On 1988 Apr 18 at UT 19:00 R. Manske (Madison, WI, USA) observed that
Aristarchus? was glowing in Earthshine. Weier (Madison, WI, USA)
detected it easily in 7x50 binouculars. Spain (Fairfield, KY, USA)
though detected no TLP, nor could he see Aristarchus. The Cameron 2006
catalog ID=324 and the weight=0. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1970 May 08 at UT 23:00-23:30 Celis (Quilpue, Chile, 3" refractor,
x60, atmosphere turbulent) observed in the Aristarchus region a clear
line(?) and several star-like points. Cameron suspects atmospheric
effects due to low altitude and turbulence? The Cameron 1978 catalog
ID=1259 and weight=1. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1989 Apr 09 at 02:13 was seen to be not very bright in binoculars,
despite visibility of Earthshine in general as being exceptional.
Darling confirmed this at 02:31UT, though it was quite bright in a
17" reflector,but Herodotus could barely be seen. Weier claimed to be
able to see Aristarchus with the naked eye. At 02:08 the brightness was
found to be 5.0 for several measurments. The observing team ware from
the Maddison Asgtronomical Society, WI, USA. The Cameron 2006 catalog
ID=359b and he weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1990 Apr 28 at UT 00:00-00:30 F. Graham (Marshall TWP, OH, USA, 6"
reflector) during a failed attempt to observe the occultation of X6493
that was thwarted by clouds, noticed that Gassendi was "Gass,>>,>Aris
or anything else". The crater had a "milky lustre". It is possible that
another occultation observing group may have a video of the Earthshine
at this time. Darling (Sun prairem WI, USA, 20x50 binoculars) could not
see Earthsine, though the sky was bright at the time. The Cameron 2006
catalog ID=402 and the weight=0. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1990 Apr 28 at UT 01:19-01:25 F. Graham (Marshall TWP, OH, USA, 6"
reflector) during a failed attempt to observe the occultation of X6493
that was thwarted by clouds, noticed that Gassendi was "Gass,>>,>Aris
or anything else". The crater had a "milky lustre". It is possible that
another occultation observing group may have a video of the Earthshine
at this time. Darling (Sun prairem WI, USA, 20x50 binoculars) could not
see Earthsine, though the sky was bright at the time. The Cameron 2006
catalog ID=402 and the weight=0. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Boussingalt 1860 Apr 24 UT 20:00? Observed by Schmidt (Athens, Greece,
7" refractor) "Noted weak glows on the crater he tho't prob. due to
wall reflections on floor" NASA catalog weight=0 (very unlikely to be a
TLP). NASA catalog ID #132. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Bright spot (in dark part of Moon - confirmation of Arkhipov?). Cameron
1978 catalog weight=5 and Cameron 1978 catalog serial No. 418,
On 1980 Nov 11 at UT17:35-18:32 G. Blair (Weir, Scotland, UK) at
17:35UT immediately noted that the Earthsine was extremeley bright. All
large detail easily seen on unilluminated disk. 17:38UT a definite pale
reddish brown tinge enveloped the Aristarchus area. 17:39 seemed to be
getting larger and more intense west (IAU) side. Attempted to contact
other observers. 17:40UT Aristarchus still had a bright central peak.
17:50UT fading a little from the west (IAU). 18:00UT slight revival in
brightness. 18:15UT effect still visible when Aristarchus set behind a
high western horizon. The two sketches supplied show the illuminated
region around the crater with extension to the west (IAU). P. Foley
(Kent) found thatAristarchus was bright enough in Earthshine to be seen
with the naked eye. Telescope in operation at 18:00UT and the entire
Aristarchus region was bathed in violet/rose colour with what appeared
to be a strong ray extending to the west (IAU). Detail could be clearly
seen inside Aristarchus crater such as the central zone, west and north
wall and rim in relief from point southeat to northwest. CED measure
0.8 (white), 0.9 (blue), 0.2 (red). No other reading in Earthshine gave
a measure in red. Observation ceased by 18:32UT as the Moon was very
low. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1970 Jul 07 at UT 23:00-23:30 Celis (Paso Hondo, Chile, 3"
refractor, x60, x100, x135, seeing=good) observed the following in
Aristarchus: "Similar conditions as last night (#1264) but diminished
in brightness to 40% (to 6deg bright. Real phenom. in the dimming?)".
