A Lunar Transient Phenomena Detection Program
Abstract
A program designed to detect and photographically record transient color or albedo changes which may take place on the lunar surface is in progress at the Corralitos Observatory near Las Cruces, New Mexico, operated by Northwestern University under NASA sponsorship. The image orthicon camera, in a closed circuit television chain, is placed at the Cassegrain focus of a 24-in. telescope. Interference filters, with sharp wavelength cutoff characteristics, are continuously and automatically alternated in the optical path. The resulting "blink" images in two or more regions of the visible spectrum are viewed on a large TV monitor which displays a 6 x 6 minute of arc lunar region. Each scan line corresponds to 0S.5 arc. A separate telescope and television chain are employed to simultaneously monitor the moon in the near infrared from 0.7 to 1.1 IL Since initiation of the program, in October 1965, efforts of the Corralitos staff to detect any lunar surface changes have been negative. Suspected lunar changes, reported mainly through continuous monitoring of the short-wave radio "astro-net" have not been confirmed. The planet Jupiter, used frequently as a test and calibration source, shows a very pronounced blinking of the great red spot and more subtle but easily detectable changes in the equatorial and other regions of the planet. Star pairs, also used as test sources, display a "blink" image proportional to their spectral classification difference.
- Publication:
-
The Astronomical Journal
- Pub Date:
- February 1966
- DOI:
- 10.1086/110108
- Bibcode:
- 1966AJ.....71R.389H