From larry.kellogg at gmail.com Mon Feb 4 14:32:05 2008 From: larry.kellogg at gmail.com (Larry Kellogg) Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2008 11:32:05 -0800 Subject: [lunar-update] Journey to Saturn From Your Computer Message-ID: <9bb827dc0802041132m13007ca0l4c8f6d996acaed38@mail.gmail.com> Journey to Saturn From Your Computer Jim sent me a copy of JPL's Internet Advisory: 2008-018 for Cassini. The Super Bowl is over and you may have watched the ads all over again at http://www.myspace.com/superbowlads and maybe you would like watch some information about Cassini. You can download an Internet Plug-In to view some media clips here. http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/CASSIE/ Happy Viewing. Shuttle should launch this week as well. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html Wish them a good flight. - LRK - Thanks for looking up with me. Larry Kellogg Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/ BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/ RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update ============================================================== INTERNET ADVISORY: 2008-018 Jan. 31, 2008 Journey to Saturn From Your Computer Want a peek at Saturn as seen from space? A new interactive 3-D viewer that uses a game engine and allows users to travel to Saturn and see it the way the Cassini spacecraft sees it is now online at http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/CASSIE and http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/multimedia/cassie.html . The Cassini at Saturn Interactive Explorer makes the real Cassini mission data fully available in three colorful, easy-to-use expeditions. The "Where is Cassini Now?" expedition shows exactly where the Cassini spacecraft is and what it is doing each moment over the current 24-hour period. Viewers can see the spacecraft move in its orbit and maneuver according to instructions from mission scientists and navigators at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. With the "Mission Overview" expedition, look back in time as Cassini orbited the Saturn system over the past 3.5 years, and fast-forward into the future to see where it is headed. Users can control two virtual cameras to see Cassini fly by Saturn and its moons. The "Saturn's Moons" expedition gives an in-depth peek at seven of Saturn's moons, providing useful facts and interactive surface views of each one. More information on the Cassini mission is available at http://www.nasa.gov/cassini and http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov . The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperative project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency. JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the Cassini-Huygens mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. The Cassini orbiter was designed, developed and assembled at JPL. -end- Snip ============================================================== WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK ============================================================== This is the lunar-update at news.altair.com https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update This list is a moderated list. The moderator is Larry Kellogg (larry.kellogg AT gmail.com) Please send suggestions for postings directly to Larry. ============================================================== From larry.kellogg at gmail.com Mon Feb 4 19:51:28 2008 From: larry.kellogg at gmail.com (Larry Kellogg) Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2008 16:51:28 -0800 Subject: [lunar-update] NASA UNVEILS $17.6 BILLION BUDGET Message-ID: <9bb827dc0802041651l2f36797ckb14b685235c1a68@mail.gmail.com> NASA UNVEILS $17.6 BILLION BUDGET http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/feb/HQ_08034_FY2009_budget.html The Wall Street Journal today says that the President of the USA has proposed a budget for next year that will top $3 trillion. Of course, this president won't be here next year and it will be up to congress to decide what kind of budget to accept. This year the budget was given to Congress electronically and not by a very large bundle of paper. http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/ http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/ http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/budget.html http://www.fcw.com/online/news/151256-1.html OMB goes paperless for 2009 budget request http://www.fcw.com/online/news/151532-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS IT budget request for 2009 tops $70 billion NASA's part of that budget proposal is $17.6 billion. http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/pdf/budget/nasa.pdf In the USA there are a lot of political primaries happening on Tuesday and one would hope that folks have either voted by absentee ballet or will vote in the primary should their state be holding one. We certainly are hearing a lot about presidential candidates and it would be a shame to just let things happen by luck. Here is another link to Shana Dale's report at SpeceRef.com. Also see my copy below from NASA News. - LRK - -- Highlights of NASA's FY 2009 Budget Request by NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.nl.html?pid=26915 Thanks for looking up with me. Larry Kellogg Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/ BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/ RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update ============================================================== http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/feb/HQ_08034_FY2009_budget.html Feb. 4, 2008 David Mould/Michael Cabbage Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1898/1600 david.r.mould at nasa.gov,mcabbage at nasa.gov RELEASE: 08-034 NASA UNVEILS $17.6 BILLION BUDGET WASHINGTON - NASA announced a $17.