The "Curtiss Cross", X-shaped lunar illumination (similar to the first quarter lunar X) should repeat by 1213 UT on January 31, 2008 for North America.

It is located between craters Parry and Gambart. If the moon is "up" at your location between 1100-1300 UT, you should be able to observe this "X" shaped or "cross" shaped illumination that can be seen on the terminator, thanks to the low angle of lunar sunset and the topography of this area (with the aid of a telescope of course).

This "X" or "cross" may not be quite as obvious in contrast to the dark side of the terminator as the First Quarter Lunar X, but it is just as fleeting of a optical event and it is definately something to look for in my opinion.


2008 – Predicted dates and times for Curtiss Cross Illumination (194.0 Co-longitude):

January 1 2135 UT
January 31 1213 UT
March 1 0221 UT
March 30 1539 UT
April 29 0402 UT
May 28 1535 UT
June 27 0236 UT
July 26 1329 UT
August 25 0041 UT
September 23 1235 UT
October 23 0126 UT
November 21 1513 UT
December 21 0540



dana t

Saw it. Imaged it. Now my home PC is down, I will post as soon as I can. Good clear sky until about 630am EST this morning. Did anyone else get a crack at it?

Pretty cool. I'd like to see the photo if you could post it whenever you can.

As I look over my predicted event times for the rest of the year, I dont think any of the remainning "Curtiss Cross" events for 2008 will be observable from my location. Three times (April, June, and December) I believe the event will be effectively over before the moon rises...Other months are even less favorable. I'll post pics from last event when I can...

dana t

Just posted pic in Astrophotography... check it out.

dana t