On 1980 Apr 28, Louderback (South Bend, WA, USA using a 8" reflector
and a 2.5" refractor) observed a very bright reg region on top of the
south west rim of Aristarchus crater. This was on the same side as the
ray system between Aristarchus and Herodotus. Louderback noticed some
chromatic aberation - blue where he had seen the red patch before.
Louderback suspects chromatic aberation was the cause although did not
see red in that region ever again. "Patch was between his observation
points A and C. Point C was 5 points brighter in the red filter than in
the blue." A sketch was made. Cameron suspects that the TLP was real.
Cameron 2006 TLP catalog extension ID=92 and weight=3. ALPO/BAA
weight=2.
On 1821 Jan 16 at UT 21:00 S. Cooke (Stonehouse, UK) An
effusion of smoke effect, which lasted about a minute, seen.
It appeared like the fluttering of a bird and passed over the
Moon before it evaporated, and must have been foreshortened,
as it seemed in effect to have passed over the whole disc,
starting from west of Menelaus, and near Plinius. ALPO/BAA
weight=1.
Peter Foley (Kent, UK, 8" reflector, seeing=II) noticed that
the floor beneath the north wall, and the area over the north
wall were indistinct (almost out of focus). Despite looking
elsewhere in the crater and surrounds, no other blurring
(obscuration of detail) could be seen, indeed everywhere else
was sharp and detailed. Foley tried several eyepieces but this
made no difference. He used a crater extinction device but
found no variations in brightness. There was a slight
darkening when he used a red filter in the Moon Blink device.
The obscuration effect weakened between UT20:56 and 21:10,
was difficult to see at 21:13 and had finished by 00:15.
Patrick Moore (12" reflector, Dublin, Ireland) saw nothing
unusual when he started observing at UT 22:00. Cameron says
"Photos marked at location of phenomenon". Cameron 2006
extension catalog ID=37 and weight=5. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Louderback observed that the south west wall was a creamy deep yellow.
There was also strong fluorescent blue on the west wall of the Cobra
Head - Schroter's Valley area and this was similar to the violet glare
seen on Aristarchus at times. Violet was seen between Aristarchus and
the Cobra Head. Seeing coditions were poor. Brightening of a point
near C occurred roughly every 10-15 seconds and lasted 0.5 sec -
(Cameron concludes that this was not due to the Earth's atmosphere).
A 0.2 step drop in brightness was seen on point A (twin spots).
Point C had reduced by 0.6 steps. Elsewhere was stable in brightness.
Cameron 2006 catalog ID=281 and weight=4. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Variations in vapor column rising from the Cobra Head feature
(seen on several nights in succession) and also in the visibility of
craterlets A, C, F. Sunrise +2d. (time est. fr. gives colongitude).
Cameron 1978 catalog ID=279 and weight=3. Pickering was observing from
the southern station of Harvard University in Arequipa, Peru.
Manilius 1939 Jun 30 UT 06:05 Observed by Haas (NM?, USA, 12"?
reflector) "Dark area in S. part was I=2.0 but was I=3.7 on 7/30/39.
Obs. conditions were very similar." NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA
catalog ID #449.
Plato 1916 Oct 10 UT 21:00? Observed by M, Maggeni (Florence
Obs., Italy) "Reddish shadow spread over part of crater. Looked like
vapor (like nitrous vapor) and obscured underlying craters. The Cameron
1978 catalog weight=3 and ID = 365. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Aristarchus. 2024 Feb 23 UT 19:22. A.Conway (Bootle, UK - 20cm
Newtonian (dobsonian), 9mm Plossl eyepiece, Samsung A33 mobile
phone camera, 36 sec AVI file at 30fps, seeing probably
average-good). Noticed a blue tinge on northern rim of the
crater. This is probably normal, but we are flagging this up
as a weight 1 TLP, in order to obtain some repeat illumination
observations and confirm that the strength of the blueness is
normal.
Aristarchus, Cobra Head, 1969 Dec 23 UT 05:19-05:34 Observed by
A.R. Taylor (Buckinghamshire, UK, 8.5" reflector, 240x, Wratten
25 and 80B) Strong blink in crater at 0519. All traces gone by
0534. Could only see in filters, Plato, Copernicus, Gassendi all
normal. Obscur. also in Cob. Head." NASA catalog weight=4. NASA
catalog ID #1230. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Stevinus 1961 May 29 UT 02:45-03:30 Observed by Cameron (Adelphi, MD,
USA, 3.5" reflector, x160, Questar, Seeing=good) "Craters stood out
like glittering points (small craters on rims?). Only anomalies among
many features examined (specular refl. from flat surface?)." NASA
catalog weight=4. NASA catalog ID #738. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Eratosthenes 1976 Sep 08 UTC 04:29 Observed by Bartlett (Baltimore, MD,
USA, 4.5" reflector 45-225x, S=5-4, T=5) "Psuedo-shadow X3 was present
but X disappeared from wall(same intensity?) which was rated 4 deg.
Disappearance of X so unexpected that he examined inner S wall very
carefully & was certain it was free from psuedo-shad. Had vanished
within 24h. Other pseudo-shadows showed no change. X reappeared next
nite. (X must have been 4deg; &this is much higher than any other
meas.). Variability of wall shadows may habe been what Pickering saw,
suggests Bartlett." Cameron 1978 TLP catalog weight=4 and catalog ID
1452. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Furnerius 1961 May 29 UT 02:45-03:30 Observed by Cameron (Adelphi, MD,
USA, 3.5" reflector, x160, Questar, Seeing=good) "Craters stood out
like glittering points (small craters on rims?). Only anomalies among
many features examined (specular refl. from flat surface?)." NASA
catalog weight=4. NASA catalog ID #738. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1992 Oct 10 at 18:57-19:04 UT I.S.Brukhanov (of Minsk, Belarus,
using a 6" refractor x40 and x98) saw a star like point inside Plato
crater of similar brightness to the central peak of Alphonsus. The
event lasted 90 seconds before weakening and vanishing completely at
19:04UT. Cameron 2006 catalog extension ID=455 and weight=3.
ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1981 Apr 18 at UT 19:50-22:10 M. Mobberley (Suffolk, UK, using a
14" reflector, seeing poor and transparency poor) observed faint-yellow
streaks still visible, but less prominent. Cameron mentions that
Bartlett noticed this colour, but in the south floor of Aristarchus.
Cameron 2006 catalog ID=133 and weight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
David Darling observed bright glittering on Aristarchus. This
was followed by a flare up in brightness at 00:38:05 UT in the
comet-like ray area of the crater equivalent in intensity to the
central peak. Then he saw another one on the north east rim of
Aristarchus of the same brightness. A third flare was seen at
00:49UT in south of Herodotus, on the comet-like ray. Another
two flares were observed at 00:56UT on the north west rim of
Aristarchus. Darling suspects that these effects were due
to seeing effects and Cameron agrees. However Weier suspects
that they were TLP? Brightness measurements by Weier were for
the south west rim of Herodotus 8.0, for a spot at the Cobra's
Head 9.0 and 7.5 for C.H. Cameron apparently did not see the flashes
but did suspect that the interior of Aristarchus was a bit unusual.
