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REPORT
NASA TR R-277
\s%
CHRONOLOGICAL CATALOG
OF REPORTED LUNAR EVENTS
by
Barbara M. Middlehurst
University of Arizona
Jaylee
M.
Burley
Goddard Space
Patrick
Flight Center
Moore
Armagh Planetarium
and
Barbara L. Welther
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
WASHINGTON,
D.
C.
JULY 1968
NASA TR R-277
Patrick Moore
Armagh Planetarium
Armagh, Northern Ireland
and
Barbara L. Welther
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Cambridge, Mass.
ABSTRACT
A
In
11
of the
ob-
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
DESCRIPTION OF CATALOG
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
REFERENCES
45
in
indicated by stars
Frontispiece-Topographical distribution of reported lunar event sites
[After Middlehurst and Moore, 1967, Science 755, 449.]
IV
INTRODUCTION
catalog of reports of lunar events, or temporary changes on the moon, has been compiled
of
ence has been consulted; secondary sources such as the new (1964) edition of Houzeau and Lancaster's Bibliographie General d'Astronomie and the Astronomischer Jahresbericht were also
used.
The purpose
name
of the ob-
on the moon.
lunar event is defined here as a temporary change, other than that due merely to conditions
of illumination, in the
appearance
kilometers in dimension.
few
scurations, and brightening of the floors of craters and other small areas have been included.
many
of these
such as Messier, Linne, and Bartlett, but in most cases, the evidence
changes, as
it
No
is not
all
from publications
number, column
now generally
available.
Column
gives a running
the use of the Gregorian calendar* and the time at 0 longitude except
column
5 the
Due
to the
form
of the data
presentation the
maximum
Many cases
given,
(e.g.,
is given.
catalog.
column
it
of the
in 1961 in
As
at right
far as possible,
and west at
is in
left.
we eliminated reports
(e.g.,
sibly because of special lighting effects, multiple reflections, and changes of appearance
number
In a large
of the historical
Reports
of this type
pos-
caused
inspires confidence in the reliability of the report and, for the rest,
the observation except in the cases listed in the next section.
in the catalog.
we
to
unimportant.
The fraction of past events which is recorded in the available literature is difficult to assess.
Over the years, interest in lunar matters, and particularly in changes and events, has waxed and
waned. Wars have intervened, and bad weather cycles have undoubtedly reduced the amount of observing at times.
The number
as the light-gathering
of
is influenced
volcanoes" on
astronomers
May
in
4,
1783.
from 1783
This increase
is
to
It is
of time devoted to
notable that a
marked increase
in
to the interest
generated among
amount
armies
Moscow overran and destroyed Schroter's observatory, home, and many of his
The time was a difficult one for science, and few advances in astronomy were
later manuscripts.
made.
Reports of dark-side events are more frequent among the earlier observations, when the
light-
gathering power of most telescopes was relatively small and the field often included the image of
"Adopted in 1582 in Catholic countries, but not
Orthodox countries.
until
1752
in
in
1923
in
e.g.,
Planetary Observers (ALPO) reports) and similar undertakings in other countries helped increase
the frequency of reports of lunar events during the last few years.
the
We
attempted to eliminate
all doubtful
Less than
full realization
by the observers of the effects of changing conditions of illumination and other factors may have
resulted in erroneous reports. Hazards of illumination include earthshine (strongest during the
first
and last three days of a lunation), sunshine on peaks just beyond the terminator, differences
in albedo
and color in small regions, and multiple reflections from crater walls.
(Hammes
in
Careless re-
to
unusual light-
ing conditions or other temporary effects external to the moon, or which are unacceptable for
other reasons.
J.
in the catalog.
rise" saw a kind of ferment on the floor of Plato which clearly resembled a kind of twilight.
1856 April
1878
November
a lunar "volcano."
from
J.
the floor.
John
Correspondence
Hammes
in Scientific
American
John Hammes' respectability and good standing by the Mayor and three other citizens of
Koekuk, Iowa. On investigation, it became clear that some of Hammes' details were incorrect,
and since his drawings showed such poor detail, the site identification
1899 August 29.
by the sun.
The
sun
moon glowed
atmosphere. Some
from the
questionable.
P. Fauth (1899, Astr. Nach., 151, 219) noted that the inner parts of
is
red.
45)
to special
listed.
1964
Where
by a succession
of
number
of occasions)
felt
we
in
number
of items, but
regard to the
list of
reported events, the following critical discussions and references are given:
Burley,
J.
Chapman, W.
5,
Historical Review,"
1007-1011.
J.
Geophys.Res.,
72,
5,
No.
2,
173-189.
Icarus,
6,
No.
1,
140-142.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
record with gratitude help given by Miss C. Botley and others in locating many old
journals and the contributions of data by Drs. J. Larink, J. A. O'Keefe, P. Treanor, Mrs. W.
Cameron and many others. Mr. E. Whitaker kindly checked the evaluation of lighting conditions.
We
wish
to
is gratefully
that
acknowledged by B. M. Middlehurst.
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841-11-78-01-51
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