BAA Lunar Section Dedicated to amateur research and observation of the Moon

Who's who Sub-sections The New Moon journal Lunar Section Circulars Section history Meetings Observational archives Selected articles Resources Lunar web links   Contact webmaster

About the BAA Lunar Section In existence since 1890, the BAA Lunar Section is as old as the British Astronomical Association itself. Its roots actually go back further in time to the short-lived but highly energetic Selenographical Society (1878-82), many of whose members were leading lights in lunar research during the late Victorian and Edwardian era. The BAA Lunar Section aims to increase our knowledge of the Moon through visual observation, sketching and imaging. Regular, careful observation familiarises the observer with the intricacies of the lunar landscape, enhancing the observer's skills of perception and possibly bringing to light previously unknown albedo and topographic features. Short-lived events — coloured glows, flashes and obscurations known as transient lunar phenomena (TLP) — remain poorly understood, providing ample opportunity for specialised observing and imaging. CCD imaging provides accurate high resolution views and opens up further lines of observing and imaging research. Occultation studies form another branch of the section's many activities. BAA Exhibition Meeting, 2009 June 27: See our work and chat with BAA Lunar Section officers The Lunar Section will be represented at this year's BAA Exhibition Meeting, to be held on 27 June at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London. For more details, see the Exhibition Meeting website at www.britastro.org/exhibition Membership Membership of the BAA Lunar Section is open to members of the British Astronomical Association. Observational material, written contributions and correspondence is however welcome from anyone with an interest in the Moon and its observation. Sub-sections Observational sub-sections The BAA Lunar Section incorporates four observationally active sub-sections, each having its own specialist coordinator. These sub-sections cover: Occultations — timing the disappearance and reappearance of celestial objects at the lunar limb. Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLP) — observing temporary phenomena such as glows, flashes and obscurations at or near the lunar surface. Topography — visually observing the Moon's surface and recording it by means of notes and observational drawings.   Photography — imaging the Moon and associated phenomena. Research sub-sections In addition to the observational sub-sections above, research into the Moon is conducted by the following sub-sections: Computing — Calculating a wide range of lunar phenomena. Geology — Understanding the forces that have sculpted the Moon. Historical — Researching Moon-related material of the past. Section archives — A respository for Lunar Section publications. Lunar Section publications In adition to occasional papers in the Journal of the BAA, the section produces two publications: The Lunar Section Circular is published at approximately monthly intervals. It contains general news and the results of the work of the sub-sections. The New Moon is a magazine of lunar topographical studies. It is published about twice a year. Both of these publications are available as PDF document downloads from this website. They are also available in printed form direct from the Lunar Section Director (a supply of suitably-sized SAEs, mailed to the Director, is required to receive them). Observer's map of the Moon by Peter Grego. The lunar near-side, covered in 16 sections.