Was the Formation of Lunar Crater Giordano Bruno Witnessed in 1178? Look Again.

Abstract

The assumption that five men witnessed the formation of the lunar crater Giordano Bruno on June 18, 1178, is analyzed. The difficulties inherent in this interpretation are discussed. The only tenable solution — that of a meteor passing before the moon — is presented.

Formation age of the lunar crater Giordano Bruno

“…For example, there is no historical record of a large meteor storm that should have occurred in the Earth's atmosphere after Giordano Bruno formation (Withers 2001). Also, Nininger and Huss (1977) suggested a meteor transiting the Moon as one possible astronomical explanation of the eye-witnessed transient phenomenon.…”

‘The moon quivered like a snake’: A medieval chronicler, lunar explosions, and a puzzle for modern interpretation

“…The only alternative attempt at explaining what might have been seen in 1178 has been the suggestion by Nininger and Huss (1977) that the observers might have been viewing a meteor in transit of the moon and heading straight towards them. Although they carefully rejected Hartung's explanation on grounds that included the notion that an impact event is hardly likely to have repeated twelve times or more, as stated in Gervase's text, they struggled to reconcile their own model with this repetition.…”

“…In this connection, it is worth noting that there are no reports of such an observation in other contemporary chronicles. In terms of interpretation, aside from Hartung's (1976) original suggestion of a lunar meteorite impact, the only alternative proposal proffered is that of Nininger and Huss (1977), namely a meteorite in transit of the moon seen head-on. Both explanations are weak, though not implausible, in respect to a key statement in the record, which is that the phenomenon was repeated 'twelve or more' times.…”

Disaster Planning for Cosmic Impacts: Progress and Weaknesses

“…Hartung (1976) has argued that this was the first and only sighting, in recorded history of a large asteroid striking the moon and contended that this collision created the twenty-two kilometer-wide crater, known as Giordano Bruno. In contrast, Nininger and Huss (1977) postulated that the twelfth century English eyewitnesses had seen a meteor in the Earth's atmosphere that happened to be in the line of sight of the moon. Calame and Mulholland (1978), however, strongly support Hartung's position, arguing that the moon was still reverberating from the collision and ringing like a bell.…”