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2009 to continue exploring the solar system, building the International Space Station, studying Earth from space and conducting aeronautics research. NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale said the increase for NASA's 2009 budget demonstrates President Bush's commitment to the agency's missions. With the increase, NASA still accounts for less than 1 percent of the federal budget. The NASA budget includes $5.78 billion for the space shuttle and space station programs, $4.44 billion for science, $3.5 billion for development of new manned spacecraft systems and $447 million for aeronautics research. Dale noted steady progress with NASA's missions, with three successful space shuttle launches last year and up to six planned for this year, including a flight to service the Hubble Space Telescope. The agency also is making progress in developing the Orion spacecraft and Ares launch vehicles to replace the aging shuttle fleet and prepare for journeys to the moon and destinations beyond. NASA has 55 science missions currently in space, about half involving international partnerships, with 15 additional missions scheduled for launch by the end of 2009. "In Earth science, NASA's investments in measuring the forces and effects of climate change are allowing policymakers and the public to better understand its implications to our home planet," Dale said. A recently completed decadal survey for Earth science includes views of the scientific community that will help the agency set priorities for new missions to add to humanity's knowledge of Earth and its climate and ecosystems. NASA will dedicate $910 million during the next five years to develop new missions to add to our Earth-observing fleet of spacecraft. The budget also includes funding for lunar science to further scientific understanding of the moon and for planetary science and astrophysics to continue exploring worlds beyond Earth and to study dark energy and other mysteries of the cosmos. In aeronautics, NASA is helping address fundamental research needs facing the Next Generation Air Transportation System, aimed at making U.S. air travel safer, more efficient and environmentally friendly. As the International Space Station nears completion, the NASA budget provides funding to help spur development of commercial space transportation services to send cargo and possibly crews to the station after the shuttles retire in 2010. Without commercial providers, the United States will depend on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft to carry astronauts between Earth and the space station. "The development of space simply cannot be 'all government all the time,' " Dale said. "NASA's budget for FY 2009 provides $173 million for entrepreneurs - from big companies or small ones - to develop commercial transport capabilities to support the International Space Station. NASA is designating $500 million toward the development of this commercial space capability. "With over $2.6 billion in NASA funds available over the next five years to purchase cargo and crew services to support ISS operations, we would much rather be using this money to purchase cargo and crew services from American commercial companies than foreign entities," she added. -end- Snip ============================================================== WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK ============================================================== This is the lunar-update at news.altair.com https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update This list is a moderated list. The moderator is Larry Kellogg (larry.kellogg AT gmail.com) Please send suggestions for postings directly to Larry. ============================================================== From larry.kellogg at gmail.com Thu Feb 7 12:42:39 2008 From: larry.kellogg at gmail.com (Larry Kellogg) Date: Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:42:39 -0800 Subject: [lunar-update] Are You Watching? - STS 122 launch preparations Message-ID: <47AB430F.1060602@gmail.com> Are You Watching? - STS 122 launch preparations http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/ STS 122 about to launch. Thanks for looking up with me. Larry Kellogg Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/ BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/ RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update ============================================================== http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/ http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html Shuttle Mission TV Schedule NASA TELEVISION SCHEDULE STS-122 / 1E Columbus European Laboratory Module 02/01/08 STS-122 FUELING COVERAGE BEGINS KSC 4:15 AM 5:15 AM 10:15 ISS PROGRESS 28 DOCKING COVERAGE JSC 8:15 AM 9:15 AM 14:15 STS-122 LAUNCH COVERAGE BEGINS KSC 8:45 AM 9:45 AM 14:45 LAUNCH KSC 00/ 00:00 01:45 PM 02:45 PM 19:45 MECO 00/ 00:08 01:53 PM 02:53 PM 19:53 Snip ============================================================== WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK ============================================================== This is the lunar-update at news.altair.com https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update This list is a moderated list. The moderator is Larry Kellogg (larry.kellogg AT gmail.com) Please send suggestions for postings