Optimal Selenodetic Control
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New Candidate Pits and Caves at High Latitudes on the Near Side of the Moon
52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2021 (LPI Contrib. No. 2548) 2733.pdf NEW CANDIDATE PITS AND CAVES AT HIGH LATITUDES ON THE NEAR SIDE OF THE MOON. 1,2 1,3,4 1 2 Wynnie Avent II and Pascal Lee , S ETI Institute, Mountain View, VA, USA, V irginia Polytechnic Institute 3 4 and State University Blacksburg, VA, USA. M ars Institute, N ASA Ames Research Center. Summary: 35 new candidate pits are identified in Anaxagoras and Philolaus, two high-latitude impact structures on the near side of the Moon. Introduction: Since the discovery in 2009 of the Marius Hills Pit (Haruyama et al. 2009), a.k.a. the “Haruyama Cavern”, over 300 hundred pits have been identified on the Moon (Wagner & Robinson 2014, Robinson & Wagner 2018). Lunar pits are small (10 to 150 m across), steep-walled, negative relief features (topographic depressions), surrounded by funnel-shaped outer slopes and, unlike impact craters, no raised rim. They are interpreted as collapse features resulting from the fall of the roof of shallow (a few Figure 1: Location of studied craters (Polar meters deep) subsurface voids, generally lava cavities. projection). Although pits on the Moon are found in mare basalt, impact melt deposits, and highland terrain of the >300 Methods: Like previous studies searching for pits pits known, all but 16 are in impact melts (Robinson & (Wagner & Robinson 2014, Robinson & Wagner 2018, Wagner 2018). Many pits are likely lava tube skylights, Lee 2018a,b,c), we used imaging data collected by the providing access to underground networks of NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Narrow tunnel-shaped caves, including possibly complex Angle Camera (NAC). -
Lab # 12: Surface of the Moon
Name: Date: 12 Surface of the Moon 12.1 Introduction One can learn a lot about the Moon by looking at the lunar surface. Even before astronauts landed on the Moon, scientists had enough data to formulate theories about the formation and evolution of the Earth’s only natural satellite. However, since the Moon rotates once for every time it orbits around the Earth, we can only see one side of the Moon from the surface of the Earth. Until spacecraft were sent to orbit the Moon, we only knew half the story. The type of orbit our Moon makes around the Earth is called a synchronous orbit. This phenomenon is shown graphically in Figure 12.1 below. If we imagine that there is one large mountain on the hemisphere facing the Earth (denoted by the small triangle on the Moon), then this mountain is always visible to us no matter where the Moon is in its orbit. As the Moon orbits around the Earth, it turns slightly so we always see the same hemisphere. Figure 12.1: The Moon’s synchronous orbit. (Not drawn to scale.) On the Moon, there are extensive lava flows, rugged highlands and many impact craters of all sizes. The overlapping of these features implies relative ages. Because of the lack of ongoing mountain building processes, or weathering by wind and water, the accumulation of volcanic processes and impact cratering is readily visible. Thus by looking at the images of the Moon, one can trace the history of the lunar surface. 129 Lab Goals: to discuss the Moon’s terrain, craters, and the theory of relative ages; to • use pictures of the Moon to deduce relative ages and formation processes of surface features Materials: Moon pictures, ruler, calculator • 12.2 Craters and Maria A crater is formed when a meteor from space strikes the lunar surface. -
Glossary Glossary
Glossary Glossary Albedo A measure of an object’s reflectivity. A pure white reflecting surface has an albedo of 1.0 (100%). A pitch-black, nonreflecting surface has an albedo of 0.0. The Moon is a fairly dark object with a combined albedo of 0.07 (reflecting 7% of the sunlight that falls upon it). The albedo range of the lunar maria is between 0.05 and 0.08. The brighter highlands have an albedo range from 0.09 to 0.15. Anorthosite Rocks rich in the mineral feldspar, making up much of the Moon’s bright highland regions. Aperture The diameter of a telescope’s objective lens or primary mirror. Apogee The point in the Moon’s orbit where it is furthest from the Earth. At apogee, the Moon can reach a maximum distance of 406,700 km from the Earth. Apollo The manned lunar program of the United States. Between July 1969 and December 1972, six Apollo missions landed on the Moon, allowing a total of 12 astronauts to explore its surface. Asteroid A minor planet. A large solid body of rock in orbit around the Sun. Banded crater A crater that displays dusky linear tracts on its inner walls and/or floor. 250 Basalt A dark, fine-grained volcanic rock, low in silicon, with a low viscosity. Basaltic material fills many of the Moon’s major basins, especially on the near side. Glossary Basin A very large circular impact structure (usually comprising multiple concentric rings) that usually displays some degree of flooding with lava. The largest and most conspicuous lava- flooded basins on the Moon are found on the near side, and most are filled to their outer edges with mare basalts. -
