WFS Lunar Section
"Torricelli B" - Homepage
(Last modified on 2001-02-18)
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Observation Request
A possible TLP in crater "Torricelli B"
Estimated time for Europe: 3:00-4:00 UT. (4:00-5:00 MET)
Estimated time for America: 4:30-5:30 UT.
-> See Details
As this opportunity happens only in intervals of 18 years and 10,33 days (called a saros cycle), you should not miss it this time. As the weather conditions in early February are unreliable, as many observers in as many different locations as possible should participate in the event. To help make it a success, I urge all Observers, that they take an active role in organising local campaigns.
Questions:
- What exactly is a TLP?
- How come one can predict TLP-events?
- Why on that particular day?
- Why in Torricelli B?
- Where exactly is the crater "Torricelli B"?
- What is expected on 2001, February 9th?
- Which preparations are necessary?
- How can we coordinate the observation event?
- What has been planned so far?
What exactly is a TLP? How come one can predict TLP-events?
A TLP (Transient Lunar Phenomenon) is a (luminous) event on the lunar surface that we can observe for just a very limited (short) period of time. The event will last from a few seconds up to a duration of some hours. There are a number of different explanations to the causes of such an event. The most promising of theories is that of an outgassing event with a piezoelectrical ignition. This might indicate the last traces of lunar geological activity.
There are also reports of "Leonid" meteor hits and another theory that makes it possible to predict TLPs: it might be that some locations on the lunar surface appear brighter than usual just because the suns light is reflected in it at that moment. This effect repeats itself only when sun, earth and moon meet again in exactly the same geometrical constellation - that is after a span of time that we call a saros and lasts 18 years and 10,33 days.
Example of a (terrestrial) TLP as seen from the Galileo spacecraft in 1992. (Sunlight reflected on the Pacific Ocean)
For more information on TLPs look up the TLP-page .
Why on that particular day? Why in Torricelli B?
A report from 1983, January 29th states, that for a short period of time "Torricelli B" was the brightest spot on the moon. 2001, February 9th is exactly one saros of 18 years and 10,33 days later. Sun, earth and moon will meet again in exactly the same geometrical position. If the Torricelli B event in 1983 was due to lighting conditions, we should be able to observe this again.
Where exactly is the crater "Torricelli B"?
2,6 degree south, 29.1 degree east, 7 km diameter, in Sinus Asperitatis
What is expected on 2001, February 9th?
It is expected that Torricelli B will be significantly brighter or at least "different" to its usual appearance. It is absolutely necessary to have some observations of the crater before the actual event takes place. This way you will be able to detect differences. All timed obervations will be of tremendous help - visually, with film camera, CCD or video equipment. Even observers who join in on 2001 February 9th for the first time can help with their additional images.
Which preparations are necessary?
On 2001, February 9th, the day before the Torricelli B event, there is a full moon. Consequently all other full moons up to that date are good candidates to prepare your observations. Full moons are on 2000, December 11th and 2001, January 9th. (Which is also a lunar eclipse)
What has happend so far? Reports:
How to find Torricelli.
Check Equipment.
Lecture on TLPs and Torricelli B. Presented to the "Astronomical Working Group".
Status report.
How can we coordinate the observation event?
Observatories, astronomical clubs etc. may notify their members of the event.
It is advisable to organise workshops for: How to observe the moon. What focal length do I need? Exposure time? (On a full moon!) How to use a video camera on a telescope? Etc.
The lunar eclipse on 2001, January 9th is a good opportunity to tell friends and visitors of the possible TLP event on 2001, February 9th.
Informations regarding weather and observing conditions should be passed around during the event using E-Mail or telephone. Equipment permitting, one should put images directly to the web.
- More images and Text sources.
- Download the 2-page "Observation Request". (PDF-Datei, 48 kB)
- Download the 2-page "Observation Request". (Postscript-File, 124 kB)
- The most complete article on the subject is "The strange behaviour of Torricelli B" in Journal of the British Astronomical Association. (June 2000, Vol. 110, No.3, p.117-123) by Marie C. Cook.
Please view the following PDF-Files at 100%.
Full Article, pages 1-7, PDF, 2 MB
Page 1, PDF, 296 kB
Page 2, PDF, 312 kB
Page 3, PDF, 324 kB
Page 4, PDF, 304 kB
Page 5, PDF, 316 kB
Page 6, PDF, 320 kB
Page 7, PDF, 264 kB
My gratitude to Marie C. Cook and the Journal of the BAA for the PDF files.
-
- View from "Torricelli B" on 2001-02-09. (JPG, 450x135, 20 kB)
- [NEW] 2001-01-21 The Sun-glint running over earth's face in 1983 and 2001.
- [NEU] 2001-01-27 Size of the Sun-glint on Earth.
What has been planned so far?
At Wilhelm-Foerster-Observatory in Berlin we plan to broadcast the event live to the Internet. We have arranged a cooperation with the DLR Institute for Space Sensor Technologie and Planetary Exploration. (For those of you who don't know this: DLR is the German NASA) If you can provide us with images or other informations, we can put it on the web-page too. If you like to participate do not hesitate to contact me.
| | Previous reports | Activities 11/2000 to 01/2001 |
| | | |
| Wednesday, 07.02.2001 | 18:00 h | Workshop "Observing the Moon"
Wilhelm-Foerster-Observatory |
| Wednesday, 07.02.2001 | 20:00 h | Lecture "Geology of the Moon"
Harald Hoffmann, DLR
Planetarium at the Insulaner |
| Friday, 09.02.2001 | from 00:01 h | Observations of "Torricelli B"
Wilhelm-Foerster-Observatory |
Mailing-List for "Torricelli B"
There will be constant updates to the Torricelli web-pages and a weekly Newsletter by E-Mail until next February.
If you like to receive the Newsletter, please send an E-Mail with subject "Torricelli B" to Wilfried.Tost@dlr.de. Include the word "NEWS-Letter english" into the body text. Be so kind and include your location.
[NEW] 2001-02-02
Participating Institutions and Individuals
The distribution file for the Torricelli newsletter has about 100 entries. For less than 50% of the entries I know the locations where they plan to observ. From those that gave me this information I drew a map.
The following links show web sites of participating institutions. You may visit them for further informations and observing hints. The list is not complete.
English language sites:
- The BAA (British Astronomical Association) and their Lunar Section.
It all started with an article of Marie C. Cook in the June issue of the Journal of the BAA. Again my gratitude for allowing me the use of the article on my web pages. (see above)
- David Darling as TLP-Coordinator of the ALPO (Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers) alerted the observers in America
- Paul Goelz from the area around Detrot, Michigan, USA, will put "live" images on his web page during the Torricelli night. His site covers a lot of other interesting astronomical information.
- The Lunar Section of the UAI (Union of Italian Astronomers), started independently a Torricelli-Campaigne of their own. You can find hints for the observation and evaluation of your data on these pages.
- The GLR (Geologic Research Group) is another institution based in Italy. They have already assembled a large number of photos and drawings of Torricelli so far. You can find hints for estimating brightnesses and their evaluation. It further covers a lot result from lunar research and TLPs.
- I liked especially these pages: The Nicholas Copernicus Observatorium und Planetarium in Brno, Czech Republic. The site contains beautiful photos, drawings and links concerning the moon. It even shows the very young moon of 14 hours and less.
German language sites:
Homepage of the WFS Lunar Section (German)
Homepage of WFS...
