Have you ever wondered what happens on the dark side of the moon? While most of us are familiar with the phases of the moon that we can see from Earth, there is a whole other world of lunar activity that is hidden from our view. One of these activities is the mysterious phenomenon of moon wakers, which was recently discovered by a group of amateur astronomers.
Moon wakers are bright flashes of light that appear on the moon's surface, lasting for a few seconds or minutes. They are caused by the impact of meteoroids, which are small fragments of asteroids or comets that collide with the moon. The impact creates a crater and ejects dust and debris into the air, which reflects sunlight and produces a flash.
The term "moon wakers" was coined by the group of amateur astronomers who first observed and reported them in 2020. The group, which calls itself the Lunar Impact Flash Observers (LIFO), consists of hobbyists from different countries who share a passion for lunar exploration. They use telescopes, cameras, and software to monitor the moon for signs of impact flashes.
The LIFO group has recorded over 100 moon wakers since its inception, and has contributed valuable data to the scientific community. Their findings have helped researchers estimate the frequency and size of meteoroid impacts on the moon, as well as the composition and structure of the lunar surface. They have also revealed some surprising features of the moon wakers, such as their color and shape.
One of the most intriguing aspects of moon wakers is that they can appear in different colors, ranging from white to red to blue. The color depends on the temperature and chemical composition of the impact site, as well as the angle of sunlight. For example, a red flash may indicate a high-iron content in the soil, while a blue flash may indicate a low-iron content.
Another interesting feature of moon wakers is that they can have different shapes, such as circular, elliptical, or irregular. The shape depends on the speed and direction of the meteoroid, as well as the topography of the impact site. For example, a circular flash may indicate a perpendicular impact, while an elliptical flash may indicate an oblique impact.
The LIFO group hopes to continue their observations and discoveries in the future, and to inspire more people to join their efforts. They also hope to collaborate with other amateur and professional astronomers around the world, and to share their data and findings with the public. They believe that moon wakers are not only a fascinating phenomenon, but also a testament to the power and beauty of nature.