT 00:25 Observed by Fox (Newark, England,
6.5" reflector, x240) "Prominent gold-brown spot on E. wall
with yellow glow without definite boundary, spreading over
floor." NASA catalog weight=3. NASA catalog ID #431. ALPO/BAA
weight=3.
On 1993 Apr 06 at UT23:00 M.C. Cook (Frimley, UK) observed a TLP in
Torricelli B - "Noted that it was > yellow but only visible in mauve +
yellow combined". The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=460 and the weight=4. The
ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Aristarchus 1972 Mar 30 UTC 23:03-23:05 Observed by Kufer (11.5E,
48.25N, 110mm reflector) "A sudden brightening, but observations
limited by cloud" Ref: Hilbrecht & Kuveler Moon & Planets (1984) Vol
30, pp53-61.
In 1962 Sep 16 at UT08:05 Wildey, Pohn (Mt Wilson, CA, USA, 60"
reflector) Taruntius faded from Vmag-3.21 to 4.04, a 0.82 difference in
magnitude in 2.5 hours - a photometric measurement. The average
magnitude for this age is 4.03, so therefore the crater had brightened
by two times above normal. The Cameron 1978 catalogID=769 and the
weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Picard 2002 Sep 10 UT 02:30-03:21 Observed by Gray (Winnemucca, NV,
USA, 152mm refractor x248,S=2-3, T=5) "observed in White light and
through Wratten Red 25 and Blue #38A filters. The crater through the
Red 25 filter looked very similar to the view in White light. Using the
Blue 38A filter Picard almost dissapeared - it looked like a dim,
faintly observable black spot with the sunlit, east facing west crater
wall barely visible. Observer had not observed Picard very often, so
was not too familiar with it but it seemed odd that it almost vanished
through the blue filter." ALPO observational report. The ALPO/BAA
weight=3.
On 1992 Apr 06 at UT00:45-02:03 G. Johnson (Swanton, MD, USA, 3.5"
refractor, x36) observed Aristarchus in Earthsine, but at a higher
magnification is appeared as a diffuse star. However the crater was not
seen later. D. Darling (Sun Praire, WI, USA, 3" refractor), D. Weier
and F. Graham (Pittsburgh, PA, USA, 7" reflector, photographs),
observing at 01:24UT could not see the crater. The cameron 2006 catalog
ID=443 and the weight=0. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1990 Mar 29 at UT 19:00 L. Todd (England?) observed that Aristarchus
in Earthshine was very clearly seen and appeared to blink occasionally.
Foley (Kent, UK) also notcied variations in Aristarchus. The Cameron
2006 catalog ID = 396 and the weight=1. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1969 May 20 at UT 19:35-20:30 Gomez (Spain, 12" reflector) observed
blue-white pulsating light in Aristarchus that illuminated the inner
walls - it was maximum at 19:55UT. This observation was made during the
Apollo 10 watch. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1128 and weight=5. The
ALPO/BAA weight=2.
In 1865 Jan 01 at UT 18:00-18:30? Grover (England? or USA?, seeing =
good and transparency = clear) observed south east of Plato at the foot
of Mt Blanc a small bright spot like a magnitude 4 star - slightly out
of focus. This bright speck remained unchanged for 30 minutes. The
Cameron 1978 catalog ID=137 and the weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1847 Dec 11 at 18:00UT Hdgson (Eversley, UK, x80 refractor and 40x
reflector) observed in Plato (Though it might have been Cape Agassiz or
Teneriffe Mts) a bright spot of about a 1/4 the angular diameter of
Saturn that varied intermittently and was at all times visible on the
night side of the Moon. The following day he glimpsed the same spot
rhough clouds. From his drawing the spot was ~5' below the true N.
point & near the following limb (IAU E. limb) Cameron comments that
Plato fits the angular distance better than the other two candidates
unless there was a large northern libration. The Cameron 1978 catalog
ID=125 and weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1969 May 20 at UT 21:00-22:00 Bury (France, 4" refractor) observed
Aristarchus to be very bright, as an elliptical bluish spot at 21:00UT.
