Lunar
Transient Phenomena
The definition of Lunar Transient Phenomena (L.T.P.) is a short lived
phenomenon observed on the Moon. This can consist of red glows, flashes,
obscuration, and abnormal albedo and shadow effects. There have been over 2000
reports of L.T.P. going as far back as A.D. 557. We now know for some of the
reports of flashes seen on the Moon that these may have been due to meteorite impact
flashes . Other L.T.P. reports remain a mystery as to what surface physical
processes could create these?
The goals of the L.T.P. sub-section are as follows:
1)
To re-observe lunar features at the same illumination
conditions (to within +/-0.5 deg) or illumination and libration conditions (to
within +/-1 deg) of the original L.T.P. report. The purpose of this is to
determine the normal appearance of these features for comparison with the
original report, and help eliminate obvious misinterpretations of surface
features that may have occurred in the past.
2)
For the remaining reputable reports to see if there are
statistical patterns or repeating physical characteristics that would support
some of the suggested lunar surface process theories
3)
To monitor suspect L.T.P. areas in narrow band filters to look
for subtle color changes.
4)
To monitor suspect L.T.P. areas to look for brightness changes
outside the normal range expected from illumination and libration effects.
5)
If a suspect L.T.P. is detected then a telephone, text or
email alert is sent out to other observers on our network for independent
verification.
6)
To co-operate with Lunar missions as was during the 1994
mission to the Moon by the Clementine spacecraft. The Association of Lunar
& Planetary Observers (ALPO) had the opportunity to participate with this
mission by conducting ground based observations on specific lunar formations as
the spacecraft passed over them.
7)
Finally to supply copies of sketches and CCD observations to
the other ALPO Lunar groups so that they can share our observations for non-LTP
studies.
If you have been an active observer of
the Moon and feel this program is for you then please contact the L.T.P.
Coordinator for more information. We are especially interested in those with
high resolution CCD imaging skills. A joint ALPO/BAA LTP newsletter will be
emailed monthly to you.
·
Current suggested observing
·
Additional Links about LTP
·
A possible lunar flare reported in 1953?
*NEW*
·
1968 Chronologigal Catalog of Reported Lunar Events by
Barbara M. Middlehurst et al. (note the pages are rotated)
(2MB) (in PDF format)
·
1978 NASA NSSDC/WDC-A Lunar Transient Phenomena Catalog by Winifred
Sawtell Cameron
(2MB) (in PDF format)
·
Extension to
the 1978 NASA NSSDC Lunar Transient Phenomena Catalog, covering previously
unreported and new LTPs up until AD 1995 - by Winifred Sawtell Cameron
(4MB) (in PDF format)
·
Analysis of
L.T.P. Observations from 557A.D. to 1994 A.D. by Winifred Sawtell Cameron
(2MB) (in PDF format)
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