OPERATION MOON WATCH
LUNAR TRANSIENT PHENOMENA OBSERVING PROGRAM
CLEMENTINE PHOTOGRAPH
The call for lunar observers to participate in this global effort is to coordinate and combine the talents and efforts of the professional and amateur astronomical community from around the world. This concerted effort will be to assist all observers who choose to participate with the latest information about lunar transient phenomena and the latest information on reported events. There will also be coordinated observing programs to examine the behavior of historical lunar transient phenomena sites under similar lighting conditions.
This web site will also be an effective tool for observers with similar interests to communicate with each other concerning their own study of this phenomena and to present ideas on other lunar topics by utilizing the internet and email as a cost effective conduit.
The primary function though is to attempt to establish a world wide network of observers that can be contacted when a lunar transient phenomena event takes place. Due to cost involved the use of internet can be extremely effective and allow almost immediate notification to observers all over the world. Also being part of this network will help people learn of other observers within their region who also share an interest in this phenomena.
I have had the pleasure of establishing and running two major ground based operations in coordination with the Clementine mission and the Lunar Prospector mission. With both of these programs I had about 150 observers in many different countries participate with great success. What I did not have was a WEB Site to allow more interaction with the observers and have the ability to post the latest information about recently observed phenomena.
It is generally expected that observers participating with this program would have a background in lunar observing. This is very helpful but should not discourage the newcomer to lunar observing. I have established a manual for frequently asked questions about how to observe and document lunar transient phenomena. Also there are many books on lunar observing that have been published that will assists the observer in a better understanding of this subject..
You are probably wondering what is this going to cost you. In the form of money nothing. I require no dues or fees for your participation. I only require that you observe, document, and submit observations. The time commit to the program is up to you. There is generally four levels of participation. The first level is to just monitor the Moon whenever out observing and if you detect something unusual you submit a report and if possible activate the lunar transient phenomena network to attempt to get a confirmation. The second level is to systematically observe selected features on the Moon monitoring them for any changes or abnormal appearance. The third level is to participate in coordinated observing sessions of a specific lunar feature, recording and documenting what is observed during that observing window and submitting your reports to be evaluated and analyzed. The fourth level would be to monitor the Moon during a space mission to the Moon. Presently there are no missions at the Moon. The Lunar Prospector was the last and the observations from that will be posted on the web page soon. Future missions on the drawing table are the Smart 1 planned launch in October 2002 by the European Space Agency, and the Lunar A to be launched in 2004 or 2005 by the Japanese Space Agency. The third mission called Lunarsat will happen in 2005 and is by the European Space Agency. The fourth mission on the table is again by the Japanese and is called Selene and expected to launch in 2004. There is also a private company called Trans Orbital which is planning a Moon shot to conduct live video and high resolution imaging of the lunar surface, sometime in 2004. This mission will only last for three months.
If you want to become a part of this international program click on the registration form below and join the great adventure.
David O. Darling, Lunar Transient Phenomena Recorder, A.L.P.O. & A.L.S.