This observation was made during the Apollo 10 watch. The Cameron 1978
catalog ID=1128 and weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1969 May 20 at UT 21:10-22:30 Marcomede Rangel Nunes and
Julio Dias Nogueira (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 18" refractor)
Harpalus brighter than Bouguer - this was during the Apollo 10
watch and Cameron comments that the observers were
inexperienced. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1129 and weight=0.
The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1975 Mar 18 at UT 00:57-04:00 Reiland, Brown and Lojeck (Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, 6" reflector x45 and 8" reflector x200, photos taken)
observed the following at Aristarchus: "While obs. Earthshine on moon,
saw it glowing -- a bright steady star-like glow, est. at 5-8th mag.
First noted at 0057h. Obs. other obj. then came back to it. It was
still there -- till moonset (@0500h). Saw it in other telscopes &
Lojeck took photos. (photo shows Aris. prominent, but also LaLande,
Pytheas & Timocharis. 2 prs. in Aris. but there are other pts on the
print, it may be grain)". The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1404 and
weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
South Cusp 1969 Jul 19 UT 17:55-19:10 Observed by Dzapiashvili
(Georgia, Soviet Union) "Saw an abnormally bright spot at end of
S.cusp. Polariz. meas. at 8.3% at 1845-1847h (Apollo 11 watch?)"
NASA catalog weight=5 (very good). NASA catalog ID #1164.
On 1969 May 21 at UT 20:00-21:00 Brandli and Germann (Switzerland, 6"
refractor) observed a slow orange-red blinking on the surrounding area
of Aristarchus. It was seen less markedly the next night. Wald (Zurich,
Switzerland) noted at 20:30UT that the crater was pink (Confirmation
says Cameron) - this was during the Apollo 10 watch. The cameron 1978
catalog ID=1131-1132 and weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=4.
Fracastorius 1973 Mar 09 UT ~19:57 Robinson (Devon, UK) saw a
Moon Blink (colour) in this crater. This crater is long
suspected of giving permanent blinks due to natural colour. The
ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1969 Jul 19 at UT 1845-18:47 Pruss and Witte (Bochum, Germany, 6"
refractor x36 and binoculars) saw brightenings in the north west wall
of Aristarchus for 3-7 seconds of about 1 magnitude over the
background. From orbit at UT 18:46 the Apollo 11 crew Armstrong,
Aldrin, and Collins (in orbit around the Moon and using the naked eye)
were asked to take a look at Aristarchus after Earth-based reports of
TLP activity. Armstrong reported (after the solar corona had set, on
the night side) that probably Aristarchus "to be considerably more
illuminated than the surrounding area. It just has - seem to have, a
slight amount of flourescence to it". Collins reported a moment later:
"Looking out on the same area now. Well at least there is one wall of
the crater that seems to be more illuminated than the others. I am not
sure that I am actually identifying any phosporesecence, but that
definitely is lighter than anything else in the neighborhood". Houston
then asked if the crew could detect any colour and if the inner wall
was the inner or outer part? Aldrim commnted that it was the inner
wall and Collins mentioned thatno colour was incolved. The Cameron 1978
catalog ID=1165 and weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1969 Jul 19 at UT 19:30-21:30 Gervais (Lodure, France, 4.5"
refractor?) saw the whole region of Aristarchus and its environs
as brighter than normal. Two photographs were obtained. The
Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1156 and weight=5. At UT 20:30-20:55
Oliver (Spain, using a reflector) found the Aristarchus to have
brightened by about 1 magnitude. From UT 20:12-20:30 the crater
had been normal. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1167 and the
weight=2. At UT 21:00-00:35 P. Mourilhe Silva (Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, 19.5" refractor) saw Aristarchus as a very bright
elliptical shape which extended to the north like a bridge
between two points. Jose M. L. da Silva and Ronaldo Mourao (Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil, 13" refractor) saw a brightening on the
north west wall from 21:24-23:22UT intermittently but cont'd.