directly to Larry. ============================================================== From larry.kellogg at gmail.com Fri Feb 15 12:54:13 2008 From: larry.kellogg at gmail.com (Larry Kellogg) Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:54:13 -0800 Subject: [lunar-update] Inventing the Future - Now this is a cool image - NASA Image of the Day Gallery Message-ID: <47B5D1C5.9050203@gmail.com> Inventing the Future - Now this is a cool image - NASA Image of the Day Gallery http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/iotd.html http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1020.html Jeroen Lapre' sent the note below and I pass to you for viewing. It is from NASA's Image of the Day Gallery. There are a lot of images to see there and even more viewing if you backup to the multimedia link. http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/ Jeroen is working on a short film that takes place on the Moon. http://www.distant-galaxy.com/maelstrom2/MaelstromII.html It is based on one of Sir Arthur C. Clarke's short stories, Maelstrom II. Sir Arthur turned 90 on 16th December, 2007, and lives in Sri Lanka. His birthday reflections can be seen on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qLdeEjdbWE Thanks for looking up with me. Larry Kellogg Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/ BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/ RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update ============================================================== Now this is a cool image: http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/212249main_image_1020_946-710.jpg http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1020.html Inventing the Future In the darkness of space, European Space Agency astronaut Hans Schlegel participates in the mission's second spacewalk as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station. During the six-hour, 45-minute spacewalk, Schlegel and NASA astronaut Rex Walheim (out of frame) worked to replace a nitrogen tank used to pressurize the station's ammonia cooling system. /Image Credit: NASA/ =) cheers -jeroen Snip ============================================================== Image of the Day Archives http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/iotd_archive.html Snip ============================================================== WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK ============================================================== This is the lunar-update at news.altair.com https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update This list is a moderated list. The moderator is Larry Kellogg (larry.kellogg AT gmail.com) Please send suggestions for postings directly to Larry. ============================================================== From larry.kellogg at gmail.com Tue Feb 19 12:45:47 2008 From: larry.kellogg at gmail.com (Larry Kellogg) Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:45:47 -0800 Subject: [lunar-update] Total Eclipse of The Moon - February 20, 2008 Message-ID: <47BB15CB.20205@gmail.com> Total Eclipse of The Moon - February 20, 2008 http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/lunar.html ------------------------------------------------------- http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2008Feb21/TLE2008Feb21.html Introduction A total eclipse of the Moon occurs during the night of Wednesday, February 20/21, 2008. The entire event is visible from South America and most of North America (on Feb. 20) as well as Western Europe, Africa, and western Asia (on Feb. 21). During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon's disk can take on a dramatically colorful appearance from bright orange to blood red to dark brown and (rarely) very dark gray. An eclipse of the Moon can only take place at Full Moon, and only if the Moon passes through some portion of Earth's shadow. The shadow is actually composed of two cone-shaped parts, one nested inside the other. The outer shadow or /penumbra/ is a zone where Earth blocks some (but not all) of the Sun's rays. In contrast, the inner shadow or /umbra/ is a region where Earth blocks all direct sunlight from reaching the Moon. If only part of the Moon passes through the umbra, a partial eclipse is seen. However, if the entire Moon passes through the umbral shadow, then a total eclipse of the Moon occurs. For more information on how, what, why, where and when of lunar eclipses, see the special web page lunar eclipses for beginners . Snip ------------------------------------------------------- More here. - LRK - ------------------------------------------------------- http://www.hermit.org/Eclipse/2008-02-21/ Total Lunar Eclipse: February 21 2008 The total lunar eclipse of February 21 2008 will be visible over the Americas, Europe, Africa, and western Asia. The penumbral eclipse -- the least exciting, and hardest to see part -- will begin at 00:34:59 UT and end at 06:17:16 UT. It will be visible from western Asia, Europe and Africa when it begins around Moonset, the Americas, and the Pacific Ocean it ends at around Moonrise. The partial eclipse will begin at 01:42:59 UT and end just under 3? hours later at 05:09:07 UT, and will be visible from a slightly smaller area. The total eclipse lasts for over ? an hour; it begins at 03:00:34 UT and ends at 03:51:32 UT, with the moment of greatest eclipse at 03:26:05 UT. It is visible over western Asia, most of the Middle East, Europe, Africa, the Americas (barring extreme southwestern Alaska), and the eastern Pacific Ocean. Hawaii just misses out on the total eclipse, and will see the Moon rise about half eclipsed. The total