New Lunar Images

[Eric Mc]

Lunar Reconaissance Orbiter has sent back some new images of the lunar surface including this shot of the Apollo 14 landing site. Clearly visible are the tracks left by the hand cart pulled by Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell. Also visible is the descent stage of the Lunar Modukle.

These tracks are now exactly 40 years old.

[The Nur]

Looks like a crap picture of a sponge cake

[Simpo Two]

Impressive resolution.

[Eric Mc]

I think it's impressive too. On close examination, you can see at least three of the Lunar Module's footpads and the different foil patterns of the Descent Satge.

It's amazing to think that the wheel tracks are still pretty clear after 40 years.

[jmorgan]

Would have been more amazing if they were obscured in some way. I expect them to be there for quite a while and some "rubbing out" from impacts would be interesting.

They should have written something rude in the regolith.......

[Caruso]

A great image Eric.

Which of the Apollo sites have they got pictures of from LRO? I've seen ones of 11,14,16 and 17.

Edited by Caruso on Saturday 12th February 19:55

[Eric Mc]

The LRO mission only passes over Apollo sites from time to time. It took some pictures about two years ago but the [picture I put up dates from only a few weeks ago.

[strudel]

Of course they're clear images, NASA knocked them up yesterday

[Eric Mc]

strudel said:

Of course they're clear images, NASA knocked them up yesterday

Nothing like being original with the jokes.

I wonder will it ever again be possible to chat about the Apollo programme without people trying to be smart asses.

[Zad]

Probably not. As time passes, the perception of the science, engineering, management and political effort that was needed to land on the moon in 1969 can only grow. I suspect that it won't be long before we have a new generation of kids that refuse to believe that we flew across the Atlantic at twice the speed of sound in luxury. Come to think of it, 90% of the US populus which lives away from the coasts probably believes that now.

[Simpo Two]

Maybe the 'gods' that Eric von Daniken made so much reference to were actually H. sapiens Esq in a previous bout of civilisation, of which all memory is now lost.

[FaineantFreddy]

I wonder how soon it will be before the general population say "What's Apollo 14?"?

[Eric Mc]

Quite a bit of water.

[jmorgan]

LRO have quite a selection and I am drawn to the boulder tracks and voids, rilles etc but obviously the Apollo stuff. I think it would be good to see something disturbed. There was one impact caught recently (few years ago?).

[jmorgan]

Hole in the moon.
linky


Boulder trails
linky


And it finds missing hardware.
click

[Eric Mc]

Nice story about the Lunakhod engineer.

[jmorgan]

Nice story yes.

Been digging.
Click

edit
also worth a peep
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/

[Caruso]

jmorgan said:

Hole in the moon.
linky

Wow, that would be a great site to explore!

The circular hole makes me think that a meteorite impact punched a hole through to a lava tube below. The idea of caves on the moon is really intriguing, real "Men in the Moon" stuff.

[Eric Mc]

I reckon it's a collapse feature rather than an impact feature.

However, it does show that there is lots of interesting and new geology to be done on the moon.

[mybrainhurts]

Typical tourists...

Leave rubbish bloody everywhere...