Aristarchus, Schroter's Valley, Herodotus 1881 Aug 06 UT 00:00? Observed by Klein (Cologne, Germany, 6" refractor, 5" reflector) "Whole region between these features appeared in strong violet light as if covered by a fog spreading further on 7th. Examined others around & none showed effect. Intensity not altered if Aris. placed out of view." NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #224. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1990 Sep 30 at D. Darling (Sun Praire, WI, USA, 12.5" reflector, x150) observed a red spot on the west wall (bright in red filter and faint in the blue filter. No filter reactions were found elsewhere. Gassendi had much detail visible. A sketch was made. BAA observers in the UK were alerted but they could not observe due to cloud. Cameron 2006 extension catalog ID=411 and weight=5. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Plato 1982 Jun 02 UT 22:00. Mobberley could not see the central craterlet on the floor of Plato tonight. Foley notes that he could only just see the central craterlet on nights of 2-5th Jun and it was of reduced in brightness from normal. North reported that the floor seemed nearly black, but brighter in a green filter (x144 magnification used). All three observers compared the Plato area to other areas for reference. All the above seems normal, apart from the floor being brighter in the green filter. Cameron 2006 extension catalog ID 170 and weight=5. BAA/ALPO weight=1.
On 1985 Mar 02 at 20:00UT? Marshall (Medeline, Colombia, South America) measured some very low Crater Extinction Device brightness readings of Censorinus compared to Proclus. The Cameron 2006 catalog extension ID= 261 and the weight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
A blue tinge was seen inside and outside the crater perimeter. The surrounding halo lost brightness that was observed on 1993 Jan 29. Observed on Apr 19, 20 and 28th. Cameron 2006 extension catalog ID=213 and weight=5. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1982 Apr 04 at UT 23:30-00:25 P. Madej (Huddersfield, UK, 7cm refractor & 16cm reflector) noticed the TLP in his refractor first of all at x25. So stepped up the magnification to x111 and found the crater brightness not what he was expecting. He tried different filters but found no difference in brightness. With the 16cm reflector however some changes in brightness were dected. The crater has a very pale yellow colour and it was slightly darker than Lacus Somniorum. P. Foley tried to confirm at 00:09 but the crater looked normal then. The Cameron 2006 catalog extension TLP ID is 167 and weight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Brilliant blue color seen at first for seconds, later for min 2h later, in blue filter. Cameron 1978 catalog weight=4 (high). Cameron 1978 catalog ID 572.
Furnerius 1961 May 26 UT 02:20-03:00 Observed by Cameron (Aldephi, MD, USA, 3.5" Questar reflector x160, S=G) "Crater stood out like glittering points (small craters on rim?). Many features examined but effect seen only on this crater and Stevinus (Specular refl. from flat surface?)" NASA catalog weight=1 (very low). NASA catalog ID #738.
On 1990 Jan 07 at UT 20:20-20:58 G.North (Herstmonceux, UK) thought that he detected dullness in Torricelli B crater - Cameron comments that this cannot be shadow). The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=386 and the weight=3. ALPO\/BAA weight=2.
Tycho 2971 Nov 28 UT 21:58-22:05 observed by D.B. Taylor (Dundee, UK, darker area inside the crater (NE and SE floor) in a Moon Blink device. However the observer does not report through which filter ir was darker. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Stevinus 1961 May 26 UT 02:20-03:00 Observed by Cameron (Aldephi, MD, USA, 3.5" Questar reflector x160, S=G) "Crater stood out like glittering points (small craters on rim?). Many features examined but effect seen only on this crater and Stevinus. (Specular refl. from flat surface?)" NASA catalog weight=1 (very low). NASA catalog ID #738.
Plato 1971 Oct 30 UT 19:35-20:55 E.Watkins (Braintree, UK, 4.5" reflector, x45,x150, x225), thought he saw a faint patch at 19:35 and it still was visible at 19:40. At 19:50-19:55 he saw what may have been the remainder. At 20:55 he noticed a shadow in the area. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Gassendi 1969 Nov 20 UT 17:06-17:15 Observed by Duckworth (Manchester, England, 8" refractor x250) Faint Pinkish Obscuration on floor. Event in progress at 1706 - left telescope at 1715 to report it, but TLP gone upon return. Gassendi was normal from from 1734-1822h. NASA catalog weight=4. NASA catalog ID #1223. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Plato 1980 May 25 UT 21:33-22:54 Observed by North (Seaford, UK, seeing III-IV, 460mm Newtonian) Definite strong reddish glow along NNW border, definitely much stronger than spurious colouration and always visible when telescope moved in RA and Dec to eliminate possible chromatic aberation effects in the eyepiece. Effect ended by 21:54 UT. BAA Lunar Section Report. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Aristarchus, Schroter's Valley, Herodotus 1881 Aug 07 UT 00:00? Observed by Klein (Cologne, Germany, 6" refractor, 5" reflector) "Whole region between these features appeared in strong violet light as if covered by a fog spreading further on 7th. Examined others around & none showed effect. Intensity not altered if Aris. placed out of view." NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #224.
On 1933 Oct 01 at UT 03:00 Rawstron (USA, 4" refractor, x330) observed the following in Mons Pico B: "Haze -- much narrower & elongated than on Sep. 1". The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=407 and weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Observed by Haas (Las Cruces, NM, USA) "Temporary greyness seen in interior shadow." ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1955 Oct 28 at UT00:00? Kozyrev (Crimea, Soviet Union, 50" reflector) detected in Aristarchus Fraunhofer lines in UV spectra that were much narrower than in the solar spectrum. This indicated luminescent glow which overlapped contour(?) lines. Greatest after Full Moon, but fluctuated monthly with no indication of solar activity effect. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=621 and the weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=5.
