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Editor
Peter Grego
79 Chadwick Avenue, Rednal, Birmingham B45 8ED, United Kingdom
Editorial email: tnm@baalunarsection.org.uk

The New Moon (TNM), a magazine of lunar topographical studies, is produced by the Topographical Sub-section of the Lunar Section of the British Astronomical Association and makes an appearance twice every year. It contains articles about the Moon and its observation and features lunar images and observational drawings.

The first issue was published more than a quarter of a century ago, way back in May 1982. The magazine’s aims were outlined in the first editorial by Denis Buczynski, who wrote: “The appearance of this magazine is the culmination of much pressure over many years by various members of the Lunar Section who wished to see the return of a publication devoted to the study of lunar topography, much in the style of the 1950-60s Section publication The Moon. The old publication was a vehicle for observers to publish in detail and at regular intervals their observations, drawings and thoughts on matters lunar. The Section at the period of Apollo decided to replace the old publication with the Lunar Section Circular which still survives today. The Section Circular is a vital link with Section members, and encompasses all aspects of lunar studies, but is neither large enough nor well suited enough to the type of publication needs of the topographic sub-section. The biggest problem has been the reproduction of observers’ drawings in the Circular a well as the space required for detailed articles, etc. This new magazine will hopefully fulfill all these requirements.”

TNM’s first issue contained a real gem — an illustrated article on drawing the Moon by the 'legendary’ Leslie Ball, one of the old school of lunar observers whose roots lay firmly embedded in the impressive selenographic foundations established by the likes of Edmund Nevill (‘Neison’), Thomas Elger and Walter Goodacre during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Over the years, fascinating articles by such noteworthy lunar experts as Sir Patrick Moore and Richard Baum, along with observations by the likes of Harold Hill, Chuck Wood, Colin Ebdon, Nigel Longshaw and Grahame Wheatley, have all helped make TNM a highly respected publication worldwide.

Colin Ebdon’s editorship of TNM lasted almost a decade until I took on the job last year. If I manage to convey half as much as Colin’s enthusiasm for spreading the word that lunar observation remains an important, thoroughly relevant amateur astronomical pursuit, then TNM will go from strength to strength in the future. I plan to convert many of the previously published articles into text form and publish them online, as well as making freely available PDF versions of previously published issues (see below).

Printed copies of TNM are available directly from Alan Wells, BAA Lunar Section Director. Please contact Alan by email to arrange this, at director@baalunarsection.org.uk

Text and observational material for TNM is welcomed from BAA Lunar Section members and non-members alike. Most material is submitted by email and email attachment to my editorial email address at tnm@baalunarsection.org.uk