Plato 1971 Jan 10 UTC 20:17-20:42 Observed by Taylor (Slough, England,
8.5" reflector) "Blink (dark gray to black), 13x3km diam. on E. wall &
floor in indentation in wall. Smaller by 2028 h. gone at 2035h.
Reappeared at 2028h & gone completely at 2042h)." NASA catalog weight=3
(average). NASA catalog ID #1282.
Moretus? 1871 Dec 25 UTC 22:00? Observed by Webb? (England?, 9"
reflector?) "Internal twilight in crater #132- a large circular crater
nr. S.pole (crater #132 on Goodacre's map is Plato. Webb's map?)" NASA
catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #173.
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.
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.
On 1982 Jun 05 at 22:00? UT, Chapman (UK, using a 12" reflector), again
using a x2 yellow filter, noticed that the central craterlet
detectabilty changed such that sometimes it was visible and sometimes
not. Foley (Kent, UK)noticed that the central craterlet could only just
be seen between June 2 to June 5 and was much less discernable than
during the previous lunation. No CED brightness measurements made. The
floor of Plato was noted to be very dark though. Cameron 2006 catalog
ID=172 and weight=4. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Aristarchus 1965 May 15 UTC 01:40-02:15 Observed by Weresuik, McClench,
Johnson (Pt. Tobacco, MD, USA, 16" reflector x240, S=F, T=G) and Delano
(Massachusetts, USA, 12" reflector). "Crater had color(red?) detected
by Trident MB & photos were obtained. There were pulsations. Delano saw
E. wall of crater unusually bright (confirm. if at same time)." NASA
catalog weight=5 (very good). NASA catalog ID #876.
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.
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.
Madler 2005 Oct 17 UT 04:14-05:28 Observed by Robin Gray (Winnemucca,
NV, USA, 152mm refractor, x228, x343, S=5-8 and T=5-6) "Very bright
pinpoint spot seen towards end of observing period on east crater wall,
lasting 1 min in duration. Brighter than other spots, possibly 8.5-9 on
the Elger scale. The spot was not seen earlier during the long
observing session." An ALPO report. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Madler 1940 Sep 16 UT 02:10 Observed by Haas (New Mexico? USA,
12" reflector?) "Bright spot on S. rim was I=5.8 comp. with 8.9
on Aug 17 (see #470)." NASA catalog weight=4. NASA catalog ID #
473. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1919 Nov 27 at UT 23:00-01:00 Fock (Germany) observed in the
vicinity of Tycho, during an eclipse (mid eclipse at 23:56UT) a long
ray in the direction of Longomontanus that remained visible. It was
glowing in weak gray-green colour for the whole of the eclipse. The
Cameron 1978 catalog ID=373 and weight=2. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
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.
Kepler 1962 Jul 17 UTC 06:24,08:36 Observed by Wildey, Pohn (Mt Wilson,
CA, USA, 60" reflector+photometer) "Crater was at Vmag 2.68 at earlier
obs. which was .47 mag brighter than av. mag. at 15d & it faded to near
normal at later time to V=3.10(photom. measures), a change of 1/2 mag.
or @1.5 times in brightness" NASA catalog weight=5 (very good). NASA
catalog ID #761.
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.
Kepler 1962 Jul 17 UTC 06:24,08:36 Observed by Wildey, Pohn (Mt Wilson,
CA, USA, 60" reflector+photometer) "Crater was at Vmag 2.68 at earlier
obs. which was .47 mag brighter than av. mag. at 15d & it faded to near
normal at later time to V=3.10(photom. measures), a change of 1/2 mag.
or @1.5 times in brightness" NASA catalog weight=5 (very good). NASA
catalog ID #761.
On 1898 Jan 08 at UT 00:00-01:00 Chrevremont (France?) notcied that
during a lunar eclipse, the mid-eclipse shadow was so dark that details
of the surface disappeared, all except for the Tycho SSW ray . Cameron
comments that it is unsual for that ray to remain when usually the ones
towards Kepler and Aristarchus are the ones to stand out? The Cameron
1978 catalog ID=297 and the weight=0. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
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.