On 1955 Oct 28 at UT 00:06 W. Taylor saw a naked eye flash on the Moon in the north east area, on the edge of Mare Vaporum. The flash was intense and radiated to a large area. The duration was 1/4 seconds.
Aristarchus 1981 Mar 17 UT 22:40-23:25 Observed by Moore (Selsey, England, 15" reflector, seeing III) "Aristarchus very bright according to Crater Extinction Device and a coloured blink detected" BAA Lunar Section TLP report. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 2016 Jun 17 UT 05:00 A.Anunziato (AEA, Argentina Meade ETX 105, seeing 7/10, sketch made) observed a very tiny light spot where the shadow from topographic relief to the south of Vallis Schroteri nerges into the crater rim shadow on the floor of Herodotus. There should be no light spot here. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Aristarchus Area 2004 Nov 22 UT 04:58-05:49 Observed by Gray (Winemucca, NV, USA, 152mm f/9 refractor, seeing 4-5, trasparency 4-5, x114, x228) "Blinked Herodotus with Wratten filters Blue 38A and Red 25. The illuminated west crater wall stood out brilliantly in blue light, much more so than in white light. This was true also of Aristarchus. Red light did not increase contrasts in Herodotus any more than they were in white light. Shadows in Herodotus appeared as black as the night west of the terminator and remained that way throughout the observing period. No TLP seen in Herodotus tonight. A possible TLP was seen to the west of Herodotus near the terminus of Schroters Valley. It was noted at the beginning of the observing period that there were four very bright spots of light, one near the end of Schroters Valley, the other three grouped together a little farther north. Although not far from the terminator they were definitely east of it. It was noted that all of them nearly vanished in the Blue 38A filter while Aristarchus and the rim of Herodotus gleamed brilliantly. At 5:19UT it was noted that the most brilliant of the four lights, the one near the terminus of Schroters Valley, had faded almost to invisibility in white light. When first seen it had been brighter than Aristarchus. It remained very dim after this through the remainder of the observing period, and was unchanged at 7:35-7:49UT when I again examined the area. The other three bright spots remained brilliant and unchanged."
Aristarchus 1973 Aug 10 UTC 20:14 observed by Baumeister (48.63N, 9.25E, 110mm reflector, T=2, S=2) "Orange to red colours at the crater floor disappeared until 21:04" - Hilbrecht and Kuveler, Earth, Moon & Planets, 30 (1984), p53-61. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Plato 1973 Aug 10 UT 22:45 observed by Robinson (Devon, UK). Observer noticed that the lighter areas on the floor were more distinct in red than in the blue filter. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
All observers saw a blue tinge seen inside and outside the crater. Marshall observed a bright spot in the middle of the crater floor and thought perhaps that it was a central peak. No central peak can be found on Lunar Orbiter images. Cameron 2006 Catalog extension ID=214 and weight=5. ALPO/BAA weight=4.
Proclus 1976 Sep 06 UT 02:00 Observed by Bartlett (Baltimore, MD, USA, 4.5" reflector 45-300x, S=3, T=5) "Nothing vis. on floor of 2deg brightness. Usually floor ray & Proc. A are vis. at this col. & c.p. is 5 deg bright. (must have been 2 deg tonite)." NASA catalog weight=4. NASA catalog ID #1450.
Gassendi 1939 Aug 27 UT 02:00 Observed by Haas? (NM? USA, 12" reflector?) "NE part of c.p. was I=6.4, compared with I=9.4 on 9/28/39 (see #462) under similar cond.@ NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID# 458.
Cobra Head, Aristarchus 1964 Feb 25 UT 02:37-02:38, 02:39-02:42 Observed by Budine (Binghamton, New York, USA, 4" refractor, x250, S=6, T=4) "Red flashes" NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID # 802.