Don Spain did not see anything unsual at all. Cameron 2006 extended
catalog ID=380 and the observation weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Aristarchus 1967 Dec 16 UTC 22:00? Observed by Farrant (Cambridge,
England, 8" reflector) "Crater took on an unusual appearance on inner
NE (ast. ?) wall. Showed a very pale blue & the opposite wall a pale
red color seen in no other features. Lasted only 10m & survived a
change of eyepieces." Seeing=I (Antoniadi). NASA catalof weight=3
(average). NASA catalog ID #1056.
On 2002 Mar 29 at 02:20-02:38UT C. Brook (Plymouth, UK, 60mm refractor,
x120 - no cloud, slight haze, no wind, seeing good) noticed during
first part of observing period that Aristarchus was getting steadily
brighter, very much brighter than Proclus. This continued until 02:36UT
when it dimmed suddenly over a period of about a minute or so. No
colour effects seen. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 2002 mar 29 at 02:20-02:38UT C. Brook (Plymouth, UK, 60mm refractor,
x120 - no cloud, slight haze, no wind, seeing good) noticed during
first part of observing period that Aristarchus was getting steadily
brighter, very much brighter than Proclus. This continued until 02:36UT
when it dimmed suddenly over a period of about a minute or so. No
colour effects seen. ALPO/BAA weight=2. Just as an after thought - was
it Aristarchus that was varying, or Proclus?
Louderback, of South Bend, WA, USA observed a bright area over
Mons Anguis and Eimmart - it resembled a comet and had a bluish
colour and varied in brightness. The colour was confirmed as it
was not seen in a red filter but could be seen in blue and white
light. Other features were checked but did not show anything
similar although a violet glare was suspected in the blue filter. A
sketch was made. Observer made Eimmart 8 in brightness at 07:30UT.
Noted that the area around Eimmart appeared opaque at times and less so
at other times. At 08:52UT the phenomenon was seen again. On May 2nd
a bright spot was still seen in the region but it was not changing
dimensions. During the observation on Apr 30th the atmospheric
transparency was excellent. A 2.5" refractor was used. Reference:
Personal communication from Louderback to Cameron on 1980 Jul 16th.
The Cameron 2006 catalog extension ID of this TLP was 93 and the
weight was 4. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1978 Aug 18 at UT 22:00 Coates (England?, UK, 3" refractor,
seeing=II) found that the inner bands of Aristarchus were hard to see,
this was odd because the seeing conditions were good and he usually
sees them? However he did not believe that there was any obscuration
going on. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=37 and weight=0. The ALPO/BAA
weight=1.
Proclus 2002 Mar 29 UT 05:27-05:36 Observed by Darling (Sun Praire, WI,
USA, 12.5" f/5 Newtonian, +Rotating polaroid visual densitometer)
"Observations made following telephone alert call about Brook's report.
Aristarchus, Proclus and Censorinus monitored for brightness variations
from 04:41-05:37UT. Apart form a change in transparency due to cirrus
cloud at 05:11-05:18, there were significant dimmings of the
brightnesses of Proclus at 05:27. Aristarchus remained constant - this
suggested that Clive Brook's earlier report was not a TLP in
Aristarchus, but possibly in Proclus which he was using as a
comparison" ALPO Lunar Section Report. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Censorinus 2002 Mar 29 UT 05:27-05:36 Observed by Darling (Sun Praire,
WI, USA, 12.5" f/5 Newtonian, +Rotating polaroid visual densitometer)
"Observations made following telephone alert call about Brook's report.
Aristarchus, Proclus and Censorinus monitored for brightness variations
from 04:41-05:37UT. Apart form a change in transparency due to cirrus
cloud at 05:11-05:18, there were significant dimmings of the brightness
of Censorinus at 05:36UT. Aristarchus remained constant" ALPO Lunar
Section Report. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Manillus 1955 Aug 03 UTC 21:00 Observed by Firsoff (Sommerset, England,
6.5" reflector, x200) "Maniluus very bright in all colors, especially
blue, extraordinarily so" NASA catalog weight=4 (good). NASA catalog ID
#602.
Timocharis 1955 Aug 03 UTC 21:00 Observed by Firsoff (Sommerset,
England, 6.5" reflector, x200) "Crater was bright in blue, seemed large
& diffused." NASA catalog weight=4 (good). NASA catalog ID #602.
On 1970 Nov 14 UT20:10 J.Coates (Burnley Astromical Society,
8.5" reflector, x102 and x204) saw a dirty green colour on the
NW region of the crater, in patches, with a green area nearby.
ALPO/BAA weight=1.
1969Jan04 UT19:30-20:00 W.Deane (Hendon, UK, 2" refractor)
observed a bright yellow spot just E of Aristarchus, stretching
from the S. end of Montes Harbinger to the S. wall of Prinz. The
ALPO/BAA weight=1. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Copernicus 1975 Jul 24 UT 22:52 Observed by Robinson (Teignmouth,
England, 10" ? reflector or 4" refractor?) "Copernicus indistinct in
red and blue filters" NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID
#1409.
Fracastorius 1975 Jul 24 UT 22:52 Observed by Robinson (Teignmouth,
England, 10" ? reflector or 4" refractor?) "Fracastorius had a blink
(red or blue?)" NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #1409.
Tycho 1975 Jul 24 UT 22:52 Observed by Robinson (Teignmouth, England,
10" ? reflector or 4" refractor?) "Tycho indistinct in red and blue
filters" NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #1409.
Aristarchus 1954 Nov 12 UTC 02:20-03:05 Observed by Bartlett
(Baltimore, MD, USA, S=5-6, T=3-4) "Blue-violet glare on EWBS &
whole length of E. wall. Suspected viol. tint on VA; uncertain @
m" NASA catalog weight=4. This had faded later by 05:07. NASA
catalog ID #582. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1996 Jul 31 at 22:40UT P. Moore (Selsey, UK, 15" reflector, x300)
noticed a lack of detail in the Cape Agarum area - he would normally
have expected to have seen some craterlets. However he would not rate
this observation much because the seeing was only III and he does not
think that it was an obscuration. However just in case he wanted to
record this report in the archives. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Aristarchus 1969 Dec 26 UT 03:35-03:45 Observed by Kilburn (England,
6" x192) "Suspected faint blink & glow outside of SW(IAU?) wall. Large
area was gray toward Herod. Another blink inside between 2 bands
at0330h. At 0345h neither blinks seen. Blink seen in blue (=red
event?). Next nite crater was normal." NASA catalog weight=3 (average).
NASA catalog ID #1231.
Plato 1971 Dec 04 UT21:00-21:10 D.B.Taylor (Dundee, UK, 10"
refractor, conditions poor and turbulent). Observer suspected
colour orange colour near bright spot on north wall. Observation
ceased due to being clouded out. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Aristarchus 1968 Dec 07 UT 07:00? observed by Corralitos Observatory
(Organ Pass, NM, USA, 24" reflector+Moon Blink) "Bluing around 3
craters, strongest at Aris. Lasted several days. Photos show 30% more
intensity in blue filter than in red or neutral. Moon's declination
northerly. Obs. think it was due to atm. effects" NASA catalog weight=5
(very high). NASA catalog ID #1105.
