Mt. Wilson Explanation
on June 3, 2003

Can you tell me why you moved the camera direction?

Jason

 

Yes, we get many requests to look at the city lights, so I thought I'd turn the camera toward Pasadena. No other reason.

Larry Webster
UCLA Astronomy

 

Would you keep important information from the public if the government told you to?

Jason

 

Depends. If it was truly in the public interest to do so, perhaps I would. Wouldn't anyone? In the case of the Towercam images, there is nothing to tell (or not tell!). The "strange object" that "Misty" seems so fascinated with is nothing more than the plain ol' Moon. An explanation is found here: http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~obs/images/no_planet_x.jpg

Larry Webster
UCLA Astronomy

 

How can I buy that theory? How can such a small, dim cresent moon produce a bright, round image?

Jason

 

Well, your going to have to because it's no theory, it's a fact! I don't have time for a discussion on image optics now, but rest assured, it's an image of the overexposed moon, nothing more. You might have a look in our Towercam gallery for other examples of the same thing: http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~obs/tcbest.html

Larry Webster
UCLA Astronomy

 

The Moon is just now a cresent thumbnail.

Jason