SMART-1 Lunar Highlights Bernard H
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Geologic Structure of Shallow Maria
NASA CR. Photo Data Analysis S-221 NASA Contract NAS 9-13196 GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE OF SHALLOW MARIA Rene' A. De Hon, Principal Investigator John A. Waskom, Co-Investigator (NASA-CR-lq7qoo GEOLOGIC STahJCTUnF OF N76-17001 ISBALOW M1BIA-'(Arkansas Uni.v., mHiticelio.) 96 p BC $5.00' CSCL O3B Unclas G3/91, 09970- University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, Arkansas December 1975 Photo Data Analysis S-221 NASA Contract NAS 9-13196 GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE OF SHALLOW MARIA Rene' A. De Hon, Principal Investigator I John A. Waskom, Co-Investigator Un-iversity-of Arkansas-:at-.Monticl o Monticello, Arkansas December 1975 ABSTRACT Isopach maps and structural contour maps of the 0 0 eastern mare basins (30 N to 30 OS; 00 to 100 E) are constructed from measurements of partially buried craters. The data, which are sufficiently scattered to yield gross thickness variations, are restricted to shallow maria with less than 1500-2000 m of mare basalts. The average thickness of b-asalt in the irregular maria is between 200 and 400 m. Multiringed mascon basins are filled to various levels. The Serenitatis and Crisium basins have deeply flooded interiors and extensively flooded shelves. Mare basalts in the Nectaris basin fill only the innermost basin, and mare basalts in the Smythii basin occupy a small portion of the basin floor. Sinus Amoris, Mare Spumans, and Mare Undarum are partially filled troughs concentric to large circular basins. The Tranquillitatis and Fecunditatis are composite depressions containing basalts which flood degraded circular basins and adjacent terrain modified by the formation of nearby cir cular basins. -
TRANSIENT LUNAR PHENOMENA: REGULARITY and REALITY Arlin P
The Astrophysical Journal, 697:1–15, 2009 May 20 doi:10.1088/0004-637X/697/1/1 C 2009. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. TRANSIENT LUNAR PHENOMENA: REGULARITY AND REALITY Arlin P. S. Crotts Department of Astronomy, Columbia University, Columbia Astrophysics Laboratory, 550 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA Received 2007 June 27; accepted 2009 February 20; published 2009 April 30 ABSTRACT Transient lunar phenomena (TLPs) have been reported for centuries, but their nature is largely unsettled, and even their existence as a coherent phenomenon is controversial. Nonetheless, TLP data show regularities in the observations; a key question is whether this structure is imposed by processes tied to the lunar surface, or by terrestrial atmospheric or human observer effects. I interrogate an extensive catalog of TLPs to gauge how human factors determine the distribution of TLP reports. The sample is grouped according to variables which should produce differing results if determining factors involve humans, and not reflecting phenomena tied to the lunar surface. Features dependent on human factors can then be excluded. Regardless of how the sample is split, the results are similar: ∼50% of reports originate from near Aristarchus, ∼16% from Plato, ∼6% from recent, major impacts (Copernicus, Kepler, Tycho, and Aristarchus), plus several at Grimaldi. Mare Crisium produces a robust signal in some cases (however, Crisium is too large for a “feature” as defined). TLP count consistency for these features indicates that ∼80% of these may be real. Some commonly reported sites disappear from the robust averages, including Alphonsus, Ross D, and Gassendi. -
Water on the Moon, III. Volatiles & Activity
