Observation by Bill Leatherbarrow: O'Neill's 'bridge'

Uploaded by

Bill Leatherbarrow

Observer

Bill Leatherbarrow

Observed

2018 Oct 27 - 03:23

Uploaded

2018 Oct 29 - 09:07

Objects

The Moon

Equipment

OMC300 Mak-Cass
ASI 290MM camera
IR 742nm pass filter

Location

Sheffield

Target name

Mare Crisium

Title

O'Neill's 'bridge'

About this image

On 29 July 1953, J. J. O'Neill, science editor of the 'New York Herald Tribune', reported seeing a 'gigantic natural bridge' with a span of about 12 miles between the promontories Olivium and Lavinium (unofficial names) on the western edge of the Mare Crisium. The 'discovery' caused quite a stir and was confirmed by the then-Director of the BAA Lunar Section, H. P. Wilkins. Many were deeply sceptical - with good cause - and Wilkins' reputation never recovered. This image, captured under poor seeing conditions, shows nothing in the region that could be construed as a bridge. For a fuller account of the O'Neill Bridge affair see my paper in the BAA Journal, vol. 122, no. 1 (February 2012).

Files associated with this observation

CRISIUM_04-23-04 UT_col 124,9_ZWO ASI290MM_271018_IR_AS_F1000_lapl4_ap318.jpg (34.6 kB)

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