On 1968 Dec 07 at UT 07:00? Corralitos Observatory (Organ Pass, NM,
USA, 24" reflector and Moon Blink device) observed a bluing around
three craters, one of which was Kepler. This effect lasted several
days. Photographs were taken that show30% more intensity in the blue
filter than in red or neutral. The Moon's decination was northerly. The
observers suspect that it was an atmospheric efect and not a TLP. The
Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1105 and the weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Gassendi 1940 Jul 22 UT 05:00 Observed by Haas (NM?, USA, 12"
reflector?) "Largest bright spot in SE part of floor had I=8.6,
but 6+ on other dates. (see #472, 474 & 475). (8.6 is normal?)"
NASA catalog weight=4. NASA catalog ID #469. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Proclus 1956 Jul 25 UTC 06:16-06:33 Observed by Bartlett
(Baltimore, MD, USA, 5" reflector, x180, S=3-5, T=4) "C.p.
distinctly vis. within floor shadeo, est. 5 deg bright but no
trace of it at col. 122.37deg in Oct, '55(Oct. 4?)." NASA
catalog weight=4 (good). NASA catalog ID #645. ALPO/BAA
weight=2.
Four bright spots seen in Mare Crisium. There was also peculiar
behaviour of the terminator. Source: Midlehurst 1968 catalog TLP ID=16.
Ref Web 1962 p62-76. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Near Bacon, Barocius, Nicolai i.e. 16E-25E, 52S-42S 1878 Nov 13 UTC
02:30 Observed by Hammes & others (Oskaloose, Iowa, USA, 6.5"
reflector) "Lunar volcano (drawing) (investigation & correspondence
cast doubt on location)" NASA catalog weight=? NASA
catalog ID #208.
LeCroy Jr. and Sr. (Springfield, VA, 4.5" reflector, x75, S=VG, T=3)
observed the following in the Aristarchus and Herodotus region: "Prior
to 0542h the 2 craters were 2 bright spots within bright areas. Then a
brightness developed merging them together into one big bright area
with no discernable details. Returned to normal at 0554h. Sketches.
Albedo=10+ where normal albedo is 9.5". The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=
1413 and weight=4. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 2006 Dec 08 at UT 17:32 (+/- 2 min) M. Collins (Palmerston
North, New Zealand, 3.5" Maksutov, 40mm eyepiece, seeing III-IV)
observed during daylight hours an extremely bright flash south of
Godin. It flared up and down over a fraction of a second an appeared
three times brighter than the Moon background itself. The ALPO/BAA
weight=1.
Plato 1877 Nov 23 UT 22:00? Observed by Crain, Klein, Eng.
officer (France?, Cologne, Germany, England?, 6" refractor?) "A
luminous triangular object on floor & each craterlet on floor
outlined as a lum. pt. (indep. confirm.?)" NASA catalog weight=5
(very high). NASA catalog ID #199. ALPO/BAA weight=4.
On 1955 Oct 04 UT 22:00 Dubois and Kozyrev (Crimea, Soviet Union,
50" reflector) observed the following in Aristarchus crater: "Low
disprsion (d=.13 whereas on Oct 28 & Nov d=0.03) Spectogram showing
emiss. in central part nr. H&K". Cameron says that this is a
confirmation of the previous Bartlett TLP? The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=
619 and weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=5.
Pico 1976 Aug 13/14 20:50-01:00, 03:15 Observed by Foley? or Findlay?
(England, S=E) "Dark line to the E. (IAU?) of Pico obs. & persisted
till 0100h. On 14th the whole area around Pico was gray & diffused. At
0315h detail reappeared & NW corner sparkled. Small brilliant spot
appeared due N. of it & the albdeo exceeded Aristarchus (=9+ ?)" NASA
catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #1443.
Aristarchus 1969 Nov 27 UT 20:00? Observed by Miles (coventry, England,
5" refractor, x120) "Strong pink color in N. part; spectacular strong
blink. Did not notice obscur. Bands were vis." NASA catalog weight=4
(high). NASA catalog ID #1227.
Theophilus 1971 Dec 06 UT 21:35-23:20 Observed by Findlay, Ford,
Taylor, Robbie (Dundee, Scotland, 10" reflector x180), Bolger
(Chester, England), Fitton (Lancashire, England, 8" reflector).
"Red-orange patch on E. (IAU?) floor even without a blink.
Others confirmed. Dimmed by 2105h but still seen. Dimmer yet at
2230h & gone at 2300h. Baum saw brownish-red patch at 25.5E,
12.5S. Taylor saw reddish patch SE of crater, fainter at 2220h,
gone at 2300h. Fitton saw image very dull,yellow & steady.
Filters showed nothing unusual, & nothing seen at 2320h." NASA
catalog weight=5. NASA catalog ID #1320. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Aristillus 1939 Sep 03 UT 05:00 Observed by Haas? (New
Mexico?) "Dark area in W. part of floor was I=4.0, comp. with
I=1.3, & I=3.7 (see #450, & #454). Used different telescope,
but can't explain diff. in albedo, since phase is similar in 2
& dist. from term. similar in all (normal?)." NASA catalog
weight=4. NASA catalog ID #459. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Aristillus 1939 Jul 06 UT 05:00 Observed by Haas? (NM?, USA,
12" reflector?) "Dark area in W. part of floor was I=1.3 but
other dates were brighter. or same. yet cond. similar (see #
454, 459 & 461)" NASA catalog weight=4. NASA catalog ID #450.
ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Fracastorius 1975 Jul 27 UT 22:45 Observed by Robinson (Teignmouth,
England) "Blink seen. Floor brighter in red than in blue. Suspects
colour is spurious". NASA catalog weight=1 (very low). NASA catalog ID
#1410.
Plato 1975 Jul 27 UT 22:45 Observed by Robinson (Teignmouth, England)
"Blink seen. Floors brighter in red than in blue". NASA catalog weight=
1 (very low). NASA catalog ID #1410.
Theophilus 1975 Jul 27 UT 22:45 Observed by Robinson (Teignmouth,
England) "Blink seen. Floor brighter in red than in blue". NASA catalog
weight=1 (very low). NASa catalog ID #1410.
On 1979 Jul 14 at UT 00:24-01:10 P. Madej (Huddersfield, UK, 15cm
reflector, x35, x52, x73 and x110, seeing IV-V, transparency very
good). Note that the observing date was also written as Jul 18th in the
original report? Puiseaux was very clear in white light, but could not
see the cenrtral peak. The central peak though was visible through a
Waretten 15 (yellow) filter. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Eratosthenes 1976 Sep 14 UTC 04:24 Observed by Bartlett (Baltimore, MD,
USA, 4.5" reflector, 45-300x, S=6, T=3 hazy) "Pseudo shadow F
disappeared & wall here is same intensity as whole inner crater wall, =
4deg. No change in X, X3 or X2 (4 deg much brighter than normal)." NASA
catalog weight=4 (good). Cameron c1978 atalog ID=1453 and weight=4. The
ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Aristarchus 1956 Jul 28 UT 05:20-05:55 Observed by Bartlett
(Baltimore, MD, USA, 5" reflector, x180, S=5, T=4) "Vivid blue-
viol. gl. on c.p., band across E. floor, & EWBS, E. & NE wall".
N.B. The effect had vanished by 07:20UT. NASA catalog weight=4.