Water on The Moon, III. Volatiles & Activity Arlin Crotts (Columbia University) For centuries some scientists have argued that there is activity on the Moon (or water, as recounted in Parts I & II), while others have thought the Moon is simply a dead, inactive world. [1] The question comes in several forms: is there a detectable atmosphere? Does the surface of the Moon change? What causes interior seismic activity? From a more modern viewpoint, we now know that as much carbon monoxide as water was excavated during the LCROSS impact, as detailed in Part I, and a comparable amount of other volatiles were found. At one time the Moon outgassed prodigious amounts of water and hydrogen in volcanic fire fountains, but released similar amounts of volatile sulfur (or SO2), and presumably large amounts of carbon dioxide or monoxide, if theory is to be believed. So water on the Moon is associated with other gases. Astronomers have agreed for centuries that there is no firm evidence for “weather” on the Moon visible from Earth, and little evidence of thick atmosphere. [2] How would one detect the Moon’s atmosphere from Earth? An obvious means is atmospheric refraction. As you watch the Sun set, its image is displaced by Earth’s atmospheric refraction at the horizon from the position it would have if there were no atmosphere, by roughly 0.6 degree (a bit more than the Sun’s angular diameter). On the Moon, any atmosphere would cause an analogous effect for a star passing behind the Moon during an occultation (multiplied by two since the light travels both into and out of the lunar atmosphere). -
Apollo Over the Moon: a View from Orbit (Nasa Sp-362)
chl APOLLO OVER THE MOON: A VIEW FROM ORBIT (NASA SP-362) Chapter 1 - Introduction Harold Masursky, Farouk El-Baz, Frederick J. Doyle, and Leon J. Kosofsky [For a high resolution picture- click here] Objectives [1] Photography of the lunar surface was considered an important goal of the Apollo program by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The important objectives of Apollo photography were (1) to gather data pertaining to the topography and specific landmarks along the approach paths to the early Apollo landing sites; (2) to obtain high-resolution photographs of the landing sites and surrounding areas to plan lunar surface exploration, and to provide a basis for extrapolating the concentrated observations at the landing sites to nearby areas; and (3) to obtain photographs suitable for regional studies of the lunar geologic environment and the processes that act upon it. Through study of the photographs and all other arrays of information gathered by the Apollo and earlier lunar programs, we may develop an understanding of the evolution of the lunar crust. In this introductory chapter we describe how the Apollo photographic systems were selected and used; how the photographic mission plans were formulated and conducted; how part of the great mass of data is being analyzed and published; and, finally, we describe some of the scientific results. Historically most lunar atlases have used photointerpretive techniques to discuss the possible origins of the Moon's crust and its surface features. The ideas presented in this volume also rely on photointerpretation. However, many ideas are substantiated or expanded by information obtained from the huge arrays of supporting data gathered by Earth-based and orbital sensors, from experiments deployed on the lunar surface, and from studies made of the returned samples. -
Master's Thesis
2009:106 MASTER'S THESIS Design a Nano-Satellite for Observation of Transient Lunar Phenomena(TLP) Bao Han Luleå University of Technology Master Thesis, Continuation Courses Space Science and Technology Department of Space Science, Kiruna 2009:106 - ISSN: 1653-0187 - ISRN: LTU-PB-EX--09/106--SE Design a Nano-Satellite for Observation of Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLP) SpaceMaster Thesis I Students: Bao Han Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Hakan Kayal Date of Submission: 24 Sep 2009 II DECLARATION I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by other person or material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the award of other degree or diploma of university or other institute of high learning, except due acknowledgment has been made in the text. Würzburg, the 20th, September, 2009 _______________________ (Bao Han) III ACKNOWLEGMENT I would like to express my gratitude to all those who gave me the possibility to complete this thesis. First I am deeply indebted to my supervisor Prof. Dr. Hakan Kayal for providing me the possibility to do a very interesting and changeling master thesis by contributing to the Nano-Satellite project and his stimulating suggestions and encouragement helped me in all the time of research for and writing of this thesis. This thesis work allowed me to have a good insight in the Nano-satellite project while gaining many satellite system design experience in many fields. I have furthermore to thank the Prof. Klaus Schilling, the chair of the computer science VII department, who encouraged me to go ahead with my thesis. -