On 1893 Apr 01 at UT 22:00 deMoraes of the Azores, Portugal, saw a
shaft of light projecting from the Moon. Cameron 1978 catalog ID=280
and weight=0. 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.
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.
In 1954 Jul 16 at UT 01:12 Chernov (Russia, 2" refractor, x33) observed
the following for Aristarchus: "Activity noted in it * in extension of
Moon's shadow on sky for 12 min during .17phase of ecl.(source gave
date as June 16, but ecl was July 16)". The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=566
and weight=1. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Littrow 1915 Jan 31 UTC 22:00? Observer: unknown (England?) "6 to 7
spots arranged like a gamma first seen on this nite. (Kuiper atlas.
Rect. 14-c shows spots in form of a 7 or a cap. gamma backwards, but
not l.c. gamma)". NASA catalog weight=0 (almost certainly not a TLP).
NASA catalog ID #349. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1978 Apr 23 at UT20:35 (Rawlings, UK, finderscope, x50)
observed a bright flash (~0.3 sec duration) near to Copernicus (20W,
9N) with rays to the south east whilst he looked through a finder
scope. Moore, who studied the drawing, suggests that the area of the
flash was near Copernicus. However Cameron says this cannot be the case
if the flash was in darkness as mentioned in the BAA Lunar Section
circular. She comments that it might have been a meteor? The Cameron
2005 catalog ID=28 and weight=1. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
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!
Aristarchus 1970 Feb 22 UTC 07:00? Observed by Thomas, Stump, Corral.
Obs. (Organ Pass, NM, 24" reflector+Moonblink) "Bluing around crater --
vis. in monitor, but not photographable due to clouds." NASA catalog
weight=4 (good). NASA catalog ID #1235.
Mare Crisium 1962 Jul 18 UTC 09:54 Observed by Wildey & Pohn (Mt
Wilson, CA, USA, 60" reflector + Photometer) "Photometric meas. showed
change in brightness of the area of over a mag. during the nite.
Recorded at Vmag=3.56 first, & a few min(?) later at 4.62. It was .95
mag. brighter (@2.5x) than av. for that age & then returned to
normal." NASA catalog weight=5 (very high). NASA catalog ID #762.
On 1992 Jul 16 at UT 03:32-09:31 D. Louderback (South Bend, WA, USA,
3" refractor, x134) detected yellow on the southern rim of Aristarchus,
and the colour looked "darker" through a yellow filter and the region
was "duller" than normal. The region was 1 intesnsity step brighter on
the 2nd measurement, "on all points in it". The comet tail-like ray had
3 sections and was "mottled" in appearance. Finally the Cobra Head
region had possible variations in brightness. The cameron 2006 catalog
ID=451 and the weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Gassendi 1940 Sep 18 UTC 03:15 Observed by Haas (New Mexico? 12"
? reflector) "Largest bright spot in SE part of floor had I=6.1,
but I=6.7 & 8.6 on other nites. (same ph. see #469, 472 & 475)"
NASA catalog weight=4. NASA catalog ID #474. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
East of Picard 1864 Oct 16/17 UT 23:00-01:00? Observed by
Ingall (Camberwell ?, UK) "Remarkable bright spot" NASA
catalog weight=3. NASA catalog ID #135. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Plato 1870 Feb 18 UTC 00:00? Observed by Gledhill (Halifax, England,
9" refractor) "Illum. of another group of craters different from group
in Aug. & Sep. obs. (date is F18 if phase is similar to Ap 1870)
NASA catalog weight=2 (low). NASA catalog ID #164.
Aristarchus 1970 Feb 23 UTC 07:00? Observed by Thomas & Stump
(Corralitos Observatory, Organ PAss, NM, USA, 24" refletor+Moon Blink)
"Bluring around crater -- vis. in monitor, but not photographed due to
clouds." NASA catalog weight=4 (good). NASA catalog ID #1235.
On 1990 Aug 08 at OT 07:47-09:00 UT D. Louderback (South Bend, WA, USA,
3" refractor, x173) "(SS) Piton's all pts were << but nearby plain was
normal. Ridges at 5.3 at B, C, D but 3 alb at B, C, D (norm = 7) but
bearby plain was normal. At A 3, was hazy but ill defined. Parts of mt
brightened but others didn't. Times between brightening were 6-8s.
