Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Science
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For centuries, sky-gazers have reported seeing peculiar events on the moon’s surface called transient lunar phenomena (TLPs).
TLPs – These are short-lived, unusual visual events on the moon's surface, such as flashes, glows, or changes in color.
Visibility – They last from a few seconds to several hours before fading, and can grow from less than a few to a hundred kilometers in size.
Appearance – The most common sightings include bright, star-like points of light, reddish or coloured glows, and some sort of mists obscuring the view.
Active areas– Includes the Aristarchus & Plato craters.
Possible causes/theories for origin –Reported for over 1,000 years, their precise causes are not correctly known.
Meteoroid impacts –Frequent on the moon because it lacks a protective atmosphere, these high-velocity collisions can generate a flash of light.
Release of gases – The outgassing of gasses like radon and argon from beneath the moon’s surface can disturb lunar dust, making it glow or reflect sunlight.
Electrostatic phenomena – Lunar dust can become electrically charged by solar radiation, this charged dust may levitate or move, producing light scattering or glows.
Optical Effects / Human Perception - Earth’s atmospheric turbulence or telescope aberrations can sometimes mimic brief flashes or color changes.
Solar Illumination Geometry- Low Sun angles can make certain features appear to brighten or dim abruptly as shadows shift.
Atmospheric effects on earth –Sometimes, disturbances or distortions in Earth’s atmosphere may create the illusion of TLPs and distort our view of the moon.
Scientific implication –The scientists suggest that the moon may be more geologically dynamic than previously assumed.
Modern Investigations
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) monitors for surface changes to identify possible recent impact or gas release activity.
Automated telescopic networks on Earth (and even amateur astronomers with high-speed cameras) now confirm that many “flashes” correspond to meteoroid impacts.
Significance – Provides useful insight into the Moon's geology,surface activity, and internal processes,assisting scientists in gaining a betterunderstanding of moon.