The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1265 and weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1970 Jul 08 at UT 23:00-23:30 Celis (Paso Hondo, Chile, 3"
refractor, x60, x100, x135, seeing=excellent) observed the following at
Aristarchus: "Conditions again similar (to #1264). Brighter tonite(8
deg) than last nite. but not as bright as on the 6th. Pin pts. of light
very accentuated. The radial open hand extended fingers form not so
frequently, perhaps because of the larger crescent illum. now.".
The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1266 and weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Cyrillus G 1983 Aug 13 UT 20:17-20:59 L. Paynter (Radcliffe,
UK, 22cm reflector, seeing III or better, transparency good).
Cyrillus G was relatively bright and surrounded by a shaded
area. On increasing the magnification from x65 to x130 he became
aware of a diffused "carise" colouration, in and around the
crater. The colouration was similar though to other spurious
colour on the Moon, but unlike other areas affected by spurious
colour, was more diffuse and spread out and not so concentrated.
In view of some uncertainty by the observer, ALPO/BAA weight=1.
In 1855 Jun 20 at UT 21:00 T.W. Webb (England) observed a trace of
twilight (Cameron says also seen by Gruithuisen, Henry and others at
times). Webb gives a low weight to his own observation, saying "for
want of better optical means". The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=130 and
weight=1. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 2012 Mar 28 at UT 20:45-20:50 Two unknown Italian
observers, reported on an on-line formum that they had
independently seen a distinct glow with a comma/drop shape.
One of them moved the Moon and the glow moved with the Moon.
It is uncertain how experienced the observers where. A chart
was provided which shows the lcoation of the glow in the
western side of Mare Imbrium. It is just possible that this
was Aristarchus in Earthshine, though that is very slightly
further west and south than the observers reported. ALPO/BAA
weight=1.
On 2012 Mar 28 P. Grego (Cornwall, UK, seeing II, 100mm
refractor, x132) observed a patch of light just inside the NW
rim of Menelaus on the shadowed wall or floor. Computer
visulaiztions of the illumination conditions using a digital
elevation model failed to produce this effect. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Cepheus A 2000 Oct 04 UTC 08:15-08:50 Observer: Maurice Collins
(New Zealand, 90cm ETX) - observer noted that crater was
extremely bright - wasn't sure if this was normal and at the
time rated it as the brightest (contrasty?) crater that he had
ever seen on the Moon. Many years later he suspected that he may
have mis-identified the crater. This still leaves us with thr
problem as to why a crater should be so bright in this region,
and if so, which one? ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Pitiscus 1981 Sep 05 UT ??:?? but assumed to be AM? which would make
it 00:00-03:00UTC. Observed by Slayton (Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA,
8" reflector, ASA 64EK7 f/170, Kodak Kodachrome) photographed a bright
glow in the crater that appeared to move. Observer also reported seeing
it visually noting that it looked gray with a tinge of red. For further
information see p266 of Sky & Telescope (1991, March). Note that
Cameron gives the date and UT at 1981 Sep 06 UT 01:00-01:30, or one day
later. I will use this date and time from now on. The Cameron 2006
catalog ID=152 and weight=5. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
In 1982 Sep 24 at 22:45-23:40 K. Marshall (Medellin, Columbia) saw in
Theophilus an obscuration on the south west wall close to Cyrillus and
furthermore it had a red / mauve colouration (seen best in a 12mm Ortho
eyepiece). Through a Wratten 15 yellow filter the region was quite
bright. At23:40UT the obscuration faded. There was plenty of detail in
the region between Theophilus and Cyrils. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=
184 and the weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1915 Apr 21 at UT 1800? Houdard (France) noticed a special
occurrence south of Posidonius which he took as evidence of water
vapor. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=351 and weight=3. The ALPO/BAA
weight=2.
Proclus 1970 Jul 11 UT 20:35-20:45 Observed by Dean, Jamieson,
Sparks (Ruislip, ------, England, 6" relector x156) "Dean saw
something in Proclus, alerted Jamieson who saw nothing unusual
at 2043h, but tho't Secchi was quite bright. At 2035 Sparks saw
Proc. fluctuate. Red & blue filters showed some reduction in
brightness. E. edge showed darkening, but not as dark as in
shadows. 10 min later, returned to normal. (Sparks confirmed
Dean)." NASA catalog weight=5. NASA catalog ID #1267. ALPO/BAA
weight=3.