NASA catalog ID 646. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1975 Jul 29 at UT 00:00 Fraser (England, 6" reflector, x70) and
Howick (England, 3.5" reflector) observed the occultation of 51 Pisc.
at emersion - Fraser saw a flash or spike of liht which proceeded
emersion of primary by 0.4sec. The 9.0 mag companion appeared some
moments later. Howick at 1 km away, with 3.5" reflector noted nothing
unusual. Cameron says that no 3rd companion is known. The Cameron 1978
catalog ID=1411 and weight=2. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Observations made with a variable polarizer (akin to a crater
extinction device) to measure brighness with red and blue filters.
Some variability in brightness noted. With the Kodak Wratten
25 and 38A filters there was little or no increase in contrast with the
red filter, but with the blue filter there was a great increase in
contrast of the brighter areas of the crater - the crater floor and
patches of lighter material, especially at the north end. The remaining
areas were supressed with the Blue 38A. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1966 Apr 12 at UT 01:05-01:23 Whippey (Northolt, England, UK, 6"
reflector x212) and Corralitos Observatory (Organ Pass, NM, USA, 24"
Moon Blink) observed in Gassendi: "Abrupt flash of red, settling
immediately to a point of red haze near NW (IAU?) wall. Continuous till
0123h. (Not confirmed at Corralitos Obs. MB--at same time?". The
Cameron 1978 catalog ID=927 and weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Gassendi 1966 Dec 04 UTC 01:05-01:23 Observed by Whippey (Northolt?
England, 6" reflector, x212) "Abrupt flash of red, setling in
immediately to a pt. of red haze nr. NW (ast.?) wall. Continuous till
0123 (date given was 4-12-66 = European convention?)." NASA catalog
weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #1000.
Copernicus 1939 Jul 09 UT 05:00 Observed by Haas? (NM?, USA, 12"
reflector?) "Dark area at foot of N. inner wall was I=1.8. Comp. with
I=4.8 on 9/6/39 (see #460)" NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog
ID #451.
Copernicus 1939 Sep 06 UTC 06:00 Observed by Haas? (New Mexico?, 12"
reflector) "Dark area at foot of N. inner wall had I=4.8 comp. with I=
1.8 in #451. (same phase so a real difference)." NASA catalog weight=4
(good). NASA catalog ID #460.
UT 08:30 or UT 20:30? SW inner wall of Aristarchus was intesnsity
I=0.5, but was I=2.5 on July 2 at Col. 195. Observing conditions were
identical. Band is darkening near col. 180. (Observation made in
daylight?). Cameron 1978 NASA catalog ID=425 and weight=4
(very experienced observer). ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Riccioli 1937 Sep 29 UT 09:10 Observed by Haas (Alliance, OH
USA, 12?" reflector) "Vivid deep purple (Deep purple color on
the previous day), but on July 2, 1937 at col. 195deg it was
gray tinged with brownish purple. Obs. conditions similar on
all." NASA catalog weight=4. NASA catalog ID #426. ALPO/BAA
weight=3.
Vitello 1939 Jul 10 UT 09:30 Observed by Haas? (NM? USA, 12?"
reflector) "S.part of dark area was I=2.5 but diff. values other times.
(see #453, &457). Cond. were similar" NASA catalog weight=4 (high).
NASA catalog ID #452.
On 1979 Jul 18 at UT 00:24-01:10 P. Madej (Huddersfield, UK, 15cm
reflector, x35, x52, x73 and x110, seeing IV-V, transparency very
good). Note that the observing date was also written as Jul 14th in the
original report? Puiseaux was very clear in white light, but could not
see the cenrtral peak. The central peak though was visible through a
Wratten 15 (yellow) filter. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1975 Sep 29 at 21:15-21:55UT P.W. Foley (Kent, UK, using a 12"
reflector, x200, seeing III), saw colour on Plato - blue on the inner
south west rim and red on the inner south east rim. No colour was seen
elsewhere on the Moon. This was a BAA Lunar Section Observation.
ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Vitello 1939 Jul 11 UT 09:30 Observed by Haas? (NM, USA, 12"?
reflector) "S. part of dark area was I=2.5, but diff. values other
times. (see #453, & #457). Cond. were similar." NASA catalog weight=4
(high). NASA catalog ID #452.
On 1956 Jul 30 at UT 19:13 Dzapiashvili (Pulkova, Russia) observed the
following in Posidonius: "Short term sharp changes in polarization in
crater (in ashen light)". The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=643 and weight=5.
The ALPO/BAA weight=5.
On 1882 Nov 07 at UT 05:00 Hopkins (UK) observed the dark
eastern limb and a line of light and attributed this to a lunar
atmosphere. Further details can be found in: Reference: Sirius
16, 279, 1883. Cameron 1978 catalog ID=229 and weight=3.
ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Mare Tranquilitatis 1951 Nov 25 UT 10:54:45 L.T. Johnson (USA)
suspected a flash in Earthshine in Mare Tranquilitatis. ALPO/BAA
weight=2.
On 1913 Mar 20 at UT 19:00? Franks saw the south horn of the Moon to be
prolonged along the Leibnitz Mountains as a feeble line of light well
into the dark side. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=335 and the weight=1.
The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
In 1821 Feb 05 at UT18:00? Garding (Breman, Germany, x132) saw a cloudy
spot in Aristarchus crater. Olbers (Breman, Germany, x44 refractor)
though thought this description was due to the magnification used,
however they themselves did report a 6th magnitude star (Mems.
R.A.S., 1-159).(25). 3-4'in diameter. Browne (England) also saw the
event. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=84 and weight=5. The ALPO/BAA
weight=4.
On 1987 Feb 02 at UT 00:15 D. Darling of Sun Prairre, WI, USA (12.5"
reflector x70, seeing=excellent and Transparemcy=4/10), saw Aristarchus
as the brightest feature in Earthshine glowing at about magnitude 5-6
with a sea-blue colour, against the darker background of Earthshine.