Blanco, J. Vidal, of Gijon, Spain (3" refractor x72) noticed an unfamiliar very bright center near to Encke. Cameron suspects that this was Encke B crater on the basis that it is a prominent small crater near to Encke. Cameron 2006 catalog extension ID=410 and weight=2. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Mons Piton 1984 Mar 14/15 UT 19:18-01:48 Observed by Foley (Kent, England, 12" Reflector seeing I, Transparency Very Good) "Colouration and brightness seen on Piton (CED used)" BAA Lunar Section Report. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Plato 1984 Mar 14/15 UT 19:18-01:48 Observed by Foley (Kent, England, 12" Reflector seeing I, Transparency Very Good) "Obscuration and colour seen on Plato" BAA Lunar Section Report. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Daniell 1979 Jul 06 UT 21:15-22:30 Crick (Belgium, 6" reflector, Seeing=II and transparency=good.) noticed obscuration on a bright spot on the south east wall. This spot was quite prominent through a red Wratten 25 filter. The floor was very dark. Other craters were checked and were normal. A sketch was supplied and the position was the same as in other earlier reports. Cameron 2006 catalog extension ID=60 and weight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Plato 1987 Feb 10 UT 21:05-22:10. M. Cook (Frimley, UK), "NE ray distinct & also floor E of it, not distinct as on Dec 13 & Jan 11, while March 10, 11 & 12 seen by Price, North, Peters, Foley & M Cook, where rim was clear and sharp." - quote from the 2006 Cameron Catalog extension - TLP ID=297 and weight=5. Cameron gives the observers confirming this TLP as: M. Cook, G. North and Davies. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Kepler 1954 Nov 07 UT 23:20 Observed by F.A. Lugo (Caracus, Venezuela, 3.5" scope x125) Bright red star=like point just outside E.wall - visible for an hour. NASA catalog weight=3. NASA catalog ID #580. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Aristarchus 1972 Oct 19 UT 17:55-18:05 Observed by Gabriel (Wettern, Belg. 4" refractor, x166, S=E), Hitchens (Stamine Locks, Eng., 8.5" reflector, S=F), Peters (Kent, Eng., 10" relector), Amery (Reading, Emg. 10?" reflector), Flynn (england, 12" reflector) "At 17:55h noted bluish-purple color area just N. of Aris. & it reached just over N. wall, lasted 2 min. At 1800h color noted again, but not as brilliant & gone at 1801h. Seen again at 1804h & now was on E. (ast. ?) wall, lasting M 1min. Sure of its reality but not of lunar origin. All gone at 1805h. Hitchens noted a very bright spot on W. (IAU?) wall between 2 prominent bands. Blue darkening in W#38 filter, neg. in W#8,25,58 & integrated light. Other areas gave similar but lesser effects. May be due to damp geletin. (Moore thinks not LTP but many obs. have rep't blue in Aris.) Others obs. later (2100, 2215-2300, 2305h) & noted nothing unusual." NASA catalog weight=2 (low). NASA catalog ID #1346.
On 1993 Sep 28 at UT 04:30-06:10 S.Beaumont (Cambridge, UK)observed that the north east edge of Herodotus appeared as a "highland area spilling over into" the Cobra's Head border or "overlook". The shadow on the elevation was contiguous with a similar shadow over the Cobra's Head "like a darkening of the terrain. Shadow appears softer diffused without sharp bounds of most Lunar shadows. sketch. S. edge of crater started to appear at 0615". The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=468 and the weight=2. The ALPO/BAA weight=1 as the date or UT are wrong.
Vallis Schroteri 1991 Aug 23 UT 02:19-02:49. Flashing spot at end of SV fluctuated. Herzog, Darling & Weier confirmed spot but not fluctuation. Spot brighter in red than blue, but Cobra Head was bright in blue. No other region was abnormal.
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.
Aristarchus normal in red and blue filters however the Cobra Head part of Schroter's Valley was brighter in blue. Indeed it was very dull in red - Louderback says that this was not surprising as the whole areas around Aristarchus is brighter in blue. Louderback is an experienced observer of the Aristarchus area of more than 10 years. Cameron 2006 extended catalogID=63 and weight=1. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Plato 1873 Apr 10 UTC 21:00? Observed by Schmidt (Athens, Greece, 6" refractor) "Under high sun, 2 faint clouds in E. part of crater."
Aristarchus 1975 Sep 18 UT 21:00? Observed by Foley (Kent, England, 12" reflector) "Deep blue-viol. spot in NW (IAU?) interior corner." NASA catalog weight=3. NASA catalog ID #1414. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Aristarchus 1969 Nov 22 UT 18:20-21:13 Observed by D. Cutts (Chester, Eng., 8.5" reflector, x200), Moore (Sussex, Eng., 12" reflector x425), Miles (Coventry, Eng. 5" refractor), Delaye and Jourdran (Marseilles, Fr., 8" reflector) "Pulsating patch on W. wall between 2 radial bands. Faded by 2000h. Returned to normal. (Cutts). Miles saw strong pink in whole interior at 2112h. Strong blink. No blink there at 2210-2212h. Gass., Grim., & Plato were neg. Delaye & Joudan photog. it as very bright. Moore got neg. results at 2135. (confirm. of activity?, Apollo 12 watch)." NASA catalog weight=5. NASA catalog ID #1226. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
The area west of Helicon not visible despite the area being fairly bright at Full Moon time. This area was a very bright patch one night. Cameron notes: comensurability of Full Moon & Perigee. Cameron 2006 catalog extension ID=64 and weight=3. Seeing=7 and transparency=4. 2.4" refractor used. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Aristarchus 1989 Oct 13 UTC 21:00 Observed by Cook (Frimley, Surrey, UK, 20cm reflector (visual and video)) "Aristarchus had what appeared to be a outline of a ghost crater on it's eastern side - quite large and bright". Cameron 2006 extended catalog TLP ID No=378 and weight=5. ALPO/BAA weight=4.
Plato 1937 Jul 22 UT 06:20 Observed by Haas (Alliance, Ohio, USA, 12" reflector?) "Floor distinctly greenish, but was gray on June 23, 1937 at 0430 & col.84 (normal?)" NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #421. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
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.
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.
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 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.