Lunariceprospecting V1.0.Pdf
WHITE PAPER Ice Prospecting: Your Guide to Getting Rich on the Moon Version 1.0 // May 2019 // This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Kevin M. Cannon ([email protected]) Introduction Water ice has been detected indirectly and directly within permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) at both poles of the Moon. This ice is stable against sublimation on billion-year timescales, and represents an attractive target for mining to produce oxygen and hydrogen for propellant, and water and oxygen for human life support. However, the mere presence of ice at the poles does not provide much information: Where is it exactly? How much is there? Is it thick layers of pure ice, or small amounts mixed in the soil? How hard is it to excavate? This white paper attempts to offer answers to these questions based on interpretations of the best data currently available. New prospecting missions in the future–particularly landers and Figure 1. Ice accumulation mechanisms. rovers–will continue to change and improve our understanding of ice on the Moon. This guide will be updated on an ongoing expected to be old. (2) Solar wind. The solar wind is a stream of basis to incorporate new findings. electrons, protons and other particles that are constantly colliding with the unprotected surface of the Moon. This Why is there ice on the Moon? process can create individual OH and H2O molecules that are Two factors create conditions that allow ice to accumulate able to ballistically hop across the surface, eventually migrating and persist at the lunar poles: (1) the Moon has a very small axial to the PSRs. -
Rare Astronomical Sights and Sounds
Jonathan Powell Rare Astronomical Sights and Sounds The Patrick Moore The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/3192 Rare Astronomical Sights and Sounds Jonathan Powell Jonathan Powell Ebbw Vale, United Kingdom ISSN 1431-9756 ISSN 2197-6562 (electronic) The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series ISBN 978-3-319-97700-3 ISBN 978-3-319-97701-0 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97701-0 Library of Congress Control Number: 2018953700 © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2018 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. -
JRASC-2007-04-Hr.Pdf
Publications and Products of April / avril 2007 Volume/volume 101 Number/numéro 2 [723] The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Observer’s Calendar — 2007 The award-winning RASC Observer's Calendar is your annual guide Created by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and richly illustrated by photographs from leading amateur astronomers, the calendar pages are packed with detailed information including major lunar and planetary conjunctions, The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Le Journal de la Société royale d’astronomie du Canada meteor showers, eclipses, lunar phases, and daily Moonrise and Moonset times. Canadian and U.S. holidays are highlighted. Perfect for home, office, or observatory. Individual Order Prices: $16.95 Cdn/ $13.95 US RASC members receive a $3.00 discount Shipping and handling not included. The Beginner’s Observing Guide Extensively revised and now in its fifth edition, The Beginner’s Observing Guide is for a variety of observers, from the beginner with no experience to the intermediate who would appreciate the clear, helpful guidance here available on an expanded variety of topics: constellations, bright stars, the motions of the heavens, lunar features, the aurora, and the zodiacal light. New sections include: lunar and planetary data through 2010, variable-star observing, telescope information, beginning astrophotography, a non-technical glossary of astronomical terms, and directions for building a properly scaled model of the solar system. Written by astronomy author and educator, Leo Enright; 200 pages, 6 colour star maps, 16 photographs, otabinding. Price: $19.95 plus shipping & handling. Skyways: Astronomy Handbook for Teachers Teaching Astronomy? Skyways Makes it Easy! Written by a Canadian for Canadian teachers and astronomy educators, Skyways is Canadian curriculum-specific; pre-tested by Canadian teachers; hands-on; interactive; geared for upper elementary, middle school, and junior-high grades; fun and easy to use; cost-effective. -
Lick Observatory Records: Photographs UA.036.Ser.07