Similar to seeing fluctuations. In red mt stayed dull & steady. In blue
it blinked." - this is a direct quote from the Cameron 2006 catalog
because it is very difficult to summarize. Louderback comments that the
TLP was still going on at 09:00UT. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=406 and
the weight=4. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1990 Aug 08 at UT 07:47-09:00 D. Darling (Sun Praire, WI, USA, 3"
refractor, x173) reported the following TLP in Promontorium Agarum
(Cape Agarum): "W flank of CA >>, even> Proc. interior." The cameron
2006 catalog ID=406 and the weight=4. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Mare Crisium 1962 Jul 19 UTC 07:30 Observed by Wildey & Pohn (Mt
Wilson, CA, USA, 60" reflector + Photometer) "Photometric meas. showed
change in brightness from Vmag=3.46 to V=3.07, where av. mag. for that
age=3.26, or a brightening of .58 mag." NASA catalog weight=5 (very
high). NASA catalog ID #763.
Plato 1938 Jun 15 UTC 08:00 Observed by Haas? (New Mexico?, 12?"
reflector) "NW. end of floor had intensity I=2.0, but on 7/15/38, I=
3.7, conditions similar." NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA catalog ID
#439.
On 1965 May 18 at UT 03:00-03:30 Cragg (Mt Wilson?, CA, USA, 6"
refractor?) observed a TLP (no feature nor description given in
the Cameron 1978 catalog) on the Moon. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=877
and weight=4. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Mare Crisium 1962 Jul 19 UTC 09:48 Observed by Wildey & Pohn (Mt
Wilson, CA, USA, 60" reflector + Photometer) "Photometric meas. showed
change in brightness from Vmag=3.46 to V=3.07, where av. mag. for that
age=3.26, or a brightening of .58 mag." NASA catalog weight=5 (very
high). NASA catalog ID #763.
On 1990 Jan 13 at UT 22:15-23:05 J. Pedler (Bristol, UK, seeing=III and
transparency=excellent, no spurious colour) detected a blue region on
the north of Aristarchus, varying in sharpness/diffuseness. The crater
rim in this region could not be descerned. Eleswhere the crater rim was
normal as too were other features. When a Moon blink device was used,
no colour blink was detected, however through the blue filter the
suspected area was bright and the crater rim indistinct. Whereas
through the red filter the area looked perfectly normal. At 22:30UT the
effect had vanished and everywhere was normal. The Cameron 2006 catalog
ID=388 and the weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1990 Jan 14 at UT 01:14-01:55 M.C. Cook (Frimley, UK, seeing=poor)
observed that Aristarchus did not appear normal for this illumination.
the northern half of Aristarchus was "2x>" than the southern half of
the crater. There were two white patches of apron material near to the
crater Herodotus that were 50% of the brightness of the southern half
of Aristarchus. Furthermore the southern half of Aristarchus had a
circle - "dull patch on inner S wall with a bright point shining
through it. (Bartlett's EWBS?)". The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=389 and
the weight=4. The 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.
On 1980 Mar 04 at UT10:30-10:34 D. Darling (Sun Prairie, WI, USA,
12.5" reflector, x344) detected a pin-point light in the shadowed area
of Mare Crisium that varied in brightness then faded. Cameron 2006
catalog ID=84 and weight=0. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Gassendi 1940 Sep 19 UTC 06:00 Observed by Haas (New Mexico,
12?" reflector) "Largest bright spot in SE part of floor, had I=
6.7, but 6 for last nite & 5.6 on others (see #'s 469, 472, &
474)." NASA catalog weight=4. NASA catalog ID #475. ALPO/BAA
weight=2.