Cameron 2006 extension catalog ID=294 and weight=1. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1987 Feb 02 at UT 00:15 D. Darling of Sun Prairre, WI, USA (12.5"
reflector x70, seeing=excellent and Transparemcy=4/10), saw Copernicus,
Delambra and Tycho ray looked like a glowing aurora streamer (confirmed
by photos from Ossola (of Switzerland). Copernicus brightness less than
Aristarchus, against the darker background of Earthshine. Cameron 2006
extension catalog ID=294 and weight=1. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1987 Feb 02 at UT 00:15 D. Darling of Sun Prairre, WI, USA (12.5"
reflector x70, seeing=excellent and Transparemcy=4/10), saw Copernicus,
Delambra and Tycho ray looked like a glowing aurora streamer (confirmed
by photos from Ossola (of Switzerland). Delambra brightness less than
Aristarchus, against the darker background of Earthshine. Cameron 2006
extension catalog ID=294 and weight=1. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1987 Feb 02 at UT 00:15 D. Darling of Sun Prairre, WI, USA
(12.5" reflector x70, seeing=excellent and Transparemcy=4/10),
saw Manilius glowing sea-blue in brightness, matching Menelaus in
brightness, but less than Aristarchus, against the darker
background of Earthshine. Cameron 2006 extension catalog ID=294
and weight=1. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1987 Feb 02 at UT 00:15 D. Darling of Sun Prairre, WI, USA
(12.5" reflector x70, seeing=excellent and Transparemcy=4/10),
saw Manilius glowing sea-blue in brightness, matching Manilius in
brightness, but less than Aristarchus, against the darker
background of Earthshine. Cameron 2006 extension catalog ID=294
and weight=1. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1987 Feb 02 at UT 00:15 D. Darling of Sun Prairre, WI, USA (12.5"
reflector x70, seeing=excellent and Transparemcy=4/10), saw Copernicus,
Delambra and Tycho ray looked like a glowing aurora streamer (confirmed
by photos from Ossola (of Switzerland). Tycho brightness less than
Aristarchus, against the darker background of Earthshine. Cameron 2006
extension catalog ID=294 and weight=1. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1821 Feb 06 at UT 18:00-19:00 At 18:00UT H. Kater (London, UK),
Olbers (Bremen, Germany), Browne (UK), commented that Aristarchus
looked like a 6-7th magnitude lumninous star, some 3-4' in diameter. At
19:00UT Aristarchus looked like a cloudy spot according to Ward and
Bailley (England, large telescope, x80). The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=
84-85 and the weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1961 Apr 19 at UT 20:00? an unknown observer reported in Aristarchus
a light flash for 15 seconds. Cameron suspects a meteor? The Cameron
1978 catalog ID=735 and weight=1. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1981 Apr 08 at UT 21:45-22:00 P.W. Foley (Kent, UK, 12" reflector)
found Aristarchus to be very bright, blue and variable. For example a
CED brightness measurement at 21:45 was 0.5 and at 22:00 was 0.2. He
also saw some white flashes on the eastern wall lasting each 2 sec in
duration, Cameron 2006 catalog ID=128 and weight=1. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1981 Jun 06 at UT 21:30 G.W. Amery (Reading, UK, 10" reflector,
seeing III) observed that Aristarchus was "quite distinctly even in
twilight & Moon's altitude. Remaining dark areas were just visible".
The 2006 Cameron catalog ID=142 and weight=0. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1987 Feb 03 at 00:30UT J. de Carlo (Little Falls, NJ, USA, 4.5"
refractor, x260, x350, seeing-very good) observed a very bright yellow
light in the centre of Mare Crisium (near a raised crevice), almost
like a "gigantic nuclear bomb explosion "which expanded (to 1/8th the
diameter of mare Crisium) and then reduced in size. The flare fickered
at a rate of 1/10s. apparently the edge of this TLP looked rough,
almost like emittyed debris. The TLP was fixed in position on the Moon.
TLP confirmed by observer's father. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=295 and
the weight=3. the ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 2002 Feb 26th at 18:41:25 UT Michael Hather saw, on the limits of
vision, a brief magnitude 7 white flash about 300 km north west of
Aristarchus, in Earthshine. He was using a 120 mm refractor. No
other observers were observing at this time.
Nebulous appearance. Cameron 1978 catalog assigns
an ID No. of 12 and a weight of 1. ALPO/BAA catalog
assigns a weight of 1.
On 1867 Apr 09 at UT 19:30-21:00 Elger(Liverpool? UK, 4"? aperture
telescope) observed that Aristarchus was shining like a 7th magnitude
star-like point, becoming fainter, almost extinguished at 9PM. He had
seen lights before but never so strong. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=151
and he weight=4. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1979 Jun 30 at UT0246-0319 D. & D. Darling (Sun Praire, WL, USA,
12.5" reflector, 80x and 150x, S=5/10). A weak blue glow seen in the
Aristarchus region. It was fainter than that in May 1979 but was
relatively easier to see. There was one "streamer" going south and
another to the south west, and then smaller ones within the crater.
These streamers started to fade from view at 03:04UT and the blow glow
changed to a blow spot and Aristarchus became normal by 03:19 UT.
Cameron 2006 catalog ID=56 and weight=1. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Censorinus 1959 Sep 08 UT 22:45-23:50 Observed by Jean Nicolini
(Brazil) "Much brighter than Proclus" NASA catalog weight=2.
NASA catalog ID #721. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Theophilus 1966 Jan 28 UTC 01:24-03:45 Observed by Cross &
Ariola (Whittier, CA, USA, 19" reflector, x300, S=6-4, T=4, "3
red patches appearing and dissappearing at different times.
Obscurred at sunrise on it. Later, red patch appeared on the
floor." NASA catalog weight=5. NASA catalog ID #920. ALPO/BAA
weight=3.
Ross D 1967 Dec 8 UT 02:30-02:40 Observer: Harris (Tucson?,
AZ?), colourless bright area SW of Ross D with repeated
condensations that appeared then dissipated in thirty seconds to
a minute. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
2018 Jun 19 UT 04:00 G. Cross, using a 60" f/16 Cass, Strehl >
0.9, under descent seeing conditions, found that the ghost
crater was not visible - was this an obscuration or just
normal apeparance? ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Theophilus 1964 May 18 UT 01:05-01:15 Observed by Dieke
(Baltimore, MD, USA, 6" refractor, x125) "Crescent of crsimson
color on SW between rim & flor. Was not present at 0500, nor
did it reappear from 0115 to 0245h" NASA catalog weight=3.
ALPO/BAA weight=3. NASA catalog ID #812.
Limb North? 1881 Jul 04 UT 00:30 Observed by Several observers
(Lebanon, CT, USA, naked eye, alt @ 10 deg) "2 pyramidal protruberances
on upper limb (dark?). Points were darker than rest of moon's face then
slowly faded away (atm ? moon very low)" NASA catalog weight=? NASA
catalog ID #223.
Alphonsus 1965 Apr 08 UTC 20:00? Observed by Hoffman (Germany?) "Saw
variable shining bright lights". NASA catalog weight=1 (very low). NASA
catalog ID #873.
Aristarchus 1965 Apr 08 UTC 20:00? Observed by Hoffman (Germany?) "Saw
variable shining bright lights". NASA catalog weight=1 (very low). NASA
catalog ID #873.
Censorinus 1965 Apr 08 UTC 20:00? Observed by Hopmann (Czecholovakia?)
"Green flash or brightening (date correct ? written 8-4-65. First taken
as American convention, thus as Aug. 4, but now think it was in
European convention of day first then month)." NASA catalog weight=2
(low). NASA catalog ID #873a.
Hyginius N 1965 Apr 08 UTC 20:00? Observed by Hoffman (Germany?) "Saw
variable shining bright lights". NASA catalog weight=1 (very low). NASA
catalog ID #873.
Linne 1965 Apr 08 UTC 20:00? Observed by Hoffman (Germany?) "Saw
variable shining bright lights". NASA catalog weight=1 (very low). NASA
catalog ID #873.
Proclus 1965 Apr 08 UTC 20:00? Observed by Hoffman (Germany?) "Saw
variable shining bright lights". NASA catalog weight=1 (very low). NASA
catalog ID #873.
In 1878 Oct 03 at UT 20:00 an Unknown observer noted that Hyginus Nova
had the most conspicuous of all appearances, and there was no trace of
it on 1878 Oct 04. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=201 and weight=3. The
ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Mare Crisium 1989 Jan 14 UTC 19:15 Observed by Hedley-Robinson (Devon,
UK, 5" Coude, Antoniadi II seeing, x150) "Floor blinks indicating
colour - used a Moon blink device". 2 areas of the floor were affected,
The first one was on the far west of Mare Crisium, next to Proclus
crater. The second area was in the NNW, but outside the edge of the
mare. Other features elsewhere checked but gave no colour reaction.
