The First Lunar Observatory
Explanation:
The first, and so far only,
lunar
astronomical observatory was deployed by the
Apollo 16 crew in 1972.
The
Far
Ultraviolet Camera / Spectrograph used a 3-inch diameter
Schmidt telescope to photograph the
Earth,
nebulae,
star clusters,
and the
Large Magellanic Cloud.
The tripod mounted astronomical equipment
is
seen above, placed in the shadow of the
Lunar Module (right) so it would not overheat.
Also in the shadow is astronaut John Young with
the lunar rover in the background.
The Far Ultraviolet Camera
took pictures in ultraviolet light
which would normally be blocked by the Earth's atmosphere.
It was created by George Carruthers (
NRL),
had a field of view of twenty degrees, and could detect stars having
visual
magnitude brighter than eleven.
One hundred seventy-eight images were recorded in a film
cartridge which the astronauts returned to Earth.
The observatory still stands
on
the Moon today.
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.