On 2002 May 30 at UT02:30-02:44 C. Brook (Plymouth, UK) suspected that
Aristarchus crater looked dimmer than normal. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1979 Aug 12 at UT07:00-10:35 D. Darling and wife (Sun Prarie, WI,
USA, 12.5" reflector, x342, photos, S=9/10) observed a cigar shaped
protruberance in Romer crater that cast a 32km long shadow, nestled in
a valley rille next to Romer. This was a confirmed observation. The
effect persisted intil sunset. The top of the object and two points on
the crater rim were reflecting the Sun's rays. "Top of obj. & 2 pts on
crater rim reflected suns rays. It was as high as the crater rim
whereas the rill wall was not. Took photos. he has studied this area
and never saw such a phenom before. Photos did not show it". The
Cameron 1978 catalog ID=65 and weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Observed by Dachille & daughter (Univ. Park, Pennsylvania, 10.5"
reflector, x75) "Flash -- then a brownish - red color patch. Alt. @
20deg. (MBMW has Oct. 12, but is 13th UT)". NASA catalog weight=5
(very good). NASA catalog ID #674.
In 1964 Jan 05 at UT 22:00? Doherty (Stoke-on-Trent, UK, 3" refractor,
8" or 10" reflector) observed aristarchus to be purplish-blue in
colour. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=794 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.
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.
On 1964 Jan 06 at 02:00? Markov and Khoshlova (Russia) observed
anomalous IR radiation on the Moon. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID= and
weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Kepler 1966 DEc 04 UTC 05:10 Observed by de Beraud (Flossmoore,
Ilinois, USA, 6" reflector, x360, S=G) "Saw a bright area thru. blue
filter but could not see it in red filter. Decided it was a bluish
phenomenon." NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #1001.
On 1983 Jan 05 at UT22:00 P. Madej (Huddersfield, UK) noticed some
colour on Aristarchus. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=195 and the weight=
2. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1973 Dec 18 at UT06:35-06:38 Pasternak (53deg 20' N and 7deg 30' E,
using 75mm reflector, focal length 700mm, transparency 1 out of 5 and
seeing 2 out of 5) observed a faint brightening in the south wall of
Aristarchus. Published in Hilbrecht and Kuveler, Moon and Planets, 30
(1984) p53-61. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1983 Dec 28 at UT03:30-05:00 Moseley (Covington, England, UK,
seeing=V-IV and transparency=good) detected some detail within the
shadow under good moments of seeing. The external brightness was
extended to the east wall at a clock position of 9 O'clock, but did not
go outside the rim. It was less bright at the 11 O'clock position. The
Cameron 2006 catalog ID=236 and the weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
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.
Alphonsus 1966 Apr 17 UT 05:06 Observed by Cross (England) "Blink on SW
floor of Alphonsus (moon rise @ 04:20, rotating filterblink rechnique
without image tube that Tridant and Corralitos had)." NASA catalog
weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #928
On 1874 Apr 18 at before 21:30UT? H. Sadler saw Aristarchus looking
like a magnitude 9.5 star. However it faded at 21:30UT by 0.5
magnitudes. Some faint light streaks could be seen coming from it in
north east and westerly directions. Three fainter spots were seen,
probably at: Menelaus, Manilius and Sosigenes (this was the faintest).
Ref: English MEchanic, Vol 19, p146, 1874.
On 1874 Apr 18 at before 21:30UT? H. Sadler saw Aristarchus looking
like a magnitude 9.5 star. Some faint light streaks could be seen
coming from it in north east and westerly directions. Three fainter
spots were seen, probably at: Menelaus, Manilius and Sosigenes (this
was the faintest). Ref: English MEchanic, Vol 19, p146, 1874.
On 1874 Apr 18 at before 21:30UT? H. Sadler saw Aristarchus looking
like a magnitude 9.5 star. Some faint light streaks could be seen
coming from it in north east and westerly directions. Three fainter
spots were seen, probably at: Menelaus, Manilius and Sosigenes (this
was the faintest). Ref: English MEchanic, Vol 19, p146, 1874.
On 1874 Apr 18 at before 21:30UT? H. Sadler saw Aristarchus looking
like a magnitude 9.5 star. Some faint light streaks could be seen
coming from it in north east and westerly directions. Three fainter
spots were seen, probably at: Menelaus, Manilius and Sosigenes (this
was the faintest). Ref: English MEchanic, Vol 19, p146, 1874.