Aristarchus area 1955 Sep 30 UTC 20:45 Observed by Firsoff (Somerset, England, 6.5" reflector, x200) "Area showed a westward yellow smear, looked darkish in red, indicating presence of green." NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #614. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Aristarchus 1972 Oct 21 UT 2:10-22:45 observed by Schnuchal (52.5N, 13.25E, 600mm f/11.7 reflector, T=1, S=3) "Bright spot with maximum intensity at 22:10 UT diminution in brightness well observable" - Hilbrecht and Kuveler, Earth, Moon & Planets, 30 (1984),p53-61. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1989 Oct 14 UT 19:00?, 22:00? P.W. Foley (Kent, U.K., using a 12" reflector) noted that although the brightness of Aristarchus crater seemed steady, that there was just too much detil to see inside the crater than one would expect. Appeared as two craters - Cameron commented that this was often seen by Bartlett. Several observers apparently confirmed this TLP? Cameron 1978 catalog extension ID=379 and weight=5. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Aristarchus 1973 Feb 15 UTC 17:07-19:31 Observed by Theiss (located at 51N 5.67E) "area 4-5 diameters of Aristarchus were coloured clearly yellow-red" 120mm reflector used. Ref Hilbrecht & Kuveler (1984) Moon and Planets Vol 30 p53-61. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Plato 1973 Aug 13 UT 22:25-22:35 observed by Pedler (Devon, UK). Observer noticed a slight blink on a lighter patch on the floor just beneath the south(?) rim using Moon blink filters. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
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.
Aristarchus-Herodotus 1969 Jan 04 UT 03:00-03:45 Observed by Taboada (Mexico) & Corralitos Observatory (Organ Pass, NM, USA, 24" reflector + Moon Blink) "Brightness increased slightly around Herod. & cleft (S.V?) became darker than previous day. The dark gray & pink formed yellowish at 0345h in whole region of Aris. Bluing around crater in Corralitos MB (photos?) (confirm. of activity at Aris.?)" NASA catalog weight=5. NASA catalog ID #1115. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Aristarchus-Herodotus 1969 Jan 04 UT 03:00-03:45 Observed by Taboada (Mexico) & Corralitos Observatory (Organ Pass, NM, USA, 24" reflector + Moon Blink) "Brightness increased slightly around Herod. & cleft (S.V?) became darker than previous day. The dark gray & pink formed yellowish at 0345h in whole region of Aris. Bluing around crater in Corralitos MB (photos?) (confirm. of activity at Aris.?)" NASA catalog weight=5. NASA catalog ID #1115. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1978 Aug 19 at UT02:45-04:00 Porter (Naragansetts, RI, USA, using a 6" reflector, Seing = 6/10) noticed blue on the north east corner of Aristarchus and an orange glow on the south east wall. They detected no movement or change in brightness. The observer used both eyes, to make sure it was not an eye defect, and three filters: red Wratten 25, blue Wratten 82 and Violet Wratten 47. Porter found that the colours faded for a duration of 5 minutes and then returned. Their right eye gave a good view and using their left eye they suspected that it was 0.5 steps brighter than the remainder of the crater. The suspected colour remained visible, even under moments of good seeing conditions. The colour eventually faded over time and was eventually gone. Porter reportd seein gcolour here on the following night. Apparently other bright spots showed no colour. Fitton suggests that the filters used confirm that the south east wass was definitely red in colour. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=37 and the weight=0. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1988 May 11 (UT 20:30-20:55) C. Brook (Plymouth, UK, 60mm refractor, x28) found Aristarchus to be brighter than he would have expected. Compared to Proclus and Tycho. He observed from 20:55-22:38 and found it to be normal in brightness over this time. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Aristarchus 1973 Nov 10 UTC 20:00? Observed by Coates (England, 8" reflector x200, Moon at gigh altitude above horizon). "Attracted to crater because of an orange hue extending towards Herod. Has seen this at other times. Thinks not a LTP, but actual color on ground."NASA catalog weight=2 (low). NASA catalog ID #1381.
Proclus 1955 Nov 01 UTC 02:50-03:05 Observed by Bartlett (Baltimore, MD, USA, 3.5" reflector x100, S=6, T=5) "Proc. D normally 5 deg bright was vis. tonite only in blue light, whereas usually is vis. in integrated light. However at col. 110.5 deg it was a dark spot (see # 816) C.p. tonite was normal 5 deg bright but in Oct. lun. was dark". NASA catalog weight=4 (good). NASA catalog ID #625. Note Proclus D does not refer to the crater Proclus D as defined by the IAU, but probably to a spot inside the crater that Bartlett designated D!
Enhancement of spectrum in UV and CaI recorded on photoelectric spectrometer scans by Grainger and Ring in Italy. Effect seen on Aristarchus. Cameron 1978 catalog ID=740 and weight=5. ALPO/BAA weight=5.
Aristarchus 1962 May 20 UTC 08:00? Observed by Wildey, Pohn (Mt Wilson, CA ?, 60" reflector? Photometer) "Reddish color in Aris. 0.88 magnitudes brighter than normal (photometry)." NASA catalog weight=5 (very good). NASA catalog ID #758. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Bullialdus 1962 May 20 UTC 08:00? Observed by Wildey, Pohn (Mt Wilson, CA ?, 60" reflector? Photometer) "1.05 magnitudes brighter than normal (photometry)." NASA catalog weight=5 (very good). NASA catalog ID #758. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Kepler 1962 May 20 UTC 08:00? Observed by Wildey, Pohn (Mt Wilson, CA ?, 60" reflector? Photometer) "1.03 magnitudes brighter than normal (photometry)." NASA catalog weight=5 (very good). NASA catalog ID #758.
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.