http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c81z4932 Online items available Lick Observatory Records: Photographs UA.036.Ser.07 Kate Dundon, Alix Norton, Maureen Carey, Christine Turk, Alex Moore University of California, Santa Cruz 2016 1156 High Street Santa Cruz 95064 [email protected] URL: http://guides.library.ucsc.edu/speccoll Lick Observatory Records: UA.036.Ser.07 1 Photographs UA.036.Ser.07 Contributing Institution: University of California, Santa Cruz Title: Lick Observatory Records: Photographs Creator: Lick Observatory Identifier/Call Number: UA.036.Ser.07 Physical Description: 101.62 Linear Feet127 boxes Date (inclusive): circa 1870-2002 Language of Material: English . https://n2t.net/ark:/38305/f19c6wg4 Conditions Governing Access Collection is open for research. Conditions Governing Use Property rights for this collection reside with the University of California. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. The publication or use of any work protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use for research or educational purposes requires written permission from the copyright owner. Responsibility for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user. Preferred Citation Lick Observatory Records: Photographs. UA36 Ser.7. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz. Alternative Format Available Images from this collection are available through UCSC Library Digital Collections. Historical note These photographs were produced or collected by Lick observatory staff and faculty, as well as UCSC Library personnel. Many of the early photographs of the major instruments and Observatory buildings were taken by Henry E. Matthews, who served as secretary to the Lick Trust during the planning and construction of the Observatory. -
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Stanford University Stanford, California
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Stanford University Stanford, California THE CONTROL AND USE OF LIBRATION-POINT SATELLITES by Robert W. Farquhar SUDAAR NO. 350 July 1968 Prepared for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Under Grant NsG 133-61 '3 t ABSTRACT This study is primarily concerned with satellite station-keeping in the vicinity of the unstable collinear libration points, L1 and L2. Station-keeping problems at other libration points, including an "isosce- les-triangle point," are also treated, but to a lesser degree. A detailed analysis of the translation-control problem for a satel- lite in the vicinity of a collinear point is presented. Simple linear feedback control laws are formulated, and stability conditions are deter- mined for both constant and periodic coefficient systems. It was found that stability could be achieved with a single-axis control that used only range and range-rate measurements. The station-keeping cost with this control is given as a function of the measurement noise. If Earth- based measurements are available, this cost is very Pow. Other transla- tion-control analyses of this study include (1) solar-sail control at the Earth-Moon collinear points, (2) a limit-cycle analysis for an on-off :b control system, and (3) a method for stabilizing the position of the mass center of a cable-connected satellite at a collinear point by simply changing the length of the cable with an internal device. b, For certain applications, a satellite is required to follow a small quasi-periodic orbit around a collinear libration point. Analytical estimates for the corrections to this orbit due to the effects of non- linearity, eccentricity, and perturbations are derived. -
Ages of Large Lunar Impact Craters and Implications for Bombardment During the Moon’S Middle Age ⇑ Michelle R
Icarus 225 (2013) 325–341 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Icarus journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/icarus Ages of large lunar impact craters and implications for bombardment during the Moon’s middle age ⇑ Michelle R. Kirchoff , Clark R. Chapman, Simone Marchi, Kristen M. Curtis, Brian Enke, William F. Bottke Southwest Research Institute, 1050 Walnut Street, Suite 300, Boulder, CO 80302, United States article info abstract Article history: Standard lunar chronologies, based on combining lunar sample radiometric ages with impact crater den- Received 20 October 2012 sities of inferred associated units, have lately been questioned about the robustness of their interpreta- Revised 28 February 2013 tions of the temporal dependance of the lunar impact flux. In particular, there has been increasing focus Accepted 10 March 2013 on the ‘‘middle age’’ of lunar bombardment, from the end of the Late Heavy Bombardment (3.8 Ga) until Available online 1 April 2013 comparatively recent times (1 Ga). To gain a better understanding of impact flux in this time period, we determined and analyzed the cratering ages of selected terrains on the Moon. We required distinct ter- Keywords: rains with random locations and areas large enough to achieve good statistics for the small, superposed Moon, Surface crater size–frequency distributions to be compiled. Therefore, we selected 40 lunar craters with diameter Cratering Impact processes 90 km and determined the model ages of their floors by measuring the density of superposed craters using the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Wide Angle Camera mosaic. Absolute model ages were computed using the Model Production Function of Marchi et al. -