Peters (UK) though did detect colour elsewhere, but his seeing was III-
IV. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=344 and the weight=5. The ALPO/BAA
weight=3.
Proclus 1972 Aug 17 UT 20:05-21:10 Observed by Haiduk (13.25E, 52.5N,
60mm refractor, S=1, T=3) "Well visible bright area at the NE wall, end
of event uncertain for seeing became poor" Hilbrecht & Kuveler Moon &
Planets (1984) Vol 30, pp53-61.
On 1867 Apr 12 at UT 19:30-21:00 Elger (Liverpool? UK, 4" aperture
telescope) observed Aristarchus in Earthshine "grew fainter 7th mag.
star; much fainter in last 15 min. & barely perceptible at 9PM. Had
seen something similar on former occ." The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=152
and the weight=4. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
In 1878 Oct 04 at UT 20:00 an Unknown observer noted that Hyginus Nova
could not be seen, whereas the night before the crater had the most
conspicuous of all appearances. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=201 and
weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Williams of the UK, on 1882 Sep 20 at Moon's age 8.4 days, noticed a
spot that had been seen on the 21st and 23rd of the same year with
abnormal brightness. The spot was near Picard. Williams comments the
spot was "nearly as large but a little fainter than Picard, This
observation was reported in the Astronomical Register of the Royal
Astronomical Society and is not included in the Cameron catalogs. It is
one of many measurements of the brightness of this spot for different
illumination angles and is one of three outlying brightness points
spotted on a graph by Willaims. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Plato 1964 May 20 UT 01:00-01:30 Observed by Bartlett (Baltimore, MD,
USA, 2.4" refractor x117, S=6, T=5). "Orange-red color on W. wall.
Vivid" NASA catalof weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #813.
Eratosthenes 1976 Jun 06 UT 02:01 Observed by Bartlett
(Baltimore, MD, USA, 3" reflector x54-300, S=5, T=5) "Bowel was
full of shadow but a small 5 deg bright spot on NE floor.
Nothing seen in 1975 at nearly same col. but shadow was deeper."
NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #1432.
On 1960 Aug? 01 at UT 22:00? an unknown observer detected that Vitello
was illuminated -it should have been in shadow? Cameron says that if
several days before sunrise then the date could have been July through
to December, with August 1st most likely, and ancilary data is
therefore given for this date. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=729 and
weight=1. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Plato 1979 Apr 06 UT 18:00-21:00 Observed by Crick (Belgium, seeing II-
III) Part of floor darker than normal and obscuration on inner west
wall - the effect did not change during the observation. Drawing made.
Cameron 2006 catalog ID=49 and weight=3. ALPO-BAA weight=2.
On 1989 Jan 16 at UT 20:00 G. North (Herstmonceux, UK, 30" reflector)
observed Toricelli B to change in brightness and found colour in it. A
10 minute exposure spectrum was taken (Cameron does not have
information on whether anything unusual was recoeded) before clouds
obscured the Moon. Normally a 30 minute exposure would be needed. The
Cameron 2006 catalog ID=345 and the weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
2007 Oct 20 UT 17:31 A.Pink (Basinkstoke, UK) images a flash on
the dark size of the Moon near to Vitello. The
ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1982 Mar 04 at UT 20:00 M.C. Cook (Frimley, UK) found Censorinus
(4.6) to be brighter than Proclus (4.0) in white light. The Cameron
2006 catalog ID=164 and weight=4. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1982 Mar 04 at UT 20:00 M.C. Cook (Frimley, UK) found Proclus
(4.0) to be fainter than Censorinus (4.6) in white light. The
Cameron 2006 catalog ID=164 and weight=4. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Observed by G.H. Johnstone of Albuquerque, NM, USA on 1954 Nov 05 UT
20:00 (according to Cameron), but 02:00-04:00 according to the
original observation and at colongitudes 34.7 to 35.7 deg. 4"
reflector, x150 used. The obsewrver reported that the western part
(about 1/3rd of the interior) was pitch black with shadow. However
there was a zone about as wide, or perhaps only a fourth of the total
width that was distinctly a lighter bluish shade, almost like twilight.
The shadows of the peaks on the western edge of the rim were clearly
seen crossing this bluish shadowed area. Then this area ended sharply,
and the farside was bathed in light from the rising sun. The shadows of
the peak were sharply defined across the twilight zone, and the edge of
the pitch black shadow was easily defined but not as sharp as the
darker shadows crossing the the blue twilight zone. The observer
checked other craters but did not see this condition in any of them -
they all had the abrupt division between black and white that we would
normally expect to see. Cameron 1978 catalog ID=579 and weight=2.
Reference 1962 edition of ALPO's Journal: The Stolling Astronomer.
ALPO/BAA weight=3.
P. Moore at 21:10 found the southern wall (and ontothe southern floor)
of the crater to be indistinct. Elsewhere in the crater everything was
sharp. The effect was still seen at 21:42UT, but less strong. A check
was made for colour with aq Moonblink device, but none was seen. There
was still a trace of this effect at 21:44UT, although detail was now
becoming visible. By 21:48UT vertical streaks were seen crossing
the floor from the obscuration area and these were more visible in the
red filter and not in the blue. Cameron comments that undefined patches
on the floor of Plato are not normal. By 21:55UT some craterlets on the
floor started to become visible and the TLP for Moore ended by UT22:23.
P.Foley was alerted by Moore and saw a "amssive dense obsecuration
on the south wall, south floor and south outer glacis to the Mare".
Foley noted that by 21:50UT the effect was fading and finished by
22:03UT. Foley reported an orange translucent haze covering half of the
floor, but floor craterlets could be seen on and off - however his
atmospheric seeing conditions were IV. At 22:00 UT Foley reported the
floor close to the north wall to be "milky or misty". No detail was
visible at 21:15UT and variability in the floor continued until
23:10UT. Hedly-Robinson was aleted at 21:35UT and found no difference
between red and blue views of the area, however he did find that the
south rim was indistinct although this effect had lessened by 22:00 UT
and was normal by 22:17UT. M. Mobberly saw a white spot on the floor at
21:20 UT, whereas he normally would have expected to see craterlets.
Mobberly was alerted at 21:40 UT and took some colour photos. He also
made sketches that showed variability in the floor and dark lines and
patches in the north west corner. However the altitude of the Moon was
low. Cameron mentions that two of the photos show loss of detail at the
south wall and beyond.and also a change in the floor markings.The north
wall at 21:50UT was strangely reddish (didn't think this was spurious
colour). The rest of the wall was sharp at 22:20UT through a yellow
filter. Large bright patch in the centre and rest of the floor was
apparently of the same shading as Mare Imbrium. The above notes are
based upon the Cameron 2006 catalog extension TLP ID 145 and weight=4.
ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Ross D 1966 Nov 23 UT 04:50-05:02 Observed by Cross (Whittier,
CA, USA, 19" reflector, x250 & 2390, S=4-5 (sometimes 6), T=4,
excellent contrast) Activity level 5, eastern third of Ross D's
circumference possibly partly obscured. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1964 Jan 24 at 20:00? Scarfe (UK) obtained spactra showing
luminescence? The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=796 and weight=5. The
ALPO/BAA weight=3.