Calibration Targets
EUROPE TO THE MOON: HIGHLIGHTS OF SMART-1 MISSION Bernard H. FOING, ESA SCI-S, SMART-1 Project Scientist J.L. Josset , M. Grande, J. Huovelin, U. Keller, A. Nathues, A. Malkki, P. McMannamon, L.Iess, C. Veillet, P.Ehrenfreund & SMART-1 Science & Technology Working Team STWT M. Almeida, D. Frew, D. Koschny, J. Volp, J. Zender, RSSD & STOC G. Racca & SMART-1 Project ESTEC , O. Camino-Ramos & S1 Operations team ESOC, [email protected], http://sci.esa.int/smart-1/, www.esa.int SMART-1 project team Science Technology Working Team & ESOC Flight Control Team EUROPE TO THE MOON: HIGHLIGHTS OF SMART-1 MISSION Bernard H. Foing & SMART-1 Project & Operations team, SMART-1 Science Technology Working Team, SMART-1 Impact Campaign Team http://sci.esa.int/smart-1/, www.esa.int ESA Science programme Mars Express Smart 1 Chandrayaan1 Beagle 2 Cassini- Huygens Solar System Venus Express 05 Solar Orbiter Rosetta 04 2017 BepiColombo 2013 SMART-1 Mission SMART-1 web page (http://sci.esa.int/smart-1/) • ESA SMART Programme: Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology – Spacecraft & payload technology demonstration for future cornerstone missions – Management: faster, smarter, better (& harder) – Early opportunity for science SMART-1 Solar Electric Propulsion to the Moon – Test for Bepi Colombo/Solar Orbiter – Mission approved and payload selected 99 – 19 kg payload (delivered August 02) – 370 kg spacecraft – launched Ariane 5 on 27 Sept 03, Kourou Europe to the Moon Some of the Innovative Technologies on Smart-1 Sun SMART-1 light Reflecte d Sun -
Arxiv:0706.3947V1
Transient Lunar Phenomena: Regularity and Reality Arlin P.S. Crotts Department of Astronomy, Columbia University, Columbia Astrophysics Laboratory, 550 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027 ABSTRACT Transient lunar phenomena (TLPs) have been reported for centuries, but their nature is largely unsettled, and even their existence as a coherent phenomenon is still controversial. Nonetheless, a review of TLP data shows regularities in the observations; a key question is whether this structure is imposed by human observer effects, terrestrial atmospheric effects or processes tied to the lunar surface. I interrogate an extensive catalog of TLPs to determine if human factors play a determining role in setting the distribution of TLP reports. We divide the sample according to variables which should produce varying results if the determining factors involve humans e.g., historical epoch or geographical location of the observer, and not reflecting phenomena tied to the lunar surface. Specifically, we bin the reports into selenographic areas (300 km on a side), then construct a robust average count for such “pixels” in a way discarding discrepant counts. Regardless of how we split the sample, the results are very similar: roughly 50% of the report count originate from the crater Aristarchus and vicinity, 16% from Plato, 6% from recent, major impacts (Copernicus, ∼ ∼ Kepler and Tycho - beyond Aristarchus), plus a few at Grimaldi. Mare Crisium produces a robust signal for three of five averages of up to 7% of the reports (however, Crisium subtends more than one pixel). The consistency in TLP report counts for specific features on this list indicate that 80% of the reports arXiv:0706.3947v1 [astro-ph] 27 Jun 2007 ∼ are consistent with being real (perhaps with the exception of Crisium). -
EPSC-DPS2011-1095, 2011 EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2011 C Author(S) 2011
