Transient lunar phenomenon

As a Lunar Transient Phenomena (LTP, also Transient Lunar Phenomena, TLP, transient lunar phenomena ) short-term, local brightness or color changes on the surface of the moon are called, which are perceived in astronomical observation.

It was reported more than 1500 such observations. However, many are very doubtful, since they were made especially by inexperienced observers under extreme conditions - a few sightings, however, are carried out by experienced astronomers. For example, the Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kozyrev 1958 succeeded the first time a spectral recording of such a phenomenon in the crater Alphonsus. In this LTP spectrum he thought he could detect carbon in the molecular connection.

The cause of LTP is still unknown, but above all a Restvulkanismus the moon is held responsible. Although the moon is essentially cools and shows no signs of active volcanism, could exist from which volcanic gases reach the surface and cause turbulence of the regolith by a change in the albedo smaller, yet melted areas. This assumption is also suggested that the LTP observations are heavily concentrated in a small crater on the moon: nearly a third of the observations were made on the Aristarchus; next to it are apparently Plato and Alphonsus very active.

The study of this phenomenon is coordinated by the Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers at the Department of Planetary Sciences at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

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