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Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Rotating Moon from LRO
NASA ^ | September 16, 2013 | (see photo credit)

Posted on 09/16/2013 6:05:02 PM PDT by SunkenCiv

Explanation: No one, presently, sees the Moon rotate like this. That's because the Earth's moon is tidally locked to the Earth, showing us only one side. Given modern digital technology, however, combined with many detailed images returned by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), a high resolution virtual Moon rotation movie has now been composed. The above time-lapse video starts with the standard Earth view of the Moon. Quickly, though, Mare Orientale, a large crater with a dark center that is difficult to see from the Earth, rotates into view just below the equator. From an entire lunar month condensed into 24 seconds, the video clearly shows that the Earth side of the Moon contains an abundance of dark lunar maria, while the lunar far side is dominated by bright lunar highlands. Two new missions are scheduled to begin exploring the Moon within the year, the first of which is NASA's Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE). LADEE, which launched just over a week ago, is scheduled to begin orbiting the Moon in October and will explore the thin and unusual atmosphere of the Moon. In a few months, the Chinese Chang'e 3 is scheduled to launch, a mission that includes a soft lander that will dispatch a robotic rover.

September 16, 2013

(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; astronomy; ladee; mareorientale; moon; science; themoon
[Credit: LRO, Arizona State U., NASA]

1 posted on 09/16/2013 6:05:02 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
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To: brytlea; cripplecreek; decimon; bigheadfred; KoRn; Grammy; married21; steelyourfaith; Mmogamer; ...
YouTube page

2 posted on 09/16/2013 6:06:28 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (It's no coincidence that some "conservatives" echo the hard left.)
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Talk about a good sport, the great Buzz Aldrin (from season 6):

The Big Bang Theory — Buzz Aldrin Guest Stars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Y4AaMAAP4


3 posted on 09/16/2013 6:08:18 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (It's no coincidence that some "conservatives" echo the hard left.)
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To: SunkenCiv
I like my terraformed moon better.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
4 posted on 09/16/2013 6:08:54 PM PDT by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: SunkenCiv
Did they use a flash on the dark side of the moon........ :)
5 posted on 09/16/2013 6:11:15 PM PDT by The Cajun (Sarah Palin, Mark Levin, Ted Cruz......Nuff said.)
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To: The Cajun

Pink Floyd was unavailable for comment :-)

Regards

alfa6 :>}


6 posted on 09/16/2013 6:13:48 PM PDT by alfa6
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To: alfa6
One of my favorite Floyd albums.
7 posted on 09/16/2013 6:17:28 PM PDT by The Cajun (Sarah Palin, Mark Levin, Ted Cruz......Nuff said.)
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To: SunkenCiv

I see water on the moon!


8 posted on 09/16/2013 7:11:15 PM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: cripplecreek
Nice!

Did you make this?

9 posted on 09/16/2013 7:15:19 PM PDT by Aevery_Freeman (Tried to tell 'em Affirmative Action was a bad idea...Now look what happened!)
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To: Aevery_Freeman

Yeah I like making space and planet stuff.


10 posted on 09/16/2013 7:20:50 PM PDT by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: cripplecreek

You know, that’s a very insightful photo.


11 posted on 09/16/2013 8:31:26 PM PDT by Zuben Elgenubi
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To: SunkenCiv

Cool! Has a faux 3D look.


12 posted on 09/16/2013 8:33:24 PM PDT by Islander7 (There is no septic system so vile, so filthy, the left won't drink from to further their agenda)
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To: The Cajun

The “dark” side of the moom is quite bright when facing the sun. At such times, the side we see is dark...


13 posted on 09/17/2013 1:20:17 AM PDT by ExGeeEye (It's been over 90 days; time to start on 2014. Carpe GOP!)
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