EPSC Abstracts Vol. 6, EPSC-DPS2011-1095, 2011 EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2011 c Author(s) 2011 Absolute model ages of basalts in Mare Crisium H. Hiesinger (1), C. H. van der Bogert (1), D. Reiss (1), and M. S. Robinson (2) (1) Institut für Planetologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 10, 48149 Münster, Germany, [email protected], (2) Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA. Abstract presumably emplaced in two stages - first, around the We have dated several mare basalt units in Mare NE (Eimmart Basalts) and SE (Agarum Basalts) Crisium. On the basis of our crater size-frequency outer edge of the basin (Group IIB), and then in the distribution measurements (CSFD), we find Imbrian NNW of the basin (Group IIA; Swift Basalts). There and Eratosthenian ages for the investigated basalts. are several small occurrences of Group IIA Swift Basalts in the S, the easternmost of which contains 1. Introduction the Luna 24 landing site [1]. Group III basalts Mare Crisium is one of the most prominent lunar (Shapley Basalts) are the youngest basalts and are basins, located on the eastern nearside. According to exposed in the SSE of the basin. [1, 2], there are three major basalt groups within the While stratigraphic relationships among the Mare basin, i.e., an Fe- and Mg-rich high Ti basalt similar Crisium basalts were investigated in detail [e.g., 1], to Luna 16 samples (Group I), a very low Ti absolute and relative ages remain under discussion. ferrobasalt similar to Luna 24 samples (Group II), For example, the geologic map of [4] indicates that and a low Ti ferrobasalt similar to Apollo 12 samples most of northern Mare Crisium is covered by (Group III) (Fig. -
Guide to Observing the Moon
Your guide to The Moonby Robert Burnham A supplement to 618128 Astronomy magazine 4 days after New Moon south is up to match the view in a the crescent moon telescope, and east lies to the left. f you look into the western sky a few evenings after New Moon, you’ll spot a bright crescent I glowing in the twilight. The Moon is nearly everyone’s first sight with a telescope, and there’s no better time to start watching it than early in the lunar cycle, which begins every month when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. Langrenus Each evening thereafter, as the Moon makes its orbit around Earth, the part of it that’s lit by the Sun grows larger. If you look closely at the crescent Mare Fecunditatis zona I Moon, you can see the unlit part of it glows with a r a ghostly, soft radiance. This is “the old Moon in the L/U. p New Moon’s arms,” and the light comes from sun- /L tlas Messier Messier A a light reflecting off the land, clouds, and oceans of unar Earth. Just as we experience moonlight, the Moon l experiences earthlight. (Earthlight is much brighter, however.) At this point in the lunar cycle, the illuminated Consolidated portion of the Moon is fairly small. Nonetheless, “COMET TAILS” EXTENDING from Messier and Messier A resulted from a two lunar “seas” are visible: Mare Crisium and nearly horizontal impact by a meteorite traveling westward. The big crater Mare Fecunditatis. Both are flat expanses of dark Langrenus (82 miles across) is rich in telescopic features to explore at medium lava whose appearance led early telescopic observ- and high magnification: wall terraces, central peaks, and rays. -
Blue Ghost Lunar Lander
BLUE GHOST LUNAR LANDER Condensed Payload User's Guide CONDENSED FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION Cover image: Artist's rendering of Blue Ghost operating the NASA-sponsored 19D Payloads in Mare Crisium on Firefly’s 2023 mission. Firefly Aerospace Inc Page i Making Space for Everyone Here at Firefly, we dedicate ourselves to providing an unrivaled customer experience, while concur- rently providing economical and convenient access to space for small Payloads. Whether your Payload's destination is Low Earth Orbit or the surface of the Moon, this access is achieved through the de- sign, manufacture, and operation of reliable vehicles, with a \simple/soonest" approach to technology selection, thus increasing accessibility, and lowering the cost barrier to space. Striving to maintain transparency in a rapidly evolving launch and in-space services market, Firefly employs a customer-responsive method to mission management and mission assurance. This means that as a commercial customer, you will receive candid insight into key technical and schedule statuses. As a government customer, you have the option of more extensive insight into the engineering rigor that Firefly not only institutes within our designs, but also with the quality systems imposed on each vehicle as well. As a customer, you will be provided a dedicated Mission Manager, who's number one priority is en- suring excellent customer service and support throughout your mission's campaign. Our team possesses exemplary industry heritage and expertise, having several decades of experience in both government and commercial launch and spacecraft programs. At Firefly, we recognize the importance our vehicles play in satisfying your mission objectives. -