China Dream, Space Dream: China's Progress in Space Technologies and Implications for the United States
China Dream, Space Dream 中国梦,航天梦China’s Progress in Space Technologies and Implications for the United States A report prepared for the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission Kevin Pollpeter Eric Anderson Jordan Wilson Fan Yang Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank Dr. Patrick Besha and Dr. Scott Pace for reviewing a previous draft of this report. They would also like to thank Lynne Bush and Bret Silvis for their master editing skills. Of course, any errors or omissions are the fault of authors. Disclaimer: This research report was prepared at the request of the Commission to support its deliberations. Posting of the report to the Commission's website is intended to promote greater public understanding of the issues addressed by the Commission in its ongoing assessment of U.S.-China economic relations and their implications for U.S. security, as mandated by Public Law 106-398 and Public Law 108-7. However, it does not necessarily imply an endorsement by the Commission or any individual Commissioner of the views or conclusions expressed in this commissioned research report. CONTENTS Acronyms ......................................................................................................................................... i Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................... iii Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1 -
Science Concept 3: Key Planetary
Science Concept 6: The Moon is an Accessible Laboratory for Studying the Impact Process on Planetary Scales Science Concept 6: The Moon is an accessible laboratory for studying the impact process on planetary scales Science Goals: a. Characterize the existence and extent of melt sheet differentiation. b. Determine the structure of multi-ring impact basins. c. Quantify the effects of planetary characteristics (composition, density, impact velocities) on crater formation and morphology. d. Measure the extent of lateral and vertical mixing of local and ejecta material. INTRODUCTION Impact cratering is a fundamental geological process which is ubiquitous throughout the Solar System. Impacts have been linked with the formation of bodies (e.g. the Moon; Hartmann and Davis, 1975), terrestrial mass extinctions (e.g. the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary extinction; Alvarez et al., 1980), and even proposed as a transfer mechanism for life between planetary bodies (Chyba et al., 1994). However, the importance of impacts and impact cratering has only been realized within the last 50 or so years. Here we briefly introduce the topic of impact cratering. The main crater types and their features are outlined as well as their formation mechanisms. Scaling laws, which attempt to link impacts at a variety of scales, are also introduced. Finally, we note the lack of extraterrestrial crater samples and how Science Concept 6 addresses this. Crater Types There are three distinct crater types: simple craters, complex craters, and multi-ring basins (Fig. 6.1). The type of crater produced in an impact is dependent upon the size, density, and speed of the impactor, as well as the strength and gravitational field of the target. -
Chapter 5: Lunar Minerals
5 LUNAR MINERALS James Papike, Lawrence Taylor, and Steven Simon The lunar rocks described in the next chapter are resources from lunar materials. For terrestrial unique to the Moon. Their special characteristics— resources, mechanical separation without further especially the complete lack of water, the common processing is rarely adequate to concentrate a presence of metallic iron, and the ratios of certain potential resource to high value (placer gold deposits trace chemical elements—make it easy to distinguish are a well-known exception). However, such them from terrestrial rocks. However, the minerals separation is an essential initial step in concentrating that make up lunar rocks are (with a few notable many economic materials and, as described later exceptions) minerals that are also found on Earth. (Chapter 11), mechanical separation could be Both lunar and terrestrial rocks are made up of important in obtaining lunar resources as well. minerals. A mineral is defined as a solid chemical A mineral may have a specific, virtually unvarying compound that (1) occurs naturally; (2) has a definite composition (e.g., quartz, SiO2), or the composition chemical composition that varies either not at all or may vary in a regular manner between two or more within a specific range; (3) has a definite ordered endmember components. Most lunar and terrestrial arrangement of atoms; and (4) can be mechanically minerals are of the latter type. An example is olivine, a separated from the other minerals in the rock. Glasses mineral whose composition varies between the are solids that may have compositions similar to compounds Mg2SiO4 and Fe2SiO4.