On 1988 Feb 20 at UT22:25-22:34 H. Rodriguez Moreira (Fortaleza,
Brazil, 4" refractor) observed a rapid rise in brightness at
22:25UT in Promintorium Olivium. About 4 minutes after this the
brighness fluctuated 3 times and the TLP faded in 9 minutes
after it started, returning everything to normal. "Bluish light
point on darkside of it" - apparently a Greek observer (Aguirre)
observed a flash but no date was given. The Cameron 2006 catalog
ID=317 and the weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Schroter observed Aristarchus to be extraordinarily bright on the dark
side of the Moon. Cameron 1978 catalog ID=30 and weight=4. ALPO/BAA
catalog weight=2.
1977 Apr 23 UT19:30-22:45 Foley (10.75" Newtonian and 4.5"
refractor, seeing II, transpaency excellent) saw som every large
variations in the brightness of Aristarchus whereas other
features in Earthshine remained stable. Aristarchus was seen to
be blue/violet. 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.
Messier 1981 Feb 10 UT 19:20-20:10 TLP discoevered by Hedley
Robinson (Devon, England) "Messier was brighter than Aristarchus
in both red and blue filters and also appeared indistinct, later
becoming invisible - lost in a bright streak. In comparison
Aristarchus was clear. Another observer, Amery confirmed that
Aristarchus was sharp in appearance but Messier certainly was
not. Cook likewiese found Messier not to be as sharp as Messier
A dueto a big shadow in Messier A. Pedler found that the sun
facing wall of Messier was OK but that the shadow was changing
from black to grey periodically at intervals of 2-3 minutes to a
few seconds. By contrast he found that Messier A remained quite
well defined. He tried red and blue filters but found no blink
effect. At 20:23UT Pedler found that the shadow had stabilized
to a shade of "mid grey" although remaining ill-defined. North
also found that Messier A was distinct but Messier itself was
ill-defined. Moore found the same thing but thinks that this is
normal for Messier under this illumination to appear indistinct.
More also saw the grey interior shadow. Price saw similar
appearance to Moore and suspected that this was normal for this
stage in illumination. Ratcliffe suspected everything normal -
just commenting that Messier was smaller and no detail in
comparison to Messier A. Madej and Taylor provided a sketch that
showed again a grey interior and merging with the east
wall/mare. Foley found Messier's pale grey interior to be un-
focusable but in comparison Messier A was sharp. He says that he
would expect a grey interior and the east wall to merge with the
mare. However the complete loss of deatil and variability were
not normal. Cameron comments that the Kuiper atlas confirms the
fuzzy indistinct appearance of Messier and that a Lunar Orbiter
picture shows a grey shadow. The Cameron extended catalog
weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1891 Nov 07 at UT=19:00 d'Adjuda of Lisbon, Portugal (seeing fair)
whilst observing Aristarchus noticed that the crater appeared as very
distinct luminous point in the dark. Cameron 1978 catalog ID=275 and
weight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1992 Dec 30 at UT 17:36 A. Dollfus (Meudon, France, 1m aperture
telescope used) detected evidence for a dust cloud using CCD
polarimetry. The ALPO/BAA weight=5.
On 25 Jun 1993 at UT 23:30-23:52 Carlos Colesanti (Mairinque,
Brazil) obtained two CCD images of Julius Caesar crater and
noticed a brilliant fuzzy area on the rim of the crater. This
appeared in both images and resembled a fuzzy white blob. Note
that this is a REA-Brazil observation. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Cameron (2006) ID=463.
On 1982 Dec 22 at UT 19:20-20:10 J-H Robinson (Teighmouth, Devon, UK,
10" reflector, x150, seeing=IV-V) could not distinguish between Messier
and Messier A. The tail of these features was very bright - two
telescopes were used. Moore (Selsey, UK, 12" reflector, seeing=III)
could see Messier A but found Messier itself obscured - just see the
west wall and thought that the comet like tail was unusual as it did
not appear divided. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=192 and weight=5. The
ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Plato 1886 Sep 06 UT 19:00? Observed by Valderama (Italy?) "Streak of
light on dark floor of crater in shadow. (sunlight between peaks on
walls?)" NASA catalog weight=0 (most unlikely to be a TLP). NASA
catalog ID #251. ALPO/BAA catalog weight=1.