Alphazen Alpha 1972 Oct 23 UT 22:10?-22:13? (Stoke-on-Trent, UK, 21cm Newtonian, x217, seeing very good). Flickering colours seen on the north field of Alhazen Alpha mountain. Above UTs estimated by the observer, but the duration of the effect was 3 minutes. Colouration centred on the hills that run north to south between Mare Anguis and Mare Crisium. The colour alternated from east to west about 2 or 3 times per second. The colour was not apparent to the north or south, or indeed on any other features. Telescope field of view moved, but effect stayed in the same place on the Moon. Moon't terminator scanned for 15 minutes afterwards, but the effect did not recur. The colour seen was mostly red, with a band of orange, and a strip of yellow nearest the hills, the proportions being 6:2:1. The bands seemed to arc up steep above the Moon's surface and flatten out over the mare surface either side of the hill features. No filters were used in the observation. Observer suspects some kind of diffraction spectrum to explain the larger dispersion in the red end of the spectrum. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Plato 1870 Mar 19 UT 00:00? Observed by Gledhill? (halifax, England, 9" refractor) "Same group (of craters) as in Feb. illuminated. (if phase same as Apr. 1970 then date is Mar 19" NASA catalog weight=2. NASA catalog ID #165. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Schroter's Valley: Cobra Head 1824 Nov 08 UTC 00:00? Observed by Gruithuisen (Munich, Germany) "Mingling of all colors in small spots. Described a violet glimmer near Cobra Head & plateau that spreads; starts just after sunrise. Cameron 1978 catalog weight=4 and catalog ID=103. The ALPO/BAA catalog weight=3.
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.
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.
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.
1936 Oct 04 UT07:42 W.Haas drew bands, many smaller spots on floor. Pickering's atlas 9D col 141 shows bands but no bright spots. Haas' location Aliance, OH, USA. Reference: Haas, W. J.Royal Astr. Soc. Canada. Cameron 1978 catalog ID=416 and weight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
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.
On 1904 Aug 01 at 05:00? Pickering (Echo Mt., CA, USA) UT Plato: "Bright hazy obj., 2" diam. on floor, Obs before & after were normal". The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=318 and the weight=4. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Messier A 1951 Oct 20 UT 00:00? Observed by Moore (England) "Brilliant white circular patch in it. has seen it & Messier blurred several times." NASA catalog weight=4 (good). NASA catalog ID #545 Note that the date and time given are probably wrong as the Sun is ~7deg below the local horizon at this time. ALPO/BAA weight=1 to reflect this error.
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.
Aristarchus 1976 Aug 15 UT 23:00-23:45 Observed by Garbott (2) (Bedfordshire, England, 10" reflector x500, seeing Antoniadi I) and by Moore (Sussex, England, 15" reflector, x360, seeing Antoniadi IV) "Noted blue color on N. wall extending toward Herod. Also saw orange color in S. region. Confirmed by father. (similar to many of Bartlett's rept's.), More noted nothing unusual at 2320h." NASA catalog weight=4. NASA catalog ID #1444. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
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.
On 1878 Oct 18 at UT 21:00? Gaudibert (France?, 4"refractor) observed Webb's white spot on SW border of Wargentin to be brilliant, however this had vanished by Oct 19. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=204 and the weight=4. The 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 1878 Oct 18 at UT 21:00? Gaudibert (France?, 4" refractor) observed Webb's white spot on SW border of Wargentin that had been brilliant the previous night, had completely vanished tonight. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=204 and the weight=4. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
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.
Aristarchus 1897 Sep 22 UT 00:41 Observed by Molesworth (Trincomali, Shri Lanka, 9" reflector, conditions very good) "A Glimmering knotted streak seen beneath and parallel to the W wall. At the centre of the E. Edge of the shadow was another faint glowing effect – probably coincident with the central peak. The crater was more than half filled with shadow." NASA catalog weight=3. NASA catalog ID #290. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1968 Dec 23 at UT 01:30-01:56 Wick (Rapid City, SD, USA) noted Aristarchus as 9-10-8th magnitude, dimming and brightening. Pulsating was a pin point. 5-7 sec bluish-green at 01:36-01:56. Lehmann (Rapid City, SD, USA) saw an increase near the centre at 01:56UT (Cameron says confirmation?). At 02:00-02:30 UT Kohlenberger Fullerton, CA, USA) saw Aristarchus B bright and prominent, 1/2 magnitude, gradually brighter than before; then diminished 1, 1/2 magnitude. C. Harris (CA, USA) at 02:00-02:30UT saw gradual brightenings, 4-5sec to come up of whole crater (Cameron Suggests confirmation).Schroter's valley was almost same brightness but Aristarchus got brighter then dimmed. Cameron says that these observations were during the Apollo 8 watch. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1108 and weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=4.
On 1968 Dec 23 at UT 02:00-02:30 C. Harris (CA, USA) saw the south east quadrant of Grimaldi brighten up 3-4 times on "rim & area elliptical out SE". This was confirmed by Wilmington. No changes seen in India at UT 14:00-16:00 by Sinvhal (Kodai Kanal, India) - though cameron does not state excatly whether they were looking at Grimaldi, Aristarchus or elsewhere on the Moon. The cameron 1978 catalog ID=1108 and weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
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 1964 Mar 26 at UT 23:58 Lecuona (Madison, New Jersey, USA, x225, seeing = good) observed a sudden red low on the south west rim of Aristarchus in the dark part of the Moon. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID= 803 and weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
In 1797 Mar 02 at UT 19:00? Caroche (France?) observed "a volcano on the Moon near Promontorium Heraclides". The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=76 and the weight=2. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Mare Tranquilitatis 1951 Dec 01 UT 01:08 L.T. Johnson (USA) suspected a flash near Cruger in Earthshine. Not sure whether stationary or moving. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
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 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 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 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.
