On 12, november 1999 UAI Lunar Section reported a
short note concerning a suspect event in Mare Serenitatis
that covered a significant area of the surface.
The GLR group on 16, november 1999 reported the interpretation that the
spot is clearly an external/internal reflex for the size. Furthermore no anomalies
were recorded by GLR observers in the same day and time. OUR report is presented
in TLP section (see link).
The UAI page was update on 3 april 2000 with the same consideration obtained
by GLR group.
Furthermore the Dr. Albino Carbognani reported his consideration according to
the GLR interpretation.
On 3 april 2000 UAI Lunar section reported also a new observation by Luca Vazzoler with the use of a refractor of 60 mm.
In this communication is reported that the observer recorded the presence of a white area near the craters Landsberg and Reinhold . The white spot was estimated to have the same size of Landsberg (about 39 Km).
The visual observation was carried out on 24 february
2000 at 1 UT (seeing good).
No other data or confirmation were available.
Our interpretation is that the spot is probably a reflex due to
the presence of an area having high albedo.
Futhermore the most curious thing about this anomaly is its size. Several features
near the two craters have these sizes.
We have not any estimemated value of the several
albedo features in this region and it is very difficult to do any specific work
or to suggest that the spot was a real event.
We admit that GLR members have trouble accepting the communication
uncritically because of this alone.
From the reported data the parameters were:
colongitude was 138.9 °, longitude and latitude selenographic was 5.6
and -6.7 ° respectively. The solar altitude on Lansberg was 67.7°.
The Moon's age was corresponding to 18,49 days (% frac. Illuminated 0.788).
Several observation and CCD images were analyzed.
CCD image obtained by Badalotti on june, 24, 1999 at 18.10
UT (SCT 250 mm f/10).
On the left is shown the area of interest.
The interested region shows the presence of extended ejecta, ridges and high albedo features.
Reinhold and Landsberg. Image from
Atlante fotografico della Luna (Nuovo Orione)
In our images there are several features having high albebo (f.e to the
NW of Reinhold, SW of Reinhold, E of Landsberg).
Albedo values (using the Elger scale) versus the time have not been reported by the observer. It is important to have standardized procedures in order to establish a normal or suspect bahavior of lunar areas under specific conditions of illumination.
Our data show that the spot is not an suspect
event but more probably it is a reflex or an high albedo feature.