LCROSS: South pole imaging opportunity 7-8 to 7-14

[cano...@yahoo.com]

Beginning July 8 and continuing through July 14, the Moon will enter a
negative libration node cycle. The south polar region will become
increasing exposed beginning on July 8 at about 12UT with a -1.3 degs
of libration in latitude, a 99% illuminated fraction (from the lunar
west) and a low altitude for northern hemsphere observers and ending
on July 13 at about 12UT with about -6.5 libration, a 69% illuminated
fraction (from the lunar west), and a higher local horizon altitude
for northern hemisphere observers. At the predicted time of LCROSS
impact (October 9 11:30 UT (5:30 MDT)), the Moon will be at 71%
illuminated fraction and libration in latitude of -3.3 degs. Southern
hemisphere observers will have reversed favorable local altitudes
between July 8 to 14.

Prior imaging in this newsgroup focused on easterly lunar
illuminations. See pages:

http://groups.google.com/group/lcross_observation/web/index-to-images
http://groups.google.com/group/lcross_observation/web/atlas-of-polar-images-above-lat-80

Jim Mosher has collected available west lunar illuminations images,
e.g. -

http://ltvt.wikispaces.com/file/view/LCROSS_2009Oct9_1130UT.JPG/75571577

in -

http://ltvt.wikispaces.com/LCROSS+Impact

Group members here may wish to consider returning to imaging the south
pole from the current westerly illumination and libration-in-latitude
cycle. For northern hemisphere observers, obtaining good images may
not be practical because of the Moon's low summer seasonal altitude.
Nonetheless, topographic study with this new illumination will help in
rapidly locating the LCROSS impact in October. This is the first of
two available imaging cycles available to view and image the south
polar region at analogous librations-in-latitude, illuminated fraction
and illumination direction between now and October 9.

Clear Skies, Kurt