1970 Jul 11 UT 20:35-20:45 During a TLP alert for Proclus, Jamieson
saw nothing unusual, but found instead that Secchi was quite bright.
NASA catalog weight=5 (very good). NASA catalog ID #1267. ALPO/BAA
weight=1.
On 1983 Sep 15 at UT 05:20-05:24 Louderback (South Bend, WA, USA,
8" reflector and 3" refractor, seeing poor) found that the west wall of
Eimmart was unusually bright (8.3) and apparently it was almost as
bright as the "WEBS(of Aris?) at its brightest". The crater was
apparently normal again on Sep 20 and 26. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=
228 and the weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1990 May 03 at UT 02:03 D. Darling (Sun Praire, WI, USA, seeing
steady) observed a point of light inside Alphonsus just to the north
of the central peak, along the "center ridge". It was seen again, half
way between the central peak and the noth west rim - along the ridge.
All other features were normal. The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=403 and the
weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Purbach 1970 Apr 14 UT 12:00-14:00 Observed by Osawa (Awajt-Shima,
Japan, 8" reflector, x288) "Photos in blue and orange taken. Ill-
defined obscur. in blue photo in S. part of crater compared with
orange. (neg. is so faint it is doubtful. Apollo 13 watch. Similar to
Alter's findings in Alphonsus)." NASA catalog weight=2 (low). NASA
catalog ID #1250.
SW of Pico 1844 Apr 25 UT 20:00? Observed by Schmidt (Athens,
Greece, ? refractor) "A bluish glimmering patch of light not
quite within the dark side" NASA catalog weight=4. NASA
catalog ID #123. ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1972 Apr 21 at UT19:01 Mattingly (Apollo 16 commander, in orbit
around the Moon, using his naked eyes) saw a bright flash from below
his horizon on the lunar farside (approximate longitude=180 deg). he
was dark adapted at the time. However no sesimic event was recorded and
so Cameron suspects that this was not a meteor impact but a cosmic ray
striking his eye. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1331 and weight=3. The
ALPO/BAA weight=3.
Alphonsus 1967 Aug 13 UT 18:40-18:55 Observed by Horowitz (Haifa,
Israel, 8" reflector?) "Glow or hazy patch seen while using filters.
Brighter than background. Not seen after 2055 or next nite" NASA
catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #1041.
Peirce A (Swift=IAU name) 1937 Mar? 23? UTC 22:00 Observed by Wilkins
(England, UK, 12.5" reflector) "Obscuration on floor if crater. Crater
invis. (similar to #394, 396)." NASA catalog weight=4 (high). NASA
catalog ID #412. Note this is almost certainly supposed
to be 1934 Dec 23!
Morales of France?, observed "an illumination" in Kepler on 1884 Feb 05
at UT20:00?. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID is 241 and the weight=1. The
ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1972 Apr 22 at UT 17:30-18:15 Iwanoff (60mm refractor, 1000mm focal
length,transparency 3 out of 5 and seeing 3 out of 5, located at 53deg
5' N and 8deg 45'E) At Censorinus a diffuse bright area, greater than
the crater itself, yellow to white in colour. Published in Hilbrecht
and Kuveler, Moon and Planets, 30 (1984) p53-61. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1974 Mar 02 at UT 23:00 Fitton (Lancashire, UK, 8.5" reflector,
x200, seeing = excellent and transparency = excellent) observed "A fine
deep red line seen at 1st contact with B-ring of Saturn. Nothing
unusual at A-ring contact. Persisted during occult. of B-ring. It
divided into 2 components & space between B-ring & globe cutting ring
into 2 disjointed ends persisted till dark limb passed onto globe of
Saturn, then a short red line corresponding exactly to chord of planet
disk defined by lunar limb. It increased in length as occult.
progressed. It suddenly vanished after 3/4 of globe had been occulted.
