New Reply

Half of moon fluctuates in luminosity and hue randomly, why?

 
Share Thread Thread Tools
Jul23-12, 12:44 AM   #1
 

Half of moon fluctuates in luminosity and hue randomly, why?


I looked up at the moon with several friends and family members and the moon would gradually get brighter for 30 seconds. It would stay bright for a couple minutes and then dim down also large dark spots randomly appeared on the visible part of the moon. I did some research and read that this might be a Transient Lunar Phenomena event but most of the descriptions were just small spots of the moon lighting up. The one I witnessed, the whole visible part of the moon got brighter. I confirmed it with other witness, so I know I'm not crazy. Could it be a Transient Lunar Phenomena and if so what were those black dots? The other witnesses keep annoying me and tell me it was a UFO, so any explanation would be nice to get them of my back.
PhysOrg.com
PhysOrg
astronomy news on PhysOrg.com

>> Researchers explain magnetic field misbehavior in solar flares
>> Fragile mega-galaxy is missing link in history of cosmos
>> Researchers reveal model of Sun's magnetic field
Jul23-12, 12:48 AM   #2
 
Recognitions:
Gold Membership Gold Member
Honestly it sounds like it's just clouds. Not the normal puffy ones maybe, but maybe the large hazy ones that gradually build up as they move in.
At what point in the sky was it? High overhead, near the horizon, etc.
Jul23-12, 08:51 PM   #3
 
Sounds more like biological optics to me. The brightening and dimming could be explained by some sort of combination of dark adaptation, the moon moving onto and off of the blind spot due to eye movements (saccades), and saturation ("bleaching") of over-exposed retinal pigment. The dark spots are probably floaters in the vitreous humour of the eye.
Jul24-12, 12:24 AM   #4
 

Half of moon fluctuates in luminosity and hue randomly, why?


The moon was near horizon. It sounds close to what Drakkith said. Thanks alot. It may also close to Barakn or even a combination of both. Thanks guys any type of answer is great as long it isnt a UFO :P
New Reply

Tags
moon, phenomena, transient lunar
Thread Tools


Similar Threads for: Half of moon fluctuates in luminosity and hue randomly, why?
Thread Forum Replies
Half Question/Half-Challenge: Dimensions of of the Earth-Moon System General Astronomy 3
Astronomy, age of a moon rock, half life Biology, Chemistry & Other Homework 1
What gas giant, what moon(s) are split in half and. General Astronomy 2
are craters on the moon randomly distributed? General Astronomy 7