Beginning July 8 and continuing through July 14, the Moon will enter a negative
libration node cycle. The south polar region will become increasing exposed
beginning on July 8 at about 12UT with a -1.3 degs of libration in latitude, a
99% illuminated fraction (from the lunar west) and a low altitude for northern
hemsphere observers and ending on July 13 at about 12UT with about -6.5
libration, a 69% illuminated fraction (from the lunar west), and a higher local
horizon altitude for northern hemisphere observers. At the predicted time of
LCROSS impact (October 9 11:30 UT (5:30 MDT)), the Moon will be at 71%
illuminated fraction and libration in latitude of -3.3 degs. Southern hemisphere
observers will have reversed favorable local altitudes between July 8 to 14.

Prior imaging focused on easterly lunar illuminations. See pages:

http://groups.google.com/group/lcross_observation/web/index-to-images
http://groups.google.com/group/lcross_observation/web/atlas-of-polar-images-abov\
e-lat-80

Jim Mosher has collected available west lunar illuminations images, e.g. -

http://ltvt.wikispaces.com/file/view/LCROSS_2009Oct9_1130UT.JPG/75571577

in -

http://ltvt.wikispaces.com/LCROSS+Impact

Group members here may wish to consider returning to imaging the south pole from
the current westerly illumination and libration-in-latitude cycle. For northern
hemisphere observers, obtaining good images may not be practical because of the
Moon's low summer seasonal altitude. Nonetheless, topographic study with this
new illumination will help in rapidly locating the LCROSS impact in October.
This is the first of two available imaging cycles available to view and image
the south polar region at analogous librations-in-latitude, illuminated fraction
and illumination direction between now and October 9.

Clear Skies, Kurt