eclipse should be a spectacular sight, even though quite short-lived; although the Moon will be just within the Earth's umbral shadow (the umbral magnitude is 1.111), it should be visibly coloured by the Earth's atmosphere. Don't miss it! More information on this eclipse may be found at Fred Espenak's site . The following map shows the areas where the partial eclipse will be visible: Snip ------------------------------------------------------- May the clouds part. - LRK - Thanks for looking up with me. Larry Kellogg Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/ BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/ RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update ============================================================== And Google says - LRK - ------------------------------------------------------- Lunar eclipse will be `a cosmic ballet' MiamiHerald.com - Miami,FL,USA If the weather cooperates, you'll enjoy one of nature's grandest spectacles -- a total eclipse of the *moon*, your last opportunity until 2010. *...* See all stories on this topic Total eclipse of *moon* Wednesday evening Prince George Citizen - Prince George,British Columbia,Canada A rare event for skygazers, the total eclipse of the *moon*, takes place Wednesday evening. The eclipse will start around 5:43 pm as the *moon* enters the *...* See all stories on this topic Get ready for the eclipse that saved Columbus AFP - PARIS (AFP) ? The *Moon* will turn an eerie shade of red for people in the western hemisphere late Wednesday and early Thursday, recreating the eclipse that *...* See all stories on this topic ? *Moon* takes on a new hue The Saginaw News - MLive.com - Saginaw,MI,USA The full *moon* will cast an unusual glow as it slips into total lunar eclipse -- and Michigan is situated for prime observation of the event, *...* See all stories on this topic Brace yourself for the total eclipse of *moon* San Mateo County Times - San Mateo,CA,USA By Betsy Mason, Staff writer A thin waxing crescent *Moon* is seen just after Sunset, in Tyler, Texas on Friday, February 8, 2008, 1 day after the *Moon* passed *...* See all stories on this topic *Moon* Turns Vivid Red On Wednesday Night eFluxMedia - USA By Dee Chisamera All we need for Wednesday night is a clear sky and the *Moon* will put up a spectacular show for us. Sure, much colder than the one in August *...* See all stories on this topic Snip ============================================================== WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK ============================================================== This is the lunar-update at news.altair.com https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update This list is a moderated list. The moderator is Larry Kellogg (larry.kellogg AT gmail.com) Please send suggestions for postings directly to Larry. ============================================================== From larry.kellogg at gmail.com Wed Feb 20 15:36:18 2008 From: larry.kellogg at gmail.com (Larry Kellogg) Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:36:18 -0800 Subject: [lunar-update] NASA Science News for February 20, 2008 - who is orbiting the moon? Message-ID: <47BC8F42.6020606@gmail.com> ------------------------------------------------------------------------- NASA Science News for February 20, 2008 Do you know who's orbiting the moon? The answer might surprise you. Find out in today's story from Science at NASA. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/20feb_orbitingthemoon.htm?list965414 Important reminder: Don't forget to watch tonight's lunar eclipse. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/13feb_lunareclipse.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for looking up with me. Larry Kellogg Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/ BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/ RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update ============================================================== ** The Chang?e-1 --ProjectChina?s Lunar Exploration Program(II)** http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n615709/n772514/n772543/93747.html Snip ============================================================== Kaguya (SELENE) -- mission home page; http://wms.selene.jaxa.jp/index_e.html Snip ============================================================== WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK ============================================================== This is the lunar-update at news.altair.com https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update This list is a moderated list. The moderator is Larry Kellogg (larry.kellogg AT gmail.com) Please send suggestions for postings directly to Larry. ============================================================== From larry.kellogg at gmail.com Sat Feb 23 21:18:57 2008 From: larry.kellogg at gmail.com (Larry Kellogg) Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:18:57 -0800 Subject: [lunar-update] NASA TO RELEASE ENHANCED RADAR IMAGERY OF LUNAR SOUTH POLE Message-ID: <9bb827dc0802231818t243a0474jdaea1e8ca816045c@mail.gmail.com> NASA TO RELEASE ENHANCED RADAR IMAGERY OF LUNAR SOUTH POLE http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/feb/HQ_M08039_MA-Goldstone_Radar.html Come Feb 27 at noon MST the link below should come live and have new pictures of the South Pole as made by the folks at JPL. -------------------------------------- Researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., generated the imagery using data collected with the facility's Goldstone Solar System Radar. The news media briefing is scheduled for noon MST in Room 506 of