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Transient lunar phenomenon

A transient lunar phenomenon (TLP) is a sometimes inexplicable change of color or shape seen on the surface of the moon. Some may be caused by gas escaping from underground cavities after moonquakes.

In 1866, the experienced lifelong lunar observer and mapmaker Johann Friedrich Julius Schmidt made the claim that Linné crater had changed its appearance, from a normal, relatively deep crater to a mere white patch. A controversy arose and the claim remains unproven. No further changes have been observed in the crater; if true this would not be a transient change but a permanent one.

On November 2 1958, the Russian astronomer Nikolai A. Kozyrev observed an apparent outgassing of vapor near the central peak of Alphonsus crater. He took spectrograms that appeared to show the presence of carbon vapor.

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Last updated: 10-24-2004 05:10:45