by kovil » Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:08 pm
Many thanks Art (neufer) for the great photos !!!
I watched the live NASA, but it was somewhat disappointing for 'action', tho they hit their target and all systems functioned well.
Remember, these images are in the infrared, which shows kinetic energy's translation into the EM spectrum, best.
Visible light spectrum shows the 'presence' of matter best.
Thus NASA's chioce of wavelengths for the LCROSS imaging.
As the booster was in a slow 'tumble' so as to impact at an angle, rather than 'on end' or 'flat', for the biggest 'splash' so to speak, the 3 pixel infrared register of energy signature indicates a 'good' angular impact pattern ! Bravo ! This mission was a resounding success on several levels. Hardware, software, cost, and good luck -thru good preparation !
Personally, I expect a low water presence, which will be disappointing for habitation requirements. As comets are exactly the same composition as asteroids (comets are NOT dirty ice balls) they contribute no water to the Moon when they are accumulated by the Moon. Solar wind particulate is likely the culpret for the 'hydrogen presence' detected by previous satellite imagery, and is most likely an extremely thin and tenuous veil upon the lunar surface only.
It will be interesting to see what LCROSS detected in the ejecta thrown up from the booster's impact !
Manganese, titanium, hydroxls, hydrocarbons, silicates ? We eagerly await the results. Good work guys !!!
Many thanks Art (neufer) for the great photos !!!
I watched the live NASA, but it was somewhat disappointing for 'action', tho they hit their target and all systems functioned well.
Remember, these images are in the infrared, which shows kinetic energy's translation into the EM spectrum, best.
Visible light spectrum shows the 'presence' of matter best.
Thus NASA's chioce of wavelengths for the LCROSS imaging.
As the booster was in a slow 'tumble' so as to impact at an angle, rather than 'on end' or 'flat', for the biggest 'splash' so to speak, the 3 pixel infrared register of energy signature indicates a 'good' angular impact pattern ! Bravo ! This mission was a resounding success on several levels. Hardware, software, cost, and good luck -thru good preparation !
Personally, I expect a low water presence, which will be disappointing for habitation requirements. As comets are exactly the same composition as asteroids (comets are NOT dirty ice balls) they contribute no water to the Moon when they are accumulated by the Moon. Solar wind particulate is likely the culpret for the 'hydrogen presence' detected by previous satellite imagery, and is most likely an extremely thin and tenuous veil upon the lunar surface only.
It will be interesting to see what LCROSS detected in the ejecta thrown up from the booster's impact !
Manganese, titanium, hydroxls, hydrocarbons, silicates ? We eagerly await the results. Good work guys !!!