X-Raying the Moon
Explanation:
Above is a picture of the
Moon taken in
X-rays
by the Roentgen Observatory Satellite
ROSAT in 1990. This famous picture shows three distinct regions:
a bright X-ray sky, a bright part of the Moon, and a relatively dark part
of the Moon. The bright X-ray region is exemplary of the mysterious X-ray
background that is seen everywhere on the sky. The bright lunar crescent
shines because it reflects X-rays emitted by the
Sun. The dark lunar face
is surprising because it is not completely dark, and its slight emission is
thought to result from energetic particles from the
solar wind striking the
Moon.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