Observer: Fallows Observing site: Cape Town, South Africa. Cameron 1978 catalog describes the event as: Bright 8th magnitude star-like point. A more detailed account is as follows: Early in the year 1821 -- and a light shone out on the moon -- a bright point of light in the lunar crater Aristarchus, which was in the dark at the time. It was seen, upon the 4th and the 7th of February, by Capt. Kater (An. Reg., 1821- 689); and upon the 5th by Dr. Olbers (Mems. R.A.S., 1-159).(25) It was a light like a star, and was seen again, May 4th and 6th, by the Rev. M. Ward and by Francis Bailey (Mems. R.A.S., 1-159).(26) At Cape Town, nights of Nov. 28th and 29th, 1821, again a star-like light was seen upon the moon (Phil. Trans., 112-237).(27).Cameron 1978 catalog ID=91 and weight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1968 Dec 24 at UT 03:00-06:00 Kohlenberger (Fullerton, CA, USA), C. Harris (CA?, USA), and Bunton (Hawaii) observed in Aristarchus: "Brightening at times, very active. Arist. a star-like; both brightening simultaneously, pulsing from 0300-0306 & starlike at N. side at 0323 (Kohlenberger). Harris saw Aris. brightening at times. (Confirm. ?), Bunton saw nothing unusual (0300-0600) (alerted for tidal predict. by Middlehurst? apollo 8 watches)". The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1109 and weight=4. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1964 Mar 18 at UT00:59 Earl and his brother (St Petersburg, FL, USA, 2.4" refractor, x35. seeing = very good) observed flashes in Aristarchus crater. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID= and weight=2. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1978 Dec 25 at UT 02:00 Taboada (Mexico) noticed that Aristarchus appeared to brighten in the dark though less intensely than Copernicus and Kepler (Cameron comments: älso brightening?). Alerted for tidal predictions by Middlehurst - Apollo 8 watch. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1111 and weight=1. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
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.
Observer: Fallows Observing site: Cape Town, South Africa. Cameron 1978 catalog describes the event as: Bright star-like point. A more detailed account is as follows: Early in the year 1821 -- and a light shone out on the moon -- a bright point of light in the lunar crater Aristarchus, which was in the dark at the time. It was seen, upon the 4th and the 7th of February, by Capt. Kater (An. Reg., 1821- 689); and upon the 5th by Dr. Olbers (Mems. R.A.S., 1-159).(25) It was a light like a star, and was seen again, May 4th and 6th, by the Rev. M. Ward and by Francis Bailey (Mems. R.A.S., 1-159).(26) At Cape Town, nights of Nov. 28th and 29th, 1821, again a star-like light was seen upon the moon (Phil. Trans., 112-237).(27).Cameron 1978 catalog ID=92 and weight=3. 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.
Proclus 2003 February 8,2003 UTC 02:09-03:07 Observed by Gray (Winnemucca, NV, USA, 152mm F9 refractor Seeing 6-7, Transparency 6 305x) "Blinked Proclus with Wratten Red 25 and Blue 38A filters. Features seen through the red filter were basically seen with the same degree of clarity as in white light, in the case of sunlit walls, maybe a little bit better in the red. With the Blue 38A filter only the brightest part of the crater walls (north end) was visible-the rest of Proclus was dark shadow. At 3:07UT I compared the brightest parts of Proclus with Censorinus and Dionysius. The brightest parts of Proclus and Dionysius were comparable. Censorinus was much less bright than either of the above craters-the halo and crater were much faded over its usual brilliant appearance. Both Censorinus and Censorinus A were visible as distinct craters at 114x. The black shadow covering the east 40% of Proclus last night had broken up into three patches separated from each other by lighter bands. These were confined to the east crater wall. Only the central patch was black, the other two were considerably lighter. Running along the southwest edge of the crater floor of the crater floor appeared to be a hill to the north of which was a less elevated plateau. As the observing period progressed part of the brilliantly illuminated north crater wall developed a darker area which gradually became more prominent. As the sun is getting higher I would expect shadows and dark areas to diminish-what was happening here is unknown. However, this is not an unusual event for this part of Proclus". The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1891 Nov 30 at UT23:00 Observer: Fallows Observing site: Cape Town, South Africa. Cameron 1978 catalog describes the event as: Bright star- like point. Cameron 1978 catalog ID=93 and weight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
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.
On 1987 Nov 28 at UT 04:16-04:45 D. Louderback (South Bend, WI, USA, 3"reflector, x150, S=E) observed that the Promontorium Agarum plateau was rather dull and grayish - usually it was "tannish" "even > sunlit areas, & twin craters at his point A which are always > spots on plateau. At 0420 whole plateau sank into complete darkness, hard to distinguish from mare plain. albedo dropped to 5 from 6.8 reading. Nearby plain was normal 5 so phenomena had not spread to it. At 0424 Cape started to reappear to albedo 6 until 0445, when it returned to normal, but not sharply defined - like through haze. Detail better in red than in blue filter, sketches. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=315 and the weight=4. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
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.
Einmart 1913 Jan 15 UTC 00:12 Observed by Pickering (Cambridge, Massachusets, 11" refractor, x330) "Spreading apron of white material like a sea of cloud. Not seen again after this date. Crater had been brightest area on moon between it & limb -- albedo 9. on Aug 5 albedo = 6. His atlas shows it bright. It grew dull after this date. He gave col. as 117? but FQ was at 1/15/?? at 10h" - note the quality of the NASA microfische is very bad and probably some of this text has been incorrectly read?. NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID # 342.