No afterglow at spot on limb, no irreg. at limb could be seen. Obs.
eliminates Saturn, telescope, & atmosp. as possible cause. Suggests
refraction from tenuous atm. of destructive interference of reflected
light from very small angle at limb, or diffraction of Saturn light
grazing limb". The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1389 and weight=1. The
ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Linne 1867 Jan 14 UT 20:00 Observed by Knott (England?) "White covering
had seemingly disappeared, was a dark spot. Definition (seeing?) was
poor." NASA catalog weight=1 very low. NASA catalog ID #148.
On 1972 Apr 22 at UT 18:58-00:28 Hopp (75mm refractor, 1200mm focal
length,transparency 4 out of 5 and seeing 4 out of 5, located at 52deg
30' N and 13deg 15'E) Censorinus brighter than normal relative to
Proclus. Published in Hilbrecht and Kuveler, Moon and Planets, 30
(1984) p53-61. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1960 Feb 06 at UT14:30 Morozov (Moscow, Russia) saw with the naked
eye a bright point inmovable but with brightness variations in dark
part of Moon, 3days past first quarter, 2days before SR! (says
Cameron). Cameron 1978 catalog ID=728 and weight=3.
On 1975Mar22 at UT 21:17-21:23 Findlay and Ford (Mills Observatory,
Dundee, UK, 25cm refractor, Wratten 25 and 44a filters used) A white
spot was observed on the rim of Bulialdus that was perhaps slightly
brighter in red than in white light. The observers however decided that
they did not regard this as a TLP. This is a BAA Lunar Section
Observation. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1997 Dec 09 at UT 18:42-19:02 P. Salimbeni(Cugliate Fabiasco,
Italy, 20cm reflector) observed colour on the northern edge of the
crater - 23A filter used. This is a UAI reported observation and has
come from this organizations web ste. The ALPO/BAA weight=3.
On 1975 Mar 22 at UT22:10-22:25 T.Flynn (Edinburgh, UK, 30cm
Newtownian, x75) observed 3 large areas on the floor of Plato to be
delicately darker in the blue filter. There were of different darkness.
He did not regard these as TLP, but permanent blinks. This is a BAA
report. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1991 May 24 at UT 00:05-00:08 UT Romualdo Lourencon (Sao
Paulo, Brazil, 60mm refractor, seeing=III) detected a circular
cloud in Jansen B and H? (Gazateer report says F and K). "The
crater of the event 100km diam. compared to Copernicus, dark
with crescent obscured region below it. Was S of Jansen. A
circular depression there was before LTP in darkness. Wonders if
circ. depr. was shadow of cloud? The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=
428a and the weight=3. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1975 Mar 23 at UT 20:40 P.W. Foley (Kent, UK) found a brownish
colour on the north west wall. This is a BAA Lunar Section report. The
ALPO/BAA weight=2.
Bullialdus 1979 Oct 31 UT 20:20-20:30 G.W. Amery (Reading, UK)
observed a plateau area to be dark and distinct in blue light
(Wratten 44a), but only just visibly in red (Wratten 25) and
yellow light. Observer wonders if this is natural surface
colour? ALPO/BAA weight=1.
SE limb of Moon 2003 Aug 08 UTC 20:50 Observer Brook (Plymouth, UK)
x70 60mm OG on a very hot evening, when I saw a fountain-like
appearance suddenly "squirt" from the SE limb. Seeing not particularly
good, but not so poor as to account for what was seen. Duration of
phenomenom perhaps a fraction of a second, hight of pehaps a few miles.
Thought I saw another one a few minutes later. - observer suspected hot
weather and Moon's low altitude" The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Gassendi - 1966 Sep 25 UT 20:20-20:50 observed by Moore and
Moseley(Armagh, N.Ireland, 10" refracfor x140) "Reddish patches,
regarded dubious, owing to low altitude of the Moon". NASA
catalog weight=1. NASA catalog ID #981. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1991 May 24 at UT 23:10 M.C. Cook (Frimley, UK) found the
apron region of Censorinus had a very dull white apron, but was
not diffuse. A sketch was supplied by this experienced observer.
The Cameron 2006 catalog ID=428b and the weight=3. The ALPO/BAA
weight=2.
Plato 1971 Apr 13 UT 03:30-04:30 W. Cameron (Greenbelt, MD,
USA, 36" reflector & 6" grating) "spectrum obtained showed an
extra absorption line at 4908+/-4A & possibly another. No other
of 6 spectra of other features on the plate show it. No other of
20 spectra of Plato, including another on the same nite show it.