Plato 1967 Apr 18 UT 03:10-04:00 Observed by Kelsey
(Riverside, CA, USA, 8" reflector x300, S=8, T-4-5). "Streak
on floor showed slight enhancement in red filter comp. to
blue. Later, a 2nd streak formed. Probably the sun shining
thru a valley in the rim. Red enhancement permanent? (Wise
suspected a blink here 6h earlier)." NASA catalog weight=3.
NASA catalog ID #1027. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
In 1824 Jul 04 at UT23:00? Emmett (England, UK) observed a star-like
light on the rim (in the dark). The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=100 and the
weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Plato 1916 Jul 8 UT 19:00? Observed by Markov (Russia) "Light on the
shadow of the bands at the bottom (similar to #362)" NASA catalog
weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #364. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Alphonsus 1990 Feb 03 UT 18:00-18:23 Observed by A.C. Cook
(Frimley, UK, CCD video camera, seeing III-IV). At 18:06 W and
SE dark floor patches, equally dark, but at 18:10 and 18:23 the
W dark patch was the darker of the two?. Between 18:06 and 18:23
and a bright patch to the north of the central peak brightned
slightly wrt the its surroundings. However seeing conditions
worsened as the observing session progressed, and in view of
this the ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Plato 1907 Jan 22 UT 20:00 Observed by Fauth (Germany?) "Glow of light
in part of crater" NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog
ID 327.
Tycho 2003 May 09 UT 21:04 Observer Brendan Shaw (UK) "CCD
image of central peak - Sun's altitude suggested that this
should not have been directly illuminated this early - may
have been from secondary reflectance off illuminated W wall?"
ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Alphonsus 1990 Feb 03 UTC 20:05-21:22 Observed by Brook (Plymouth, UK,
10" reflector) "Brightness variance noted". The Cameron 2006 catalog
does not have an entry for this observation. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Copernicus 1932 Mar 16 UTC 18:45-19:30 Observed by Barker (Cheshunt,
England, 12.5" reflector, x310) "Term. from Cop. to lat.20S was misty &
hard to define. Rest was usual sharp definition. Mistiness cleared at
1930. Cleaned his eyepiece & prism but it persisted." NASA catalog
weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #402.
On 1952 Feb 05 at UT 05:10 J.Carle (USA, 8" reflector, x180)
observed the following in Plato: "A shadow in a depression, or
a cloud, or an optical illus.? Oval dark area nr. center,
disappeared in 15m clear & prominenet at first then vanished.
4 of 14 spots nr. center continuously seen while remaining
ones seen only momentarily. (seeing?) Drawing includes sketch
on March 7. His sketch shows 18 spots, 13 same as here". The
Cameron 1978 catalog ID=549 and the weight=2. The ALPO/BAA
weight=2.
Alphonsus 1966 Nov 22 UT 03:17-03:40 Observed by kelsey (Riverside, CA,
USA, 8" relector x300) "Seen first with (Eng.) moon blink, red filter
but not in the green. Not seen at 03:42h" NASA catalog weight=4 (high).
NASA catalog ID #998.
On 1969 Mar 27 at UT 18:42-18:47 Ringsdore (England, 15"
reflector, x350), Moseley (Armagh, Northern Ireland) and P.
Moore (Selsey, UK) observed nothing unusual in Alphonsus at
18:40UT, but at 18:45UT Ringsdore saw a blurring. At 18:43UT
Mosely saw a reddush-orange patch and this was confirmed by
Moore. NNW of the central peak, Mosely got a blink, but Moore
did not because of too much stray light. The colour was like
Jupiter's red spot, but less pronounced. The Cameron 1978
catalog ID=1118 and weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=4.
On 1971 Jul 31 at UT 21:40 (18:40 local time?) Miranda (Plaui, Brazil, 4" Refractor, 80x, 160x, Moon 70deg in altitude)
observed an intermittent and curious brilliance on top of a peak
(with irregular reflection) north of Mons Hadley (5E, 27N). The
Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1302 and weight=2. The ALPO/BAA
weight=2.