Wall was extraordinarilly bright, along NW wall brighter.
Moseley (Armagh, Northern Ireland, UK, 10" refractor) detected
an unusual bright, along north west wall, brighter than normal
in Earthshine and brighter than crater. It was not constant, but
pulsated irregularly with frequency of 20 seconds and amplitude
0.75-1.0 magnitudes. No colour seen or obscuration though lokked
for. Clouds interrupted observations. Vasquez (Valparaiso,
Chile, 12" reflector) saw it as a very luminous point of
magnitude 1. Wairy Cardoso (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 12"
reflector and 18" refractor) noted a bright. 1s??? The Cameron
catalog ID=1168 and the weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=4.
Theophilus 1969 Jul 19 UT 19:30-21:30 Observed by Fox (Notts.
England, 6.5" reflector) and Ringsdore (England, 15"
reflector). Fox saw intermittent glow in Theoph. for > 2h
(time not given). Ringsdore confirmed. (Apollo 11 watch)"
Confirmed by Baum 21:00-21:20UT. NASA catalog weight=5. NASA
catalog ID No. 1166. ALPO/BAA weight=4.
On 1966 Sep 20 at UT 03:22 Three Astronet observers (Phoenix, AZ, and
Los Angeles, CA, USA) (independently?) reported flashes in Grimaldi
crater. One observer was in Phoenix AZ, and another in Losa Angeles,
CA, so probably not due to the atmosphere. Cameron comments that the
astronaut Schmidt on Apollo 17 saw a flash in it while orbiting the
Moon. the Cameron 1978 catalog ID=977 and the weight=5. The ALPO/BAA
weight=4.
South Pole 2011 Apr 08 UT 19:30-20:00 A.Kemp (Mold, Flintshire, UK) observed that the
Leibnitz peaks at the southern pole stood out sharply. However one of the peaks was “shining
like a spot light. So bright that I couldn’t make out its shape”. – image clear and steady with
excellent transparency and seeing in the 70mm f/13 refractor (25mm and 10mm eyepieces).
Inspections during the above time period revealed no changes in brightness. Previous
observations of this area had never shown such an unusual brightness, and Arthur likened the
brightness to “a maximum brightness of Venus shining amongst 2nd magnitude stars”. The
observer was an experienced observer. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Lunar volcano, seen on the dark side, as bright as a
6th magnitude star,
A bright spot was seen. Cameron 1978 catalog
ID=40 and weight=3. ALPO/BAA catalog weight=2.
Theophilus 1969 Jul 20 UT 18:40 Observed by Delaye, Thinon, Donas, ?
ourdan (Marseilles, France, 10" refractor x60) "Saw a flash on the c.p.
of mag 1.0, duration 0.1s, no color. (meteor?) (Apollo 11 watch)".
NASA catalog weight=1 (very low). NASA catalog ID #1174.
On 1969 May22 at UT2045-2105 Wald (Zurich, Switzerland) observed the
pinkish colour in Aristarchus was less marked tonight. The astronauts
were alerted and at 22:12 reported no activity but could see the crater
and Earthshine was strong near the terminator. Apollo 10 watch,
spacecraft far from the terminator. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1134
and the weight=2. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Atlas 1969 May 22 UT 21:20-21:40 Observed by Germann, Wild, Vieli
(Zurich, Switzerland, 6" reflector) "Rim towards the sun was bright.
Part of time was interrupted. (Apollo 10 watch)" NASA catalog weight=3
(average). NASA catalog ID #1135.
On 1969 Jul 20 at UT 19:55-20:10 Delaye, Thinon, Donas, and Jourdran
(Marseilles, France, 10" refractor, x60) saw between 19:55-20:04UT
Aristarchus to be bright and in it pulsations with 10 sec duration. At
20:05UT it's spot brightened, at 20:08:50-20:35:50UT brightening and
pulsations of variable duration. At 20:55:50UT just a feeble flash.