the Colorado Convention Center. snip -------------------------------------- I didn't think we could see all of the Lunar South Pole from Earth. Will be interesting to see what they got and how they compare with what the Japanese are taking with their satellites that are now orbiting the Moon. - LRK - http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2007/11/20071107_kaguya_e.html KAGUYA (SELENE) World's First Image Taking of the Moon by HDTV November 7, 2007 (JST) YouTube - JAXA/KAGUYA Earth-Rise and Earth-Set image ... The Earthset image Tele Shot taken from near the South Pole ... Watch video - 9 min - www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHuRRDshhg YouTube - World's First HDTV Images of the Moon (JAXA ... Japan's Kaguya probe, now in lunar orbit, recently beamed ... Watch video - 2 min 30 sec - www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRN85gCN4fQ http://www.selene.jaxa.jp/en/communication/com_information_e.htm Jan. 21, 2008: 2nd SELENE Working Team meeting was held http://collectspace.com/ubb/Forum33/HTML/000444.html Kaguya Spacecraft Rockets Towards the Moon New Kaguya images - The Planetary Society Blog | The Planetary Society The image here was taken on the lunar farside of a region just 30 kilometers from ... of a region 30 kilometers from the south pole. Credit: JAXA / SELENE ... www.planetary.org/blog/article/00001245/ - 27k - And lest we forget the Lunar North Pole, some mosaics from the SMART-1 mission. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.lunarip.com/content/esa-smart-1-program-lunar-north-pole-mosaic ESA Smart-1 program provides new maps of the lunar north pole. Wed, 12/05/2007 - 12:05 ? kevin The ESA Smart-1 mission has released a set of mosaic maps of the luna northern pole detailing a number of sites and their illumination as possible sites for further exporation and also as possible future sites of long term sites. Some sites on the lunar north pole have access to Solar power throughout the lunar year thus making them very attractive as scientific base sites. In addition these sites have access to craters that are continuously darkened and thus hold the possibility that they may hold ice deposits which would greatly improve the viability of future lunar bases. The presented map covers an area of the north pole of 600km x 800km and includes such sites are Peary crater which is an impact crater closest the north pole, Hermite crater and Plaskett Crater. snip ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also the Chinese mission with Chang'e-1. Let me know what the Chinese have to say. Looks like I need to learn some more languages. My 1500 Chinese flash cards may not be enough. :-) http://zinzin.us/view-type-Yt-p-1-q-Lunar-code-DqAarZ-Mxnk-title-Change-1-lunar-probe.html Title: Chang'e-1 lunar probe Description: China's 1st lunar probe Tag: china chang'e-1 lunar probe Lets hear it for the competition. :-) Thanks for looking up with me. Larry Kellogg Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/ BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/ RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update ============================================================== http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/feb/HQ_M08039_MA-Goldstone_Radar.html Feb. 22, 2008 Beth Dickey/Stephanie Schierholz Headquarters, Washington 202-358-2087/4997 bdickey at nasa.gov, stephanie.schierholz at nasa.gov DC Agle Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. 818-354-0474 agle at jpl.nasa.gov MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-039 NASA TO RELEASE ENHANCED RADAR IMAGERY OF LUNAR SOUTH POLE WASHINGTON -- NASA scientists have obtained the highest resolution terrain mapping to date of the moon's rugged south polar region and will discuss the imagery Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the 3rd Space Exploration Conference in Denver. Researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., generated the imagery using data collected with the facility's Goldstone Solar System Radar. The news media briefing is scheduled for noon MST in Room 506 of the Colorado Convention Center. Panelists for the briefing are: - Doug Cooke, deputy associate administrator, Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington - Scott Hensley, principal investigator, Lunar Image Team, JPL - Eric de Jong, principal investigator, Solar System Visualization, JPL For reporters who are unable to attend, a call-in line will be available. Call-in information is available by contacting Stephanie Schierholz at 202-834-0548. At noon MST on Feb. 27, terrain maps of the moon's south pole and other images will be available online at: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/022708.html For more information about NASA's program to return to the moon, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics will host the conference Feb. 26-28 in Denver. Media may register to attend by contacting Sharon Grace of AIAA at 703-264-7532 or sharong at aiaa.org. For more information about the conference, visit: http://www.aiaa.org/events/exploration -end- Snip ============================================================== http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=230&lumeetingid=1989 3rd Space Exploration Conference & Exhibit 50 Years of Space Exploration: Taking the Next Giant Leap 26 - 28 Feb 2008 Colorado Convention Center The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is pleased to announce that the 3rd Space Exploration Conference will be held 26?28 February 2008 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. As we recognize the many accomplishments