Archimedes 1973 Jan 13 UTC 19:06-19:40 Observed by Theiss (51N, 9.67E,
75mm refractor) "Yellow to green colours at wall of Archimedes, became
stronger until 19:09UT, constant brightness until 19:10UT and
dissappeared at 19:16UT" Ref: Hilbrecht & Kuveler (1984) Moon & Planets
30, pp53-61.
Proclus 1973 Jan 13 UTC 19:30-19:35 Observed by Krojer (48.25N, 11.5E,
60mm refractor) "North East wall of Proclus extraordinarilly bright,
observation interrupted by fog." Ref: Hilbrecht & Kuveler (1984) Moon &
Planets 30, pp53-61.
La Hire 1887 Feb 02 UTC 20:00? Observed by Klein (Cologne, Germany, 6"
refractor) "Intense yellow streak that cast shadows around neighboring
features". NASA catalog weight=4 (good). NASA catalog ID #255.
Censorinus 1973 Jan 13 UTC 20:02-20:14 Observed by Leitzinger (48.25N,
11.5E, 60mm refractor) "Censorinus Extraordinarily bright, pure white"
Ref: Hilbrecht & Kuveler (1984) Moon & Planets 30, pp53-61.
On 1987 Mar 09 at UT20:00 M. Mobberley (Sussex, UK) obtained some video
of Mons Pico - apparently these show the mountain with a puzzling
appearance (not sure whether it was the observer who claimed this or
some one who analyzed the tape). The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=300 and
the weight=5. ALPO/BAA=1.
Alphonsus 1966 Apr 20 UT 22:28 Observed by Smith (Nottingham,
England, 10" reflector) Reddish patch possibly detected on SE
flank of central peaks, but more dubious than that from 28th
Apr. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1882 May 27 ay UT 20:00 an unknown observer (10" reflector) saw a
bright luminous ray near west (astronomical?) wall on floor of Plato.
Cameron suggests sunlight between peaks?. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=
233 and weight=0. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1987 Oct 03 at UT 01:0?0-02:00 R. Manske (Brooklyn, WI, USA, 8"
reflector, x226) observed sunlight glinting of the walls in spectacular
display of colours. White (even gold) was seen at the centre, and blue
on the top most part of the rim. The white (or gold) band was thin in
comparison to other bands. The observer suspects that this effect was
terrestrial atmosphere related. Cameron 2006 catalog ID=307 and weight=
0. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
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.
Gassendi 1966 Apr 30 UT 21:30-23:28 Observed by Sartory,
Ringsdore (England, 8.5" reflector, S=E), Moore, Moseley
(Armagh, Northern Ireland, 10" refractor, S=VG), Coralitos
Observatory (Organ Pass, NM, USA, 24" reflector, Moon Blink)
"English moon blink system detected red spots with vis.
confirm. Ringsdore says no color but saw obscuration. (LRL
60-in photos showed nothing unusual by my casual inspection).
Indep. confirm. (even E. wall was in dark). Corralitos did
not confirm by MB." N.B. event had finished by the time
Corralitos came on-line. NASA catalog weight=5. NASA catalog
ID #931. ALPO/BAA weight=4.
Near Hyginus 1959 Sep 13 UT Observed by Bradford (S.Shields,
England, 15"? reflector), Feist, Lovas (Hungary), Moore, Wilkins
(Kent, England, 7" refractor, x500) "Obliterated by a hovering
cloud (Feist disagrees). Budapest obs. saw a cloud at 21:02:30,
lasting 5 m. Moore & Wilkins saw burst of light & dust cloud at
21:02:35 (confirm.) Drawing by Lovas." NASA catalog weight=5 and
catalog ID #722. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Littrow, 1959 Sep 13 UT Observed by Bradford (S.Shields,
England, 15"? reflector), Feist, Lovas (Hungary), Moore, Wilkins (Kent,
England, 7" refractor, x500) "Obliterated by a hovering cloud (Feist
disagrees). Budapest obs. saw a cloud at 21:02:30, lasting 5 m. Moore &
Wilkins saw burst of light & dust cloud at 21:02:35 (confirm.) Drawing
by Lovas." NASA catalog weight=1 and catalog ID #722. The ALPO/BAA
weight=1.