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.
1987 Feb 06 UTC 02:35 Observed by Darling (Sun Praire, Wisconsin, USA, 12.5" Newtonian x342) "I was using a 12.5 f5 Newtonian reflector with a 9mm eyepiece and 2x Barlow with no filters. I had been observing other features on the Moon when I had panned to the area where the sunrise was taking place on Mount Piton. The mountain peak looked like a shimmering block of ice with a phosphorescence luminescence cloud around the peak. What was really interesting was the shaft of light streaming across the Lunar Maria that appeared like a cone and it came to a point near Mount Piton. The Mountain had the appearance of mother of pearl and the luster or glow that surround the peak only lasted about 20 minutes." The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=296 and gthe weight=4. the ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Lubbock 1973 Nov 02 UT 22:10-23:59 Observed by R.Hill (Greensboro, N. Carolina, USA) "Color in crater changed fro. gray to brownish -- strong enough change to be noted. Never saw anything like this 7 yrs. of observing". NASA catalog weight=3. NASA catalog ID #1379. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1978 May 14 at UT21:30-22:52 P.W. Foley (Kent, UK, 12" reflector, seeing II and transparency excellent, no spurious colour) observed Aristarchus to be very bright in Earthshine and bluish. The CED brightness measuring device gave a very bright reading of 0.9, the brightest he had ever seen ir before was 0.3. Cameron 2006 catalog ID= 29 and weight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1992 Oct 04 at UT 02:15-03:18 D. Louderback (South Bend, WA, USA, 3" refractor, x80) found that Eimmart crater was brighter in blue light than in red light - however Cape Agarum, and Mare Crisium were too. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=454 and the weight=4. The AlPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1992 Oct 04 at UT 02:15-03:18 D. Louderback (South Bend, WA, USA, 3" refractor, x80) found that Mare Crisium was brighter in blue light than in red light - however Cape Agarum, and Eimmart were too. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=454 and the weight=4. The AlPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1992 Oct 04 at UT 02:15-03:18 D. Louderback (South Bend, WA, USA, 3" refractor, x80) found that Mons Piton was very bright and was equal to Proclus (brightness of 9) in white light and 7.5 in violet, and 9.3 in red (Proclus was 9.2 in red). Ïn blue both features = (9?). "points on Piton affected were B, D, and C (S, W & N resp.) D in violet was fuzzy - ill defined". The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=454 and the weight=4. The AlPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1992 Oct 04 at UT 02:15-03:18 D. Louderback (South Bend, WA, USA, 3" refractor, x80) found that Promontorium Agarum was brighter in blue light than in red light - however Mare Crisium and Eimmart were too. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=454 and the weight=4. The AlPO/BAA weight=1.
Proclus 1972 Oct 15 UT 20:48 Observed by Hopp (13.25E, 52.5N, 75mm refractor) "Bright flash at the NW wall but poor seeing." T=3, S=5. Ref: Hilbrecht & Kuveler Moon & Planets (1984) Vol 30, pp53-61. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1995 Jul 06 at UT 03:22-03:57 R. Spellman (Los Angeles, USA found that the floor of Proclus appeared to darken slightly through a blue filter. The ALPO/BAA weight=2. Source of this observation came from Spellman's web site.
2004 Dec 20 UT 02:51-03:26 R. Gray (Winumma, USA) noted that the crater had exceptional brightness to nimbus surrounding it. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
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.
On 1916 Sep 05 at UT 19:30 Markov (Russia) observed in Plato light on shadow of the bands at the bottom of the crater. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=364 and weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Sulpicius Gallus 1867 Jun 10 UT 22:00? Observed by Dawes (England?) "3 distinct roundish black spots. Absent on 13th" NASA catalog weight=3. NASA catalog ID #184. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Eratosthenes 1976 Aug 04 UTC 02:07 Observed by Bartlett (Baltimore, MD, USA, S=6, T=3, 4.5" reflector 40-450x) "faint spot of light 4 deg bright seen in shadow on pos. of c.p. which is normally invis. At base of inner NW wall a faint bluish radiance (gas?) was observed". NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #1439.
On 1969 Nov 18 at UT 00:30-02:30 W. Cameron (Greenbelt, MD, USA, 12" reflector, x80 and x320) using a low power eyepiece, observed that bright craters (but not all of them) "glittered like diamonds". These craters were several on the terminator, Proclus, Censorinus, Manillius, Menelaus and Dionysius. The glitter effect was on the west wall crest -- like stars. Higher power revealed these areas to be bright but not star-like (nor glittering). The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1212 and the weight=1. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Plato 1789 Jul 30 UTC 21:00? Observed by Schroter (Lilienthal, Germany) NASA Catalog Event #61, NASA Weight=2 (slightly low) Event described as: "Soon after sunrise saw a kind of fermentation on the floor which clearly resembled a kind of twilight, (due to some kind of aberration unknown to the observer?)" For further details see reference: Middlehurst, B.M., Burley, J.M., Moore, P.A. and Welther, B.L., 1968, NASA TR R-277.
Proclus 1969 Nov 18 UT 20:00? Observed by Classen (Pulnitz, Czechoslovakia, 8" refractor) "Brightened, exceeded normal. Brightness is monitored relative to Censorinus. (started July, 1969) Obs. thinks all bright craters are variable. (Apollo 12 watch)." NASA catalog weight=2. NASA catalog ID #1216. ASLPO/BAA weight=1.