C. Brook of Plymouth UK, using a 4" refractor x216, noticed at UT 20:10
dark patches coming and going (in terms of visibility) on the floor of
Plato. Occasional views of the central cratelet (seen as a white spot)
were glimpsed. The dark patches seen lasted about 1-2 seconds before
fading out during each visibility cycle. Teneriff Mountains were
checked but no sign of seeing effects that might explain the dark floor
patches. By 20:26UT the dark patch effect was fading and by 20:31UT
floor detail was visible. Observations ceased at UT 20:34. Seeing
conditions were II and the Moon was at a high altitude. Other observers
were alerted but came on-line after the effect had finished. ALPO/BAA
weight=1.
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.
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.
On 1980 Jul 23 at UT22:00 G.W. Amery (Reading, UK, 8" reflector, x144
and x207, seeing=III-V and transparency=fair) found that the interior
shadow was a light grey. BAA TLP coordinator (Foley) suggests that this
was light reflecting from the illuminated walls? Cameron 2006 catalog
TLP ID=102 and weight=1. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Aristarchus visible just past terminator. West wall was
brighter than normal. Bright flash seen in/on NW wall -
apparently in the same place as Pedler's May 17th sketch.
Cameron 2006 extension catalog ID=146 and weight=4.
Observed by M. Price of Camberley, Surrey, UK with
a 6" reflector and a Moon Blink device. Seeing=III.
Plato 1981 Jun 13 UT 20:48-21:08 Observed by Price (Camberley, England,
152mm reflector, seeing III) Possible Moon blink (red) seen
on north wall. Also the craterlets on the floor could be seen
despite the observing conditions not being optimal. BAA Lunar Section
observation. Cameron 2006 extension catalog ID=146 and weight=4.
ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1984 Jan 14 at UT 20:00 P. Moore (Selsey, UK) observed that
Aristarchus was brighter than it normally is at sunrise. No
quantitative measurements were made though. The Cameron 2006 catalog
ID=238 and weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
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.
Observer noted a bright spot on the interior west wall that seemed
brighter than what they would have expected. unfortunately the precise
time of this observation was not recorded so the moon-rise and
midnight UT values are used to place a limit on the time of
observation. Images by Shaw taken at UT 1754, 18:45 and 23:13
do not exhibit the effect.
On 1977 Apr 29 at UT21:40-23:20 an unknown UK observer reported a TLP
in Gassendi crater. The following are reports by observers attempting
to confirm activity: J.W. Napper (Didcot, UK, 30cm reflector, x287,
Wratten 25 and 44a, conditions clear 5+) received a telephone alert
call at 22:00 but the sky was cloudy until 22:30. An initial look
revealed nothing unusual, then at 22:54 he observed a colour blink just
inside the north wall, appearing bright in red and normal in blue or
white light. No loss of detail seen and the effect lasted only 2
minutes. A sketch was made. However the observer stresses that the very
bad seeing casts some doubt on this observation. L. Fitton observed
using a 8.5" reflector, with Moon blink device at x200, seeing was I-
II. All areas negative, including Gassindi from 21:40-21:55 and again
22;00-22:25 and finally 22:50-23:30 negative. Mike Brown (Huntington,
York, UK, 30cm reflector, x220 and x350, seeing 3-4/5, and transparency
5/5) - observed from 22:00-23:25UT no colour seen, nor obsecuration,
all filters negative, despite seeing a lot of fine setail inside this
crater.
Gassendi 1976 Oct 04 UT 20:55-20:58 Observed by Robinson (Devon,
England) - observer noted that the east outside wall was bright in red
and normal in blue. Note that the Moon was 30 deg above the horizon at
the time of the observation. The crater returned to normal at 20:58.
Also seen by Moore (Selsey, UK) and Foley (Kent, UK). At 21:25-21:50 D.
Sims (Dawlish, UK, 25cm reflector, x300, seeing IV and some cloud at
times) noticed a possible obscuration over the southern part of
Gassendi. He had been observing earlier at 18:40-19:30 but had not
detected a TLP in Gassendi then. 22:11UT Robinson notices that the spot
outside the east wall is again bright in red., though by 22:25 it had
faded and was gone by 22:28UT. The Cameron 1978 catalog further
quotes: "Vivid red spots & general red color seen around rim by 2 obs.
At 2209h blood red small area was seen. 1 h later the most westerly
(IAU?) of the peaks had become hazy white all other areas were sharp.
(Indep. confirm.)." Cameron 1978 catalog weight=5 and catalog ID #1454.
The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Gassendi 1966 May 01 UT 19:30-00:21 Observed by Sartory (UK,
8.5" reflector, x500, S=G), Moore, Moseley (Northern Ireland,
12.5" reflector x350, S=E) and by Corralitos Observatory
(Organ Pass, NM, USA, 24" reflector + moon blink) "Eng.
moonblink & obscuration, also vis. confirm (Moore & Moseley
alerted by Sartory. Corralitos MB did not confirm. - but they
may not have been observing at the ame time?)." NASA catalog
weight=5. NASA catalog ID #932. ALPO/BAA weight=4.
On 1978 May 18 at UT20:45-21:53 J.D. Cook (Frimley, UK, 12"
reflector, x240) observed Promitorium Laplace to have
visually a brown colour - though no Moon Blink (red and blue
filters) effect was detected. Cameron comments that this is
probably a subjective effect - also others have reported
something similar at times. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=30
and weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Plato 1998 Jul 05 P. Moore (Selsey, UK, 15" reflector, x200-
x400, seeing II/III) comments that he is puzzled why the floor
of Plato, which is light gray in shade, looks completely blank
tonight. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1980 Jul 24 at UT02:00 F. Graham (East Pittsburgh, PA, USA, 6"
reflector) took some photos (albeit out of focus) that showed a bright
spot on the west rim. Cameron comments that this spot was sharp
compared to the rest of the photograph, so was probably a photographic
artifact. The effect was not seen in the finder scope. The Cameron 2006
catalog ID=103 and weight=2. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
M. Cook of Frimley, UK observed a brightening of the crater during
this observing session. The cameron 2006 extended catalog ID=346 and
weight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Aristarchus 1966 May 01 UT 21:55-22:45 Observed by Paterson,
Brown, Sartory, Ringsdore (England, 12" reflector x252 for the
former and 8.5"? reflector for the latter) "Eng. moon blink
system detected red spots with vis. by all but Ringsdore. Brown
saw intense white spot NW of crater wall" NASA catalog weight=5.
NASA catalog ID 933. ALPO/BAA weight=4.
Gassendi 1939 Sep 25 UT 01:30 Observed by Haas (New Mexico? 12"
reflector?) "NE part pf c.p. had I=9.4 comp. with I=6.4 (normal? in #
458. under similar obs. cond. (& phase. thus real diff.)" NASA catalog
weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #462.
