Posted on 10/08/2009 6:35:15 AM PDT by Reaganesque
NASA's Lunar Prospector first detected some hydrogen signatures in craters on the dark side of the moon in 1999. Ever since, researchers have been keen to confirm the presence of water on the moon. The Lunar CRater Observing and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) is tasked with crashing through the mists of speculation and conjecture and discover the truth. And you can watch all the action as it happens.
LCROSS was launched on June 18th and executed a fly-by of the moon five days later before entering into a wide orbit. On Friday October 9th, the craft will start to make its final approach, not to land but to crash land. The upper stage rocket in front, the Centaur, will separate from LCROSS which will, in turn, slow down a little. Creating a four minute gap between each vessel, the Centaur will crash into the Cabeus crater at the Moon's south pole. The heavy impact will create a great plume of debris.
Following behind, the LCROSS will pass through the debris, collecting and relaying data back to Earth before itself impacting the crater. As well as a visible camera and radiometer, the LCROSS payload also includes two near-infrared spectrometers, a visible light spectrometer, two mid-infrared cameras and two near-infrared cameras.
"As the ejecta rises above the target crater's rim and is exposed to sunlight, any water-ice, hydrocarbons or organics will vaporize and break down into their basic components. These components primarily will be monitored by the visible and infrared spectrometers. The near-infrared and mid-infrared cameras will determine the total amount and distribution of water in the debris plume. The spacecraft's visible camera will track the impact location and the behavior of the debris plume while the visible radiometer will measure the flash created by the Centaur impact," NASA explains in the mission overview.
The good news for all you space fans out there is that NASA will be broadcasting the whole event live on NASA TV. The one and a half hour long show will start at 6:15 am EDT / 3:15 am PDT on Friday October 9th, with the first impact currently scheduled for 7:30 am EDT / 4:30 am PDT.
The broadcast will include live footage from the spacecraft's camera, real-time telemetry based animation, various location clips and (of course, sports fans) live commentary with special guests. For information on how and where to best enjoy the experience, visit NASA's Impact index page.
Ever since, researchers have been keen to confirm the presence of water on the moon.
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Why ???
If its so important to you researchers to know, spend your own money to find out...
Obama’s war on the moon pt 1
Why would NASA crash a Buick LaCrosse into the moon?
Still pretty dark at 7:30 here so I’m going to take a look but not really expecting to see much.
Knowing if there is water on the Moon would mean not having to bring it from Earth when creating a base of operations for further explorations.
Language issues.... "Crash for Crunkers..."
I slipped on my mental hazmat suit and flushed myself over to the DUmp this morning, some people over there are pissed they are bombing the moon, we don’t have a right to do that to it.
I was glad to see other DUmmies making fun of them, saved me from having to start yet another identity there...
The broadcast will include a 15 minute speech by Obama on the need for single-payer Health Care...
PING!
Hello Nana,
What their thinking is that if there is water on the moon it can be used for two purposes.
first if they decide to put a manned base there if there is water to use it would greatly reduce costs of transporting enough to supply the base.
Second if they ever decide to actually go to Mars and they can stop along the way to pick up water it too would greatly reduce the cost of getting it out of our strong gravity.
Lots of money for what? I do not know.
There is no dark side of the moon. Matter of fact, it’s all dark.
*sigh* I used to love Buicks... Now I refuse to buy a GM (Government Motors) car.
geek out....I may have to watch this....
Rain and clouds predicted in Chicago area.
Crud!
From this link...
Why NASA Should Bomb the Moon to Find Water: Analysis
The cost of LCROSS is about $79 million—cheap in the spaceflight world—and its planners delivered it on budget and on time.
Note to NASA: When you hold the inevitable self-congratulatory presser, it would behoove y'all to remember to thank the beleaguered taxpayers who provide you with your living :)
Transporting anything from Earth into outer space is very expensive. If you can get water locally on the moon, a permanent lunar base becomes feasible.
Secondly, the hydrogen molecules can be separated from the oxygen molecule to provide pure hydrogen, a fuel source.
Third, hydrogen and oxygen molecules can be recombined to form hydrogen peroxide H2O2, a rocket fuel. Hydrogen can also be combined with nitrogen to form an even better rocket fuel called hydrazine N2H4
Prime time where? East Coast? West Coast? Japan? Film at 11 for those too lazy to get up and watch it live.
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