Cameron comments that this is probably not atmpsheric effects as the
period is too long - also it was during the Apollo 11 watch. The
Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1175 and th weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
A.S.Williams of West Brighton, UK, using a 2.75" Acromatic refractor
(x75, definition good, but it was too windy to use the 5.25") noticed
that the mare was a mass of light streaks and spots. This was not
considered unusual, but these features were unusually plain, distinct
and brught, especially the streaks. The observer could not recall
seeing the streaks so bright and clear with this instrument before, and
indeed hardly ever with the larger 5.25" telescope. The observer
continued to observe Mare Crisium on many nights for several months and
comments that such an unusual exhibition was later seen perhaps once
every 2-3 lunations. They are uncertain how much this effect depends
upon the state of the Earth's atmosphere. This TLP does not make it
into the Cameron 1978 catalog and so may not be a TLP - however it has
been included, just in case, and to try to understand what was actually
seen. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Mons Piton 2022 Aug 04 UT 19:41-20:10 T. Smith (Codnor, UK,
16inch Newtonian, x247, Seeing IV) mountain was very bright
and red around its eastern slopes. An examination of the
bright and contrasty Proclus crater revealed that to be
relatively colour free compared to Piton. An examination of
other features, north and south along the terminator revealed
some tinge of coloiur but not as strong as on Mon Piton. Mons
Piton examined with a yellow filter at 19:50 and still showed
red along the eastern side, other features along the
terminator had no colour through the filter. Video images by.
A.Cook (Newtown, UK) made earlier at 1929 & 19:40 UT, (in the
SWIR (1.5-1.7 microns) did not reveal Mons Pico as especially
bright - but resolutioin was poor. A friend of Smith, phoned
up the next day to say that they saw a mountain on the limb
exhibiting red on the 14th August. Probably the redness was
due to atmospheric spectral dispersion as the Moon was low,
and it was especially visble on Mons Piton as this is an
exceedingly contrasty object on the terminator. ALPO/BAA
weight=1.
Theophilus 1969 Jul 21 UT 19:30-21:45 and 21:00-22:00 Observed by Fox
(Newark, England, 6.5" reflector,) and Baum (Chester, England, 4.5"
refractor) (S=6, T=4) "At wall, adjacent to Cyrillus was a redish glow,
then obscur. (Fox). Baum saw intermittant white-blue shimmering as if
glowing thru dust glowing & upsurge in brightness on c.p. Gradually
faded to normal at 21:20. 1st time ever seen by him tho. obs. since
1947. Image sharp, no haziness. (indep. confirm. of activity, but
details differ, but same time, Apollo 11 watch)." NASA catalog
weight=5. NASA catalog ID #1180. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1991 May 21 at UT05:30-06:15 J. Green (Orangevale, CA, USA, 11"
reflector) photgrapphed a broad bright band stretching east and north
of Cassini crater in 3 exposures taken 10 minutes apart. This
photographic sequence shows a gradual widening towards Cassini and by
the 3rd exposure the band is touching (and then obscuring) Cassini. A
"fan" was visible in the north east and WSW directions, later this was
seen as rays and this was even seen in the view finder of the camera.
Cameron comments that this might be lens flare but suspects that it
would not have been seen in the view finder. The Cameron 2006 catalog
ID=427 and the weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Hyginius Cleft 1966 Jul 25 UT 04:40 observed by Kelsey (Riverside, CA,
USA, 8" reflector, x300) "Points at opposite ends of cleft were very
brilliant in red Wratten 25 filter & very dull in blue Wratten 47
filter. Richer uncertain if real LTP." NASA catalog weight=1. NASA
catalog ID #957.
A track of reddish light, like a beam, was seen
crossing the shadowed floor of Plato.This TLP has an ID
No. of 17 in Cameron's 1978 catalog and a weight
of 3. It has an ALPO/BAA weight of 2.