Mons la Hire 1972 Nov 15 UT 09:45-10:18 M.Geisel (Brisbane, Australia, 12.5" f/8 reflector, x90) discovered the TLP, P. Anderson (9.5" reflector) independently confirmed that the TLP had an effect in his Moon Blink device - but the effect (suspected that the blink was caused by the extreme nrightness of the mountain?) was weak and thought it not worth further investigation. Photographs taken by Anderson. Geisel believes the effect to be real and states that the area remained sharp and clear throughout. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1995 Jul 07 at UT 04:22 R. Spellman (Los Angeles, CA, USA) noted that the floor of Copernicus was slightly darker in blue light. The ALPO/BAA weight=1. This report came from R. Spellman's web site.
On 1995 Jul 07 at UT 04:22 R. Spellman (Los Angeles, CA, USA) noted that the inside of Bodin darkened in blue light and also the floor was darker in white light than it was the previous day. The ALPO/BAA weight=1. This report came from R. Spellman's web site.
On 1995 Jul 07 at 04:22UT R. Spellman (Los Angeles, CA, USA) noted that the floor of Proclus looked slightly darker in blue light. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Copernicus 1969 Nov 18 UT 21:10-21:11 Observed by Hedervari (Budapest, Hungary, 3.5" refractor) "Yellowish-red stripe on inner W. wall (chrom. aberr.? Apollo 12 watch)." NASA catalog weight=2. NASA catalog ID No. 1217. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Goldschmidt 1969 Nov 18 UT 21:59 Observed by Brandi (Wald, Switzerland, 6" reflector x90) "Brightening -- photo. (the author, WSC, cannot verify LTP on film. Its brightness similar to other features at same term. dist. Shadow is anomolous if real -- very narrow streak beside it & beyond main shadow (Apollo 12 watch)." NASA catalog weight=5 (very high). NASA catalog ID #1218.
Plato 1878 Oct 05 UT 21:40 Observed by Klein (Cologne, Germany, 6?" refractor) "Fog in W. part of crater. Faint shimmer like thin white cloud" NASA catalog weight=4. NASA catalog ID #203. 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.
Plato 1970 Dec 07/08 UT 23:30-00:45 UT Observed by Fitton (Oldham, England, 8.5" refkector, x200, S=G) "Floor blank, yet some craters should be vis. Outer wall craters showed clearly. (similar to Bartlett's obs on Nov. 8th, #1278" NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #1279.
Aristillus 1939 Jul 26 UT 02:30 Observed by Haas? (NM?, USA, 12?" reflector) "Dark area to W. part of floor was I=3.7. (see #450, 459 & 461). Used diff. telescopes but can not explain difference)" NASA catalog weight=4 (good). NASA catalog ID #454.
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.
Censorinus 1969 Nov 19 UT 1922 Observed by Brandli (Wald, Switzerland, 6" reflector, x90) "Brightening -- photo, (the author, WBC, cannot verify from photo. It is brighter, but so are Proc. & Dionys. -- it being between. i.e. Proc. > Censor. > Dionys. Apollo 12 watch)." NASA catalog weight=5 (very high). NASA catalog ID #1220. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Plato 1870 May 10 UTC 22:00 Observed by Birt (England) "Extraordinary display of lights. Says not effect of sunlight" NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID #167.
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.
Piton 1969 Nov 19 UT 21:15-22:00 Observed by Baum (England, 4.5" refractor) "Traces of cloudiness on E. slope at 2115h. Increased at 2150h in extent & brightness. Spread onto plain. Summit & shadow in W. part sharp & clear. (Apollo 12 watch)." NASA catalog weight=2. NASA catalog ID #1221. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
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.
At approximately 18:43UT observer noticed that Censorinus, and its bright apron, appeared particularly brighter than normal. There was some spurious colour present - but just a redness along the southernmost extent of the apron visible; could not detect any blue along the northern edge however, he did do not suspect the colour to be anomalous. A re-examination at 18:51UT revealed that the crater had faded and was seen to fade visibly in real time to normal levels (over about a minute) by 18:53UT. Other features remained constant and so too did the apparent spurious colour.
Ramsden 1999 May 25 UT 20:57-21:22 Observed by Brook (Plymouth, UK, 4" refractor, x216, seeing II-III) "Bright spot on W wall - brightness variation seen. - At the start it was bright, then it faded, and towards the end of the observation it was starting to brighten again". BAA Lunar Section observation. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
U.K. observers: G. North and P. Foley, both saw a wisp of blue associated with this crater. Cameron 2006 catalog extension ID=209 and weight=4. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Daniell 1979 Jun 05 UT 20:15-21:10 Observed by Price (Camberley, England, 152mm reflector x64 and x128, seeing III, transparency good) "Obscuration seen" BAA Lunar Section report.
Daniell 1979 Jun 05 UT 20:15-23:00 Observed by Price (Camberley, England, 152mm reflector x64 and x128, seeing III, transparency good) observed that Posidonius lacked sharpness.
Plato. 2024 Nov 11 UT 20:33-20:52. T.Smith (Codnor, UK - 16 inch Newtonian, seeing IV) the inner northern rim was an orange-white colour and this faded, and had vanished by 20:52. Observation ceased at 20:56. the effect was not present earlier at 17:49-18:04, nor during a visual check at 23:14-23:24. No other features on the Moon exhibited this effect at the time. Colour imagery by C.Longthorn at 20:14 and A.Cook at 20:54 failed to detect any colour in this region, but these lay outside Smith's observing window. ALPO/BAA weight=1.