Moon Struck
Explanation:
Craters produced by ancient impacts on the
airless Moon have long been a
familiar sight.
But now observers have seen elusive
optical flashes on the lunar surface -
likely the fleeting result of impacting meteoroids.
Orchestrated by David Dunham, president of the
International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA),
video recordings made with modest equipment and
visual telescopic observations have, for the first time,
detected and confirmed a total of six flashes on the Moon's dark side.
The flashes,
some initially as bright as a third magnitude star,
were all seen within hours of the peak of this year's
Leonid meteor shower.
Their locations are indicated by the red Xs on this
projection of the Moon as it appeared on the night of November 18.
Similar flashes would have been difficult to see if
viewed against the Moon's brightly lit portion.
It has been estimated that the brightest flashes were made by
meteoroids weighing around a tenth of a kilogram, resulting
in lunar craters about one meter across.
And ... the
next chance to observe lunar impact flashes
is coming up!
Enterprising astronomers interested in long distance
lunar prospecting
should be monitoring the dark side of
a nearly first quarter Moon during the
Geminids meteor shower which will peak
around December 13.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
