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Lunar transient phenomena /LTP/ - Manifestations, site distribution, correlations and possible causesMore than 1400 observations of lunar transient phenomena (LTP), encompassing brightenings, darkenings, and gaseous, reddish, and bluish events, are analyzed in an attempt to determine the possible causes of LTP. Hypotheses considered include effects of earth tides on the moon, low-angle illumination, thermal luminescence, UV heating, solar-particle acceleration by the magnetopause of earth's magnetotail, terrestrial magnetotail bow-shock-front turbulence, cathode luminescence due to magnetotail effects, and solar-flare particle bombardment. Analysis are performed in terms of histograms of the number of observations vs. phase of anomalistic period and of number vs. moon's age, percentage of numbers of observed phenomena and percentage of expected numbers as well as their ratios, and albedo behavior over a lunation period of chosen permanent points in ten specific features. The results indicate that different phenomena may have different causes, strong tidal effects are dubious, correlations with sunrise are most frequent, and the distribution of all LTP sites is distinct from that of deep- and shallow-focus moonquake epicenters.
Document ID
19770059463
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Cameron, W. S.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center National Space Science Data Center, Greenbelt, Md., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1977
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
77A42315
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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