ARISTARCHUS
LUNAR LIBRATION STUDY
By
DAVID O. DARLING
Lunar Orbiter 5 Photograph (NASA)
I have also done extension evaluation of the possibility that lunar librations was a factor in the lunar transient phenomena. When taking the Earth's Selenographic Longitude and Latitude and plotting it on a combined libration scale, I found that a greater occurrence took place when the Moon librated toward the southwest. To give the reader a better understanding of what this mean, I will explain. The Earth's Selenographic Longitude and Latitude is the position on the Moon that the observer would have to stand in order for the Earth to appear at zenith in the lunar sky. This process changes daily, and no two months may be the same. To learn more about using the libration plot click here. I have completed a plot on the Combined Libration Scale chart shown below. Each black spot represents a specific L.T.P. event. This highly useful tool was developed by the British Astronomical Association (B.A.A.) lunar section.
Aristarchus Plot Total L.T.P. Events.
Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research
Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research
When looking at the libration plot for all L.T.P. reported, it is clear to see that the southwest and northwest have more L.T.P. activity reported than the other two quadrants. So when the western limb of the Moon is turned toward us we have a greater chance for seeing an event. This may be an indication that libration angle may be a contributing factor for activity in this crater. If you want to examine the break down of data of L.T.P. distribution by 56 bins click here.
Aristarchus Plot Brightening L.T.P. Events
Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research
Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research
When examining the Brightening L.T.P. one finds that libration toward the southwest gives strongest responses.
Aristarchus Plot Bluish Events
Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research
Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research
The Bluish (Violet) L.T.P. events show a stronger presence in the southwest and northwest quadrant, staying in line with the total L.T.P. plot.
Aristarchus Plot Reddish Events
Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research
Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research
When looking at Reddish L.T.P. events again the northwest quadrant strongest.
Aristarchus Plot Gaseous Events.
Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research.
Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research.
Gaseous L.T.P. events are more prevalent in southwest and northwest quadrants.
Aristarchus Plots Darkening
Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research.
Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research.
When plotting the Darkening L.T.P. events it is surprising to find that the strongest quadrant is the northeast. This quadrant has not been dominated by any type of five L.T.P. types.
Aristarchus Plots Earthshine Events.
Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research.
Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research.
When we plot all the earthshine events listed in the data the southwest quadrant is the most dominate, agreeing with the total L.T.P. plots.
Aristarchus L.T.P. Events
68.08% in Sun light, and 31.92% in Earthshine.
Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research.