I was asked to pass this along, so consider it passed: ----- Original Message ----- From: DOD121252@xxxxxxx To: suerose@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, May 31, 2004 12:20 AM Subject: Lunar Observers Wanted for Up Coming Lunar Missions LUNAR TRANSIENT PHENOMENA RESEARCH PROGRAM DAVID O. DARLING 416 WILSON STREET SUN PRAIRIE, WISCONSIN 53590-2114 USA (608) 837-6054 http://www.ltpresearch.org/ 30 May 2004 Dear Sue Rose: I am sending this letter to inform you for the need for lunar observers. They are needed to participate in a global effort to monitor the Moon for Lunar Transient Phenomena. Lunar Transient Phenomena is short lived changes detected on the Moon and can consist of glows, flashes, darkening of lunar features and red and blue color phenomena. My goal is to coordinate and combine the talents and efforts of the professional and amateur astronomical community from around the world to monitor the Moon during upcoming spacecraft missions to the Moon. This concerted effort will be to assist all observers who choose to participate with the latest information about lunar transient phenomena and the latest information on reported events. There will also be coordinated observing programs to examine the behavior of historical lunar transient phenomena sites under similar lighting conditions. This L. T. P. Research web site will also be an effective tool for observers with similar interests to communicate with each other concerning their own study of this phenomena and to present ideas on other lunar topics by utilizing the Internet and email as a cost effective conduit. The primary function though is to attempt to establish a world wide network of observers that can be contacted when a lunar transient phenomena event takes place. Due to cost involved the use of Internet can be extremely effective and allow almost immediate notification to observers all over the world. Also being part of this network will help people learn of other observers within their region who also share an interest in this phenomena. I have had the pleasure of establishing and running two major ground based operations in coordination with the Clementine mission and the Lunar Prospector mission. With both of these programs I had about 150 observers in many different countries participate with great success. What I did not have was a WEB Site to allow more interaction with the observers and have the ability to post the latest information about recently observed phenomena. The information about these two mission is located on my web page under Past Ground Based Observing Programs. It is generally expected that observers participating with this program would have a background in lunar observing. This is very helpful but should not discourage the newcomer to lunar observing. I have established a manual for frequently asked questions about how to observe and document lunar transient phenomena. Also there are many books on lunar observing that have been published that will assists the observer in a better understanding of this subject. You are probably wondering what is this going to cost you. In the form of money nothing. I require no dues or fees for your participation. I only require that you observe, document, and submit observations. The time commitment to the program is up to you. There are generally four levels of participation. The first level is to just monitor the Moon whenever out observing and if you detect something unusual you submit a report and if possible activate the lunar transient phenomena network to attempt to get a confirmation. The second level is to systematically observe selected features on the Moon monitoring them for any changes or abnormal appearance. The third level is to participate in coordinated observing sessions of a specific lunar feature, recording and documenting what is observed during that observing window and submitting your reports to be evaluated and analyzed. The fourth level would be to monitor the Moon during a space mission to the Moon. Presently there are no missions at the Moon. The Lunar Prospector was the last and the observations from that have been posted on my web page under Past Ground Based Observing Programs. Future missions on the drawing table are the Smart 1 by the European Space Agency, planned arrival to the Moon in December 2004, and the Lunar A to be launched in 2004 or 2005 by the Japanese Space Agency. Both of these missions I have contacted the Principle Investigator and they have endorsed our participation by monitoring the Moon during their time in orbit around the Moon. The third mission called Lunarsat will happen in 2005 and is by the European Space Agency. The fourth mission on the table is again by the Japanese and is called Selene and expected to launch in 2004 or 2005. There is also a private company called Trans Orbital which is planning a Moon shot to conduct live video and high resolution imaging of the lunar surface, December 2004. This mission will only last for three months. Those who decide to participate with the program at what ever level you chose will be kept informed by monthly newsletters and updates being placed onto the LTPRESEARCH web site. If you want to become a part of this international program click on the my web site and complete the registration form and join the great adventure. Thank you for taking the time for reading this request and I hope to hear from you soon. My Web Site is: http://www.ltpresearch.org/ you then go to Observer Registration and complete the form. Thank You. David O. Darling Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers & British Astronomical Association, Assistant Lunar Transient Phenomena Recorder [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Rick Tejera Editor SACnews Saguaro Astronomy Club Phoenix, Arizona SaguaroAstro@xxxxxxx www.saguaroastro.org -- See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please send personal replies to the author, not the list.