Further reduction & analysis remain to be done." NASA weight=5.
NASA catalog ID=#1291. ALPO/BAA weight=5.
Atlas 1954 Mar 23 UTC 00:00? Observed by Delmotte (France?) "Violet
tint in crater" NASA catalog weight=3 (average). NASA catalog ID #562.
Plato 1886 Nov 14 UT UT 21:45 Observed by Lihou (France?) "Brilliant
band N-S, area marked G in NE was only slightly visible, poorly
defined. Drawing (there were rays on the floor)." NASA catalog weight=3
(average). NASA catalog ID #253.
Plato 1966 Aug 05/06 UT 23:37-02:58 Observers: Corvan, Moseley
(Armagh, N.Ireland, 10" refractor, x280) and Ringsdore (England,
8.5" reflector) "Several red glows at different places at
different times. Each lasted a few min. (not confirmed by
Ringsdore. Given as 8/4 in MBMW) NASA catalog weight=4, NASA
catalog ID=#964. ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1958 Jul 14 at UT 21:00 Classen (Pulsnitz Observatory, East Germany,
8" refractor) observed Kepler to be 0.5 magnitudes brighter than
Aristarchus, normally it is the other way around with Aristarchus being
0.3 brighter than Kepler. The Cameron 1978 catalog ID=1084 and weight=
3. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.
On 1982 Oct 08 at UT 04:15-04:30 W. Cameron (Silverspring, MD, USA,
3.5" reflector, x160, Seeing-very good) suspected blue tinge on north
west rim and brown/red on south east rim of Aristarchus crater + focus
was slightly difficult. No similar colour effect seen on other craters.
Cameron 2006 catalog ID=186 and weight=1. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1982 Oct 08 at UT 04:15-04:30 W. Cameron (Silverspring, MD, USA,
3.5" reflector, x160) found that Clavius had a "D" shaped crater on its
outskirts that made it appear to have a ridge crossing through it.
Cameron 2006 catalog ID=186 and weight=1. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1989 Apr 26 at UT 10:22-10:44 D. Darling (Sun Praire, WI, USA, 3"
refractor, x36-x140) found that the eastern half of Plato crater was
dark - and he checked this using several eyepieces. moderate
magnification resolved the dark region into bands, but too high a
magnification (x140) made the bands dissappear. The Cameron 2006
catalog ID=362 and the weight=0. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Tycho 1983Aug30 UT 00:15-00:18 R. Moseley (Coventry, UK, 6"
f/10 reflector, x60, transparency very good, seeing III,
improving with altitude) attention initially caught by the
impression of a rosy colouration along the NW crest and outer
wall. For perhaps 2-3 min this persisted - before fading
entirely. The observer felt that the cause may have been
psysiological - or short-lived spurious colour. However
interestingly nearby craters did not show the effect. A
sketch was made over a longer time span 00:15-00:40UT.
ALPO/BAA weight=1.
In 1919 Feb 21 at UT 22:00? an unknown English observer observed in
Lexell crater an intensely dark line going out from it. The Cameron
1978 catalog ID=370 and weight=1. The ALPO/BAA weight=1.
On 1981 Sep 20 at UT 08:00-09:40 D. Darling (Sun Praire, WI, USA,
12.5" reflector, x342, seeing=excellent) detected the small crater on
its western rim But not on the eastern floor. This was odd because both
are equal in size, furthermore smaller craters could be seen and the
Moon was at a high altitude above the horizon, so seeing not a problem.
Cameron 2006 catalog ID=154 and weight=3. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
Linne 1918 Apr 04 UTC 01:00? Observed by Markov (Russia) "In place of
crater only a hill 2km in diam. was vis. (seen in dark). " NASA catalog
weight=1, low, NASA catalof ID #368. ALPO/BAA weight=1.
"Observed early morning Moon, with 60mm OG x120, from 02-20 to 02-45
hrs UT targeting Plato, Aristarchus, and Alphonsus. From 02-20 to 02-30
hrs UT. Aristachus showed a faint pink colouration, where the light
material contacted the darker Mare surface. This was not seen after 02-
30 hrs UT." Transparency very good, seeing somewhat unsteady at first,
improving later on. The ALPO/BAA weight=2.