the space community has contributed this past year, as well as the celebration of NASA's 50th anniversary in 2008, the 3rd Space Exploration Conference will serve as fertile ground for the best of the space community to gather, review pivotal programs from the past, and synergize its input to forward space exploration for the next 50 years. Dialogue and decisions made at this opportune time in history will help define and meet the challenges we will face in our nation's space programs for decades to come. Associated with the conference will be Education Alley, featuring dynamic educational outreach activities and associated competitions that will inspire the next generation to continue the exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. snip ============================================================== http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/main/index.html Future Missions Mission Exploration NASA Tests Lunar Habitat in Extreme Antarctic Environment NASA will use the cold, harsh, isolated landscape of Antarctica to test one of its concepts for astronaut housing on the moon. The agency is sending a prototype inflatable habitat to Antarctica to see how it fares during a year at McMurdo Station. > News Release http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2007/nov/HQ_07251_Inflatable_Lunar_Habitat.html > Photos http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/multimedia/inflatable_habitat.html http://www.nasa.gov/missions/future/index.html Snip ============================================================== WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK ============================================================== This is the lunar-update at news.altair.com https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update This list is a moderated list. The moderator is Larry Kellogg (larry.kellogg AT gmail.com) Please send suggestions for postings directly to Larry. ============================================================== From larry.kellogg at gmail.com Wed Feb 27 00:10:15 2008 From: larry.kellogg at gmail.com (Larry Kellogg) Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:10:15 -0800 Subject: [lunar-update] NASA to Release Enhanced Radar Imagery of Lunar South Pole - Comments Message-ID: <9bb827dc0802262110w3d358797y76db9477d26e60ff@mail.gmail.com> NASA to Release Enhanced Radar Imagery of Lunar South Pole - Comments ----------------------------------------------------- http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/feb/HQ_M08039_MA-Goldstone_Radar.html snip WASHINGTON -- NASA scientists have obtained the highest resolution terrain mapping to date of the moon's rugged south polar region and will discuss the imagery Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the 3rd Space Exploration Conference in Denver. Researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., generated the imagery using data collected with the facility's Goldstone Solar System Radar. The news media briefing is scheduled for noon MST in Room 506 of the Colorado Convention Center. snip ----------------------------------------------------- I received a note from Burton Sharpe, one of the co-authors of "THE MOON - Resources, Future Development and Settlement" in response to my thoughts that we can't see all of the Moon's South Pole. [See Below] In my reply to Burt I mentioned some links I found on the Moon's libration, which is what being able to see more than 50% of the Moon talks about. When is a good time to look at the South Pole and when would it be good to look at the North Pole? Nice simulation. - LRK - LIBRATION http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libration More information. - LRK - ------------------------- http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Smoon4.htm 4b. Libration of the Moon ------------------------- Where you are on this mother Earth makes a difference too as we have a tilt with respect to the ecliptic as well. - LRK - http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Sseason.htm Seasons. I mentioned to Burt that when Lunar Prospector was targeted to go into a crater at the lunar south pole we didn't see any signature for water vapor which it was hoped would be generated by the impact into where it was suspected there might be frozen water. I was asked why the software program 'Starry Night' didn't show an Earth rise if you put yourself on the surface of the Moon at the south pole. My only thought was that Lunar Prospector went in on July 31 and the partial lunar eclipse had occurred on the 28 of July and the Moon was descending towards the ecliptic and might be going below the ecliptic and Earth's path around the Sun by the 31st. I just took a look at an Astronomical Calendar 1999 by Guy Ottewell and on page 36 he says that on July 29 2:34 UT the Moon's center reaches descending node through the ecliptic. Doesn't look like by the 31st it would be the best time for looking UP at the south pole but rather would be better for looking down at the north pole. http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/ast26jul99_1.htm http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEcat/LEdecade1991.html http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEplot/LEplot1951/LE1999Jul28P.GIF Sooooh, will be interesting to see what comes up on the website on February 27 ------------------------------------- At noon MST on Feb. 27, terrain maps of the moon's south pole and other images will be available online at: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/022708.html -------------------------------------. Boy, I am sure glad you folks keep me on my