Plato 1882 Mar 27 UTC 20:10-21:00 Observer: A.S. Williams (Brighton,
UK, 5.5" saw the shadow filled floor of Plato at Sunrise with a
"Glowing and curious milky kind of light". About 1 hour after sunrise
at Plato, there was no trace of this effect. The TLP filled the whole
floor except at a quarter of the diameter from the east wall which was
actually quite black. The observer saw a curious phosphorescent glimmer
at sunset (April11th?). Cameron comments that Birt, Nelson and Waugh
saw obsecuring mist or fog in Plato on many occasions. Cameron 1978
catalog ID=229 and weight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1979 Dec 27 at UT 05:32 D. Louderback (South Bend, WA, USA, 6"
reflector x240, seeing=3-6/10 and T=4) noticed "2 small high-sun areas
nr. Eimmart - brightening around Mare Crisium, except for interior of
Proclus - in blue light. They were brighter than 2 spots on Cap.
Agarum rated 8.5 & Proc. 9. Not as bright next night. Probably a real
blue light brightening". Cameron 2006 catalog ID=79, location on Moon:
(70E, 23N) and weight=4.
On 1965 Sep 03 UT03:00-05:00 D.Harris (Located near Whittier
College, Whittier, CA, USA, using a 10" f/8.2 Newtonian
reflector, x78 & x208, seeing 5-6, transparency 2-0) observed a
ridge obscured SSW of Ross D. No drawing was made, only a
written description. "Ridge not visible near crater; possible
white patch 1/3 Ross D diameter" The ridge is the wrinkle ridge
extending NNE from Ross D, a well established often visible
feature. Harris comments that this was not one of the better TLPs
seen near Ross D, and there were no independent observers,
neverless he was ceratin of this being a TLP, and it was
consistant with other activity seen near this crater between 1964
and 1970. Cameron 1978 catalog ID 891 and weight=3. ALPO/BAA
weight=2.
Plato 1895 May 02 UT 20:45, 23:45 Observed by Brenner and Fauth
(Germany?) "Streaks of light (Brenner) bright parallel bands in
center Fauth (indep. confirmation?)." NASA catalog weight=5.
NASA catalog ID #284. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Plato 1887 Nov 23 UT 20:00? Observed by de Speissens (France?)
"Luminous triangle on floor. Klein says it was sunlight affect. (but
similar to Klein's own obs., #190. Fort says never seen before nor
since)." NASA catalog weight=0 (very unlikely). NASA catalog ID #256.
ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Censorinus 1969 May 24 UTC 21:10-22:15 Observed by Jean
Nicolini (Sao Paulo, Brazil, 12" reflector) "It was brighter
than Proclus between 2130-2145h. A very tiny cirrus veil
present & Censor. appeared less bright & Proc. continued to
look normal. Weather worsened at 2215h. (Apollo 10 watch)."
NASA catalog weight=2. NASA catalog ID #1144. ALPO/BAA
weight=1.
Piton 1960 Nov 27 ? UT 00:00? Observed by Schneller
(Cleveland, OH, USA, 8" Reflector, x53), "Red obscuration
concealing peak, @10m2 (if near SR, date is 27th; ancillary
data given for 27th -- date not given)." NASA catalog weight=
3. NASA catalog ID #731. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Clavius 1915 Apr 23 UTC 20:00 Observed by Cook (England?) "Narrow
straight beam of light from crater A to B" NASA catalog weight=1 (very
poor). NASA catalog ID #352. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 2009 May 03/10 UT23:20-00:11 P. Abel (Leicester, UK, 20cm reflector,
x312, seeing III-IV) observed that the north east wall was slightly
brighter than would have been expected, slightly blurred (not seeing
related blurring) and had a strong orange-brown colour. No spurious
colour seen elsewhere. A change in eyepieces showed the same effect. No
luck in alerting other observers. A drawing was made at 23:20UT and
finished at 00:12UT. At 23:12UT part of the inner NW floor had a dull
brown colour, whereas before it was grey.By 00:11UT the colour effect
was fading and by 00:18 seeing condirions were too bad to continue. M.
