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NASA Selects LCROSS Impact Site
October 5, 2009:
This simulation provided by Mission Principal Investigator Tony
Colaprete shows the anticipated view from the LCROSS Shepherding
Spacecraft’s NIR camera looking at the expanding plume
from the Centaur impact as the Shepherding Spacecraft approaches
Cabeus crater. .ppt for download
New Crater NASA's Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite
(LCROSS) mission team, based on new analysis of available lunar
data, has shifted the target crater from Cabeus A to Cabeus (proper).
See more information at: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/features/2009/LCROSS_new_crater.html
Click image for closer view.
September 10:
Page to provide the casual
backyard observer useful information for observing the LCROSS
impact event
On Monday, June 29, 05:23 UT
LCROSS flyby captured by Paul Mortfield, Backyard Astronomer
Sierra Remote Observatories. See
animation of LCROSS in flight.
26 June 2009:
From Dan Andrews:
The latest shots that show the
LCROSS mission continuing on its journey.
June 23:
LCROSS executed a swingby of the Moon.
See
Recap Video and Additional Images!
There are a variety of ground-based and orbital observatories
that can observe the dust and water plumes caused by the LCROSS
impacts. The LCROSS team encourages observations of the impacts
to further our understanding of impact physics, lunar resources
(water), and lunar geology and origins (polar soil and regolith),
and thereby support scientific and exploration objectives. The
LCROSS Project is committed to working with the observational
scientists to provide mission information that is critical to
the planning and proposal of observations. In this way the LCROSS
Project aims to develop a coordinated observation campaign utilizing
ground-based and space-based observational assets.
With the impacts of the Centaur and Shepherding Spacecraft occurring
within a permanently-shadowed crater near one of the lunar poles,
the impacts themselves may be obscured by the crater rim as seen
from Earth and Earth orbit. However, ground-based and orbital
observatories will observe the dust and water vapor plume caused
by the two impacts into the lunar surface. The impact ejecta cloud
should be in view of Earth assets just several seconds after impact
and will peak in brightness around 30-100 seconds after impact.
You may download the Astronomer
Justification document. This text describes information relevant
to the LCROSS mission. Astronomers may use this sample text in
support of writing observing proposals to observe the LCROSS impacts
and thereby participate in the LCROSS mission. Specific sections
of this document include: Introduction, The LCROSS Mission, Mission
Relevance and Impact to State of Knowledge, LCROSS Science Goals,
LCROSS Shepherding Spacecraft (S/S-C) Measurement Goals, LCROSS
Shepherding Spacecraft Payload, Impact Characterization, Lunar
Polar Hydrogen - What we Know and Don't Know, The History of Lunar
Volatiles: Sources and Sinks, Additional Sample Text: Experimental
Design, Description of Experiment.
For additional information regarding the LCROSS
Observation Campaign, please contact Jennifer Heldmann, Observation
Campaign Coordinator (Jennifer.Heldmann@nasa.gov).
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Amateur Observations
Mission scientists estimate that the Centaur impact plume may
be visible through amateur-class telescopes with apertures as
small as 10 to 12 inches. The LCROSS mission
will actively solicit images of the impact from the public. These
images will provide a valuable addition to the archive of data
chronicling the impact and its aftermath. Prior to launch, amateurs are working with the science team in imaging potential impact target areas in order to refine telescope pointing strategies for the impact. To participate in the LCROSS Amateur Observation Campaign, visit the LCROSS_Observation group. NASA has established the LCROSS Citizen Science online image management system to facilitate amateur submissions of the the images they obtain.
How to Find LCROSS
Many satellite prediction programs generate finder charts and ephemerides based on inputting satellite orbital elements in the Two-Line Element (TLE) format. While TLE-based predictions work very well for low-Earth orbiting satellites, they are not nearly as well-suited for the large lunar gravity assist lunar return orbits (LGALRO) being made by LCROSS. However, amateur astronomers who wish to find LCROSS in the sky do have a very useful tool available to them.
JPL's HORIZONS system can be used to generate ephemerides for a wide range of solar-system bodies, including LCROSS. A web-based interface for HORIZONS simplifies using the system. In the opening menu, make sure that "OBSERVER" is specified under Ephemeris Type. Enter "LCROSS" for the Target Body. Make sure to specify your observing location. The result is a table of times and positions that amateurs are successfully using to find, track, and image LCROSS in flight.
NEW page to provide
the casual backyard observer useful information for observing
the LCROSS impact event |