Herodotus 1969 Jan 01 UT 03:15 Observed by Taboada (Mexico)
"Brightness in edge of crater dimmed & a heavy darkness was
noted thru course of cleft (Schroter's Valley?). (alerted for
tidal predict.?)"NASA catalog weight=1. NASA catalog ID #
1113. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1980 Jul 24 at UT22:10-22:55 P. Moore (Selsey, UK, 15" reflector,
x360 and x400) found an area just south east of the central peak (and
upto the wall) to be quite dark in blue light, but normal brightness in
red light or in white light. All other features were normal colour-
wise. At 22:55UT Tycho was normal again. Cameron 2006 catalog ID=103
and weight=4. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Foley (Kent, UK) saw the west wall dull and stongly coloured. Moore
(Sussex, UK) saw the wall as normal. However Cameron points out that
Foley (Kent, UK) is a lot more Blue/UV sensitive than Moore. Mosely
(Covington, UK) at 22:10 UT noticed a brightening on the East wall and
at 01:10-01:25 UT suspected that the interior had a weak yellow-green
cast to it. Cook (Frimley, UK) states that orange colour was within the
interior crater, but green beyond the east rim at the 9 O'Clock and
the south east corner to floor blue/mauvre beyond the northern rim
NW/WSW. Foley sstates that orange and blue/mauvre might be spurious
colour, but green one cannot get this way. Cameon suggests chromatic
aberatons as a possibility but thinks that the observers concerned were
experienced enough to recognize this if it were the cause. Cameron 2006
catalog extension ID=239 and weight=0. Moore used a 15?" refletor and
Foley used a 12" refletor. Mosely experienced II seeing and good
transparency. Cook had III seeing and also good transparency. P.
Grego made an observation this night too. The
ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Plato 1981 Jun 14 UT 21:58 Observed by Foley (Kent, England,
11.75" Newtonian, Seeing III, Transparency Good) "Obscuration
Seen" BAA Lunar Section Observation. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Cobra Head 1966 May 02 UT 20:05 Observed by Sartory (England, 8.5"
reflector x400) "Eng. moon blink detected red spots, seen visually
also". NASA catalog weight=4 (good). NASA catalog ID #934.
On 2016 Jul 17 UT 03:49 P.Zeller (ALPO, Indianapolis, IN, USA)
imaged a pseudo-peak with shadow on the floor of Herodotus,
however the image scale and quality of this colour image were
not great and the observer suspects that it might be an
imaging artefact. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Gassendi 1966 May 02 UT 20:18-20:19 Observed by Sartory (England, 8.5"
reflector x400) "Eng. moon blink detected red spots, seen visually
also." NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #935.
P. Foley of Kent, UK, using a 12" reflector, seeing=III-II, noticed
that initially that the crater was pretty dull and that the floor
was a slate blue-gray in colour at 22:45UT. A noticeable green spot
inside the crater on the south east appeared at 22:25UT and vanished
at 00:50UT. Cameron notes that one doesn't get green with spurious
colour. Crater Extinction brightness measurements were made at 22:00 UT
(reading=2.8) and at 23:45UT (reading=3.7). The crater dropped in
brightness from 3.7 to 2.8 at 23:50UT and remained lower until 3.0 at
23:50-03:15 UT. A graph was produced and showed Proclus and Censorinus
at similar brightnesses, but Aristarchus variable. The Earthshine was
0.3. Cameron 2006 Extension catalog ID=31 and weight=5.
ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Cobra Head 1967 Mar 23 UT 18:40-20:47 Observed by Sartory,
Moore, Moseley (Farnham, England, 15" reflector (Sartory) seeing
very poor & 10" refractor in Armagh, N. Ireland (Moore & Mosely)
x360 - seeing Fair to Poor) "Red patch seen intermittently;
moon-blink from 1916-2047h. Position agreed with Sartory who
alerted them to Aris. area; checks on others were neg." NASA
catalog weight=5. NASA catalog ID 1020. Then Aristarchus 1967
Mar 23 UT 18:40-20:30, 21:30 by Marsh and Farrant (Cambridge,
England, 8" reflector, x330). "Suspected colour on SW (ast.)
wall. Farrant saw color in crater, completely independently,
(inform. suggests same phenom. as seen by Moore & Moseley tho
they said Cobra head). NASA Catalog weight=5. NASA catalog ID #
1021. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Gassendi 1967 Mar 23 UTC 18:40-18:50 Observed by Sartory (Farnham,
England, 15" reflector) "Heavy blink on inner S. wall. Moved toward N.
at 1845, faded at 1850." NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog
ID #1019.
S. of Aristarchus 1951 Sep 13 UTC 14:00? Observed by Osawa (Japan, 6"
reflector) "Bownish-red color, blue on NW rim of A." NASA catalog
weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #546.
Mobberley of Suffolk, UK, and using a 14" reflector and
seeing=I-II saw yellowish/brown streaks within Aristarchus. A
sketch indicates that these extended from a region on the east
floor to the north west corner, and then finally onto the
bands on the west wall. Cameron 2006 extension catalog ID=132
and weight=4. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1964 Jan 27 at 21:00? Scarfe (UK) obtained spactra showing
luminescence? The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=797 and weight=5. The
ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Gassendi 1976 Oct 06 UT 21:30 P. Moore (Selsey, UK, x400,
seeing poor) observed redness in the c.p. area. The ALPO/BAA
weight=1.
Plato 1981 Jun 15 UTC 21:30 Observed by Amery (Reading, England, 25cm
reflector, seeing Antoniadi IV-V) At the 4 O'Clock position on the
North West corner?, there was a dark smudge which reached from the
floor across and over the wall and onto the terrain outside the crater.
Foley, alerted by Amery, saw a dark show-like patch in the crater's
north west corner, again lying across the rim. 2006 Cameron catalog
extension ID=148 and weight=4. Foley used a 12" reflector and seeing
was III-V. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 2009 Jan 09 at UT 20:00 P. Brierley (UK) took a CCD image of the
Aristarchus area - P.Grego upon examining this comments that he thinks
that Schiaparelli crater looked "muted in brightness -- it is normally
quite bright to look at". Though Grego comments that it might have
something to do with the image processing aplied to the image. The
ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Manilius 1968 Nov 04 UT 00:15-00:30 Observed by Jean et al. (Montreal,
Canada, 4" refractor, 6" reflector) "Extremeley bright flash on Men. &
Man. each." NASA catalog weight=2 (low). NASA catalog ID #1101.
Menelaus 1968 Nov 04 UT 00:15-00:30 Observed by Jean et al. (Montreal,
Canada, 4" refractor, 6" reflector) "Extremeley bright flash on Men. &
Man. each." NASA catalog weight=2 (low). NASA catalog ID #1101.
Alphonsus 1966 May 03 UTC 21:30 Observed by Smith (England, 10"
reflector) and Corralitos Observatory (Organ Pass, NM, USA, 24"
reflector, Moonblink) "Reddish patches. Not confirmed by Corralitos MB
(but in their report they give the feature as Gassendi)." NASA catalog
weight=2. NASA catalog ID #936. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1987 Mar 13 at UT 20:52 M. Mobberley (Suffolk, UK, S=VG) obtained
some video that shows variation in Aristarchus crater e.g. ä visual
oddity in the SE corner" (Foley was interpreting the video). H.Hatfield
took some film of the TLP (Unstudied yet). The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=
301 and the weight=5.
On 1987 Mar 13 at UT 20:52 M. Mobberley (Sussex, UK) found that Mons
Pico varied in its north east section. This was recorded on video tape.
The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=301 and weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.