METEOR IMPACTS 

VS

LUNAR TRANSIENT PHENOMENA REPORTS.

BY

DAVID O. DARLING

One possible cause that has not been examined closely is whether the hourly meteor rate during the year would have any correlation with the number of lunar transient phenomena reports by month of the year. When looking at the data presented in the graph below I display both phenomena, the hourly meteor rate was inflated by adding a 0 behind the number so it would interface better with the L.T.P. data. For example when looking at the month of January which shown as 100 when in reality it is only 10 meteor per hour. The remaining graphs will reflect the correct numerical value for hourly meteor count. Keeping that in mind we will examine all the different classification of lunar transient phenomena against the meteor count in Earth's skies. I decided it was important to examine this possibility to determine if the meteor showers that we see each month in our skies may account for certain L.T.P. events. With the Moon having a very rarefied atmosphere, the meteorites would impact on the lunar surface kicking up dust and lunar soil. If this was happening to the extent that it would be visible from Earth, one kind of lunar transient phenomena event may correlate and show increased activity when the meteor shower activity is on the increase. The hourly meteor data was obtained from The Amateur Astronomer Handbook, Guide to Exploring the Heavens by James Muirden 1974

The graph below displays total L.T.P. activity against the hourly meteor rate. There appears to be no significant match between the two events. 

Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research

The graph below correlates the hourly meteor rate against the number of brightening L.T.P. events were reported by months of the year. Again no real correlation detected with this data.

Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research

The graph below examines the darkening event and finds no significant correlation with meteor activity.

Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research

When examining the gaseous events again no significant correlation was found.

Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research

When examining the L.T.P. bluish events against the meteor activity again no significant correlation was found.

Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research

When examining L.T.P. reddish events against hourly meteor count again nothing significant was found.

Graph © 2004 by David O. Darling, Director L.T.P. Research

Conclusion: When examining the data of lunar transient phenomena by classification type against the hourly meteor count, I found that meteor impacts onto the lunar surface has no significant effect with this phenomena.