Lunar Close Up
Explanation:
Late last month, NASA's
Lunar Prospector
spacecraft moved in for
a closer look at the Moon.
Now entering an extended mission phase, controllers have reduced
the altitude of this polar lunar orbiter from 100 kilometers
to about 30 kilometers (
18 miles).
Having mapped global properties and recorded evidence for
water-ice at the lunar poles,
the lower orbit allows Prospector's instruments
to gather valuable confirming data at higher resolutions.
The new orbit is not without some risk, though, and
maneuvers are required every 28 days to maintain it.
Should the maneuvers fail to be performed, the spacecraft would
impact
the surface only two days later.
This lunar close-up
was recorded by the European Southern Observatory's
new WFI camera.
It shows dramatic shadows and contrasting terrain near
the prominent Gassendi crater at the northern edge
of the
Moon's Mare Humorum.
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.
