Lunar Meteoroid Impacts and How to Observe Them

The Moon and Meteoroids.- Widespread Evidence.- Lunar Impact Features.- Remarkable Collisions.- Possible Impact Phenomena (PIPs).- Beyond the Moon.- An Observer's Guide to Lunar Meteor Impacts, Past and Present.- Guide to Observing Impact Features on the Moon.- Impacts Today.- Lunar Impact Observation Programs.- Observing Impacts as They Happen with Contributions by Many Members of the International Occultation Timing Association.- Finding Collisions.- Spurious Flash or True Impact Event?.- Professional and Amateur Collaboration.

Brian Cudnik has been an amateur astronomer for over 30 years and managers the Physics laboratories at Prairie View A&M University (a part of the A&M University of Texas). He has been the coordinator of the Lunar Meteoritic Impact Search section of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) since January 2000. Cudnik began at ALPO two months after it made the first confirmed visual observation of a meteoroid impact on the Moon during the Leonid storm of November 1999. Cudnik has an MSc and has published papers and posters on various astronomical subjects, both peer-reviewed and amateur. He has served as a board member of the Houston Astronomical Society, is presently an Associate member of the American Astronomical Society, a member of the American Meteorological Society, a member of the American Association of Physics Teachers, and a regular contributor of observations to the American Association of Variable Star Observers and the International Occultation Timing Association. He teaches astronomy at the University of St. Thomas two evening per week each semester.

From the reviews:

"Cudnik (Prairie View A&M) ... presents a comprehensive observer's guide written for those who would like to directly participate in this type of research. ... This work provides a discussion of the types of impact phenomena seen throughout the solar system, a thoroughly documented set of past observations of probable and confirmed lunar impacts, and very specific recommendations for the types of equipment to use for viewers to make their own observations. ... Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries." (C. Palma, Choice, Vol. 47 (11), August, 2010)

"The successful recording of ... lunar meteoroid impacts revived interest amongst a small group of lunar observers in this observing niche and much of this book is spent describing the techniques necessary to record these very rare events. Every piece of hardware and software and every technique the digital or visual observer might want to use, to detect lunar impacts, is covered in the book. ... This book is very comprehensive and ... lunar observing specialists will feel inclined to add it to their bookshelves." (Martin Mobberley, Astronomy Now, April, 2011)

"The Moon is subject to the untrammeled force of impact from meteoroids, asteroids and comets ... . Brian Cudnik, was first to observe a meteor impact on the Moon in real time. He sets forth a programme for observing impact events based on visual / CCD experiences of a host of historical events, couching it within the guidelines set forth by the ALPO (Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers). Recommended lunar reading!" (Peter Grego, Popular Astronomy, March-April, 2011)

"Providing an historical overview of impact cratering, not only on the Moon but throughout the Solar System ... . serve as a practical guide to observing lunar meteoroid impacts and they introduce the serious amateur to a programme of observational work that can truly yield valuable results and allow genuine professional-amateur

From the reviews:

"Cudnik (Prairie View A&M) ... presents a comprehensive observer's guide written for those who would like to directly participate in this type of research. ... This work provides a discussion of the types of impact phenomena seen throughout the solar system, a thoroughly documented set of past observations of probable and confirmed lunar impacts, and very specific recommendations for the types of equipment to use for viewers to make their own observations. ... Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries." (C. Palma, Choice, Vol. 47 (11), August, 2010)

"The successful recording of ... lunar meteoroid impacts revived interest amongst a small group of lunar observers in this observing niche and much of this book is spent describing the techniques necessary to record these very rare events. Every piece of hardware and software and every technique the digital or visual observer might want to use, to detect lunar impacts, is covered in the book. ... This book is very comprehensive and ... lunar observing specialists will feel inclined to add it to their bookshelves." (Martin Mobberley, Astronomy Now, April, 2011)

"The Moon is subject to the untrammeled force of impact from meteoroids, asteroids and comets ... . Brian Cudnik, was first to observe a meteor impact on the Moon in real time. He sets forth a programme for observing impact events based on visual / CCD experiences of a host of historical events, couching it within the guidelines set forth by the ALPO (Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers). Recommended lunar reading!" (Peter Grego, Popular Astronomy, March-April, 2011)

"Providing an historical overview of impact cratering, not only on the Moon but throughout the Solar System ... . serve as a practical guide to observing lunar meteoroid impacts and they introduce the serious amateur to a programme of observational work that can truly yield valuable results and allow genuineprofessional-amateur