Cook (Mundesley, UK, 9cm Questar telescope, x80, x130, seeing III,
transparency moderate to good) had observed Tycho earlier in the
evening at 22:15UT, but had seen no signs of colour. W. Leatherbarrow
(Sheffield, UK, 8cm scope, high cloud interuptions and bad seeing) had
taken monochrome images at UT 20:07 and 20:10, but these showed nothing
unusual, and he checked the crater visually at 00:00-00:30, but
detected no colour, although the Moon's low altitude contibuted to poor
seeing conditions and some spurious colour was seen. CCD images from M.
Collins (Palmerston North, New Zealand) taken at 00:46UT showed
nocolour apart from spurious colour on contrasty edges, in no way
reflecting what was seen early by P. Abel. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Observer made a drawing over a period of 30 minutes. Upon
examining drawing, and comparing with photos made under
similar illumination was struck by the abnormality of a
a small white blob in the north east corner of the shadowed
floor. There should be no raised topography between the wall
and the central peaks that could give rise to this. The making
of the sketch overlapped with an earlier drawing made by Rony
de Laet (Belgium) which did not show this blob. Subsequent attempts
to find sketches/images at very similar illumination angles have
failed to show the blob in the north east corner of the chadowed
floor. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Birt 1955 Apr 15 UT 03:20-05:00 Observed by Capen (California
Seeing=Excellent) "Small craters between Birt & wall were invis. at
times under excellent seeing, while craterlets on w.side were
continually obs." NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #586.
On 1882 Jan 29 at UT 17:00-17:30 an unknown observer noted an unusual
shadow in Eudoxus crater. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=227 and the
weight=2. Reference: Sirius Vol 15, 167, 1882. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Plato 1969 May 26 UT 20:30-21:05 Observed by Farrant
(Cambridge, England, 8" reflector, x160, S=G) "Had misty
portion of SW(ast. ?) floor from 2030-2105h at which time it
was gone. Clearly seen, had ill-defined boundaries & was an
easy obj. to see. Alt.=33 deg. (Apollo 10 watch)." NASA
catalog weight=3. NASA catalog ID No. 1148. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
In 1950 Aug 25 at UT 10:55 T.Saheki (Osaka, Japan) observed a
stationary yellow-white flash on the Moon of duration 0.2 sec
and mag 6.5. Cameron suggests that this was a meteor. The
Cameron 1978 catalog ID=536 and weight=0. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Proclus 1950 Jul 27 UT 02:56 Observed by Bartlett (Baltimore,
MD, USA) described in the NASA catalog as: "C.p. of Proc.
disappeared)" 5" reflector used at x100, NASA catalog weight=4.
ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Herodotus 1950 Jul 27 UT 03:56 Observed by Bartlett
(Baltimore, MD, USA) described in the NASA catalog as: "Pseudo
c.p. in Herod. Drawings. (Similar to NASA catalog event #523)"
5" reflector used at x100, NASA catalog weight=4. ALPO/BAA
weight=3.
Torricelli B 2002 Oct 18 UTC 20:56-21:59 Observer: G.North (UK, 8"
reflector, x134, Seeing Antoniadi IV, Transparency good) - thought that
Torricelli B was perhaps a little brighter than expected, especially
when compared to Moltke and Censorinus based upon past recollection of
relative brightnesses at this colongitude). Slight bluish tint seen as
well. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1990 May 09 at UT08:24-08:28 D. Louderback (South Bend, WA, USA, 3"
reflector, x150, Clears sky) noticeed in Promontorium Agarum (Cape
Agarum), that at 08:24UT the west point (C) dimmed to a brightness of
6.5 before ragaining its normal brightness at 7. Cameron comments that
these are wedge measurements equivalent to 0.5 steps in Elger's
brightness scale. No other effects noticed elsewhere. The Cameron 2006
catalog ID=404 and the weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.