On 1991 Jan 26 at UT 23:38-23:50 D. Darling (Sun Praire, WI,
USA, 12.5" reflector, x159 and 3" refractor x90, seeing 5/10,
transparency 3/6) found that Aristarchus was brighter through
a red filter than through a blue filter on its western wall.
He checked Aristarchus in two telecopes and obtained the same
result. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=419 and the weight=4. The
ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Moon 1967 Apr 21 UTC 02:30-09:30 Observed by Dunlap et al (Corralitos
Observatory, Organ PAss, NM, USA, 24" reflector + moonblink) "UV excess
relative to red & visual images. Greatest (30%) at subsolar pt. nr.
limb, grading down to 0% at term. Seen Apr 22 also with a gradient of
10% at term. to 25-30% at subsolar pt. (137 deg long). Filters well
balanced. Neg. (normal) on Apr. 20 & 23rd. Bandpass 3700-4900A on image
enhancement & filter equip. (coincided with Lyrid meteor shower. They
had seen this phenom. many times since. NASA catalog weight=5 (very
high). NASA catalog ID #1039.
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.
On 1987 Oct 04 at UT 02:20 D. Darling (Sun Praire, WI, USA,
12.5" reflector, x170, S=8, VG, T=5) obtained the brightest
measurement he had ever recorded on the northern rim of
Proclus. Brightness 9 and adjacent plain was of brightness
6.5. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=308 and the weight=3. The
ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 2013 Apr 22 UT 01:39-02:37 P. Zeller (Indianapollis, USA,
10" f/4 reflector, x200, seeing 6, Transparency 3 - scattered
cirrus) observed visually (depicted in sketch) the two closely
spaced NW wall dark bands) to have a rusty-red hue. The colour
of these bands did not change over the period of the observing
session. Images were taken, but resolution and image S/N is
not sufficient to resolve separate bands here, or to detect
colour. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
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 1981 Aug 11 at UT21:05-21:36 G. North (England, seeing=poor)
detected, in green light, a darkening on the floor of Plato. This
effect was not seen elsewhere. J-H Robinson (Teighmouth, Devon, UK)
detected on the SSE rim (inner and beyond) a triangle that appeared
hazy in a wide range of filters at 21:05UT. However at 21:36UT it was
only hazy in green and blue light. No similar effect was seen
elsewhere. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=150 and weight=5. The ALPO/BAA
weight=3.
On 2017 Feb 08 UT 01:45 A.Martini Jr (10" Schmidt-Cassegrain
with ASI 120 MC camera +IR filter, Gain 40, Gamma 36,
exposure 0.003 sec) saw on a computer monitor screen a flash
to far to the west of Herodotus and Aristarchus at the
location 54.53W, 23.5N. It had a duration of 0.5 sec and on a
brightness scale of 0 = night side of the Moon to 10 =
Aristarchus, ranked 7. Unfortunately they were not recording
at the time. As there was no confirmation observation and it
could be a cosmic ray air shower detection, the ALPO/BAA
weight=1
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.
In 1934 Feb 25 at UT 18:30 Rawstron (USA?, 4" refractor, x250, S=6/12)
observed in Pico B: "A large patch of haze appeared & drifted off
across the mare in same direction as haze from Pico (white patch). It
was obs. on 20 other occasions. Drawing". The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=
410 and weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Gassendi. 2023 May 02 UT 01:35-02:23. J. Albert (Lake Worth,
FL, USA - ALPO. 8” SCT via a 9mm ortho eyepiece. Transparency
magnitude 3 and seeing was 7/10) checked the crater without
filters as well as comparing with W25 red and W44A blue
filters using 226x. He saw no color on the SW part of the
crater floor or on the NW wall. Using the filters, however,
he did note that the high peak on the S wall was brighter in
blue than red. He tried this filter blink a number of times
because he had never seen this before in Gassendi, but the
result was the same each time. A colour image was taken
earlier at 01:21UT but shows not colour on S wall as it was
saturated. ALPO/BAA weight=2.