Lunar Nautics: Designing a Mission to Live and Work on the Moon
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lunar Nautics: Designing a Mission to Live and Work on the Moon An Educator’s Guide for Grades 6–8 Educational Product Educator’s Grades 6–8 & Students EG-2008-09-129-MSFC i ii Lunar Nautics Table of Contents About This Guide . 1 Sample Agendas . 4 Master Supply List . 10 Survivor: SELENE “The Lunar Edition” . 22 The Never Ending Quest . 23 Moon Match . 25 Can We Take it With Us? . 27 Lunar Nautics Trivia Challenge . 29 Lunar Nautics Space Systems, Inc. ................................................. 31 Introduction to Lunar Nautics Space Systems, Inc . 32 The Lunar Nautics Proposal Process . 34 Lunar Nautics Proposal, Design and Budget Notes . 35 Destination Determination . 37 Design a Lunar Lander . .38 Science Instruments . 40 Lunar Exploration Science . 41 Design a Lunar Miner/Rover . 47 Lunar Miner 3-Dimensional Model . 49 Design a Lunar Base . 50 Lunar Base 3-Dimensional Model . 52 Mission Patch Design . 53 Lunar Nautics Presentation . 55 Lunar Exploration . 57 The Moon . 58 Lunar Geology . 59 Mining and Manufacturing on the Moon . 63 Investigate the Geography and Geology of the Moon . 70 Strange New Moon . 72 Digital Imagery . 74 Impact Craters . 76 Lunar Core Sample . 79 Edible Rock Abrasion Tool . 81 i Lunar Missions ..................................................................83 Recap: Apollo . 84 Stepping Stone to Mars . 88 Investigate Lunar Missions . 90 The Pioneer Missions . 92 Edible Pioneer 3 Spacecraft . .96 The Clementine Mission . .98 Edible Clementine Spacecraft . .99 Lunar Rover . 100 Edible Lunar Rover . 101 Lunar Prospector . 103 Edible Lunar Prospector Spacecraft . 107 Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter . 109 Robots Versus Humans . 11. 1 The Definition of a Robot . -
Activity in the Lunar Surface: Transient Lunar Phenomena
Activity in the lunar surface: Transient Lunar Phenomena Cruz Roa, Andr´esFelipe ∗ October 1, 2012 ABSTRACT Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLP) observed on the surface of the moon, are of high rarity, low repetition rate and very short observation times, resulting in that there is little information about this topic. This necessitates the importance of studying them in detail. They have been observed as very bright clouds of gases of past geological lunar activity. According its duration, there have been registered in different colors (yellow, orange, red). Its size can vary from a few to hundreds of kilometers. The TLP Usually occur in certain locations as in some craters (Aristarchus, Plato, Kepler, etc.) and at the edges of lunar maria (Sea of Fecundity, Alps hills area, etc.). The exposure time of a TLP can vary from a few seconds to a little more than one hour. In this paper, a literature review of the TLP is made to build a theory from the existing reports and scientific hypotheses, trying to unify and synthesize data and concepts that are scattered by different lunar research lines. The TLP need to be explained from celestial mechanics and planetary astrophysics to explain the possible causes from phenomena such as outgassing moon, moonquakes and the gravitational interaction. Extrapolating these hypothetical physical knowledge, arguments are exposed for Lunar degassing theory showing this as the most consistent. It's build also a the theory of how to observe, describe, explain and predict the TLP. Keywords: transient lunar phenomena, lunar geologic activity, lunar outgassing, moonquakes, gravitational interaction. 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 What is TLP? A TLP is an explosive emanation of waste gases deposited under lunar soil produced by geological lunar activity, possibly originated by a moonquake because of the gravitational pull of the Earth-Moon system.