September 19, 2009 #074 - Luna

It is an exciting time for lunar science. Both the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, in operation, and the JAXA - Kaguya (Selene) mission, which has now been completed, have returned some fantastic views of the lunar surface. Take some time to watch the movies, it feels like you are flying just above the lunar surface. Then look at the Apollo landing hardware, observed from orbit for the first time almost 40 years after the landings. Just out are some one meter resolution looks at the lunar south pole. Not in my wildest dreams did I ever hope to see such places with the clarity that is now available.


The JAXA movies can be found on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=DA9C6AA8E11F7E56

the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter pictures can be seen:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/main/index.html


Clear Sky - Rich