toes, wouldn't want the gray matter to turn to mush. :-) Thanks for looking up with me. Larry Kellogg Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/ BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/ RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update ============================================================== Hi Larry -- This should be interesting! The Moon's rotational axis and orbital plane are tilted a total of about 6 degrees from the ecliptic, so this means that each month an observer on earth can see, alternately, 6 degrees beyond the pole, then 6 degrees shy of the pole. The SP region, though, has some very high and low rough terrain, so the actual relative terrain elevations are not so easily described. Maybe this will be a bigtime help? Thanks for your continuing dedication to All Things Lunar! One of the very best resources around! Burt Sharpe In a message dated 2/23/2008 8:19:33 P.M. Central Standard Time, larry.kellogg at gmail.com writes: I didn't think we could see all of the Lunar South Pole from Earth. Will be interesting to see what they got and how they compare with what the Japanese are taking with their satellites that are now orbiting the Moon. - LRK - Snip ============================================================== http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Smoon4.htm 4b. Libration of the Moon Observers on Earth can see a little more than half the surface of the Moon, thanks to processes known as "librations." The term comes from "libra," Latin for scales. This too is the name of a constellation in the zodiac, supposedly resembling scales, and what we call "pound" also used to be called "libra," and hence the abbreviation "lb". Snip ============================================================== http://www.stargazing.net/david/moon/moonlibration.html MOON LIBRATION Snip Libration is the small oscillation of the Moon about its mean position. Longitude libration occurs from the Moon's synchronous rotation and elliptical orbit. Latitude libration is the result of the Moon's equator being slightly tilted (1.5?) from its orbital plane and its orbital plane being tilted 5? from the ecliptic. Diurnal libration is the result of the motion of the observer on Earth as the Earth rotates. When the Moon is rising in the east we see more of the Moon's eastern edge and when the Moon is setting in the west we see more of the Moon's western edge. Maximum librations are 7? 54' longitude and 6? 50' latitude. Also, 1? diurnal libration occures because of motion of the observer as the Earth rotates. Snip ============================================================== http://trs-new.jpl.nasa.gov/dspace/bitstream/2014/19004/1/98-0161.pdf LUNAR DISSIPATION: ROTATIONAL AND ORBITAL CONSEQUENCES J. G. Williams , T. P. Krisher, D. H. Boggs, J. T. Ratcliff, and J. O. Dickey Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91109 snip The analysis of lunar laser ranging (LLR) data strongly detects a signature of dissipation in lunar rotation. The two possible sources of dissipation are solid-body tides and interaction at a liquid-core/solid-mantle interface. A simultaneous fit of both dissipation models [1] finds each cause contributing about half of the dissipation signature. The separation comes from rotation terms which are a few percent of the leading dissipation term. Dissipation from tides and core also influences the lunar orbit, causing secular changes in the orbit period and eccentricity. The latter is useful and is in better agreement when core dissipation is included, The lunar equator (mantle) is tilted I = 1.5427? to the ecliptic plane and it exhibits retrograde precession along the ecliptic with an 18.6 yr period. The equator and orbit planes precess along the ecliptic plane with the same 18.6 yr (retrograde) period. Without dissipation, the descending node of the equator matches the ascending node of the orbit, The most important effect of dissipation on the lunar rotation is a shift of the node of the processing equator plane (and pole of rotation) from alignment with the orbit node [2] [3] [4]. Dissipation from both solid-body tides [2] and core/mantle interactions [3] can cause this phase shift, The shift is most sensitive to monthly tides and monthly velocity differences between fluid core and mantle. The shift in the processing pole direction projects into the direction to Earth as a monthly signature. Snip ============================================================== WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK ============================================================== This is the lunar-update at news.altair.com https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update This list is a moderated list. The moderator is Larry Kellogg (larry.kellogg AT gmail.com) Please send suggestions for postings directly to Larry. ============================================================== From larry.kellogg at gmail.com Wed Feb 27 21:07:14 2008 From: larry.kellogg at gmail.com (Larry Kellogg) Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:07:14 -0800 Subject: [lunar-update] NASA Views Landing Site Through Eyes of Future Moon Crew Message-ID: <9bb827dc0802271807y1a8b0b98g9ef29bf63413e78@mail.gmail.com> NASA Views Landing Site Through Eyes of Future Moon Crew http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/moon-20080227.html Copied the above press release below. - LRK - How about that, the link is live and much more information. Check out the link for a number of animations. - LRK - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/022708.html Libration Movie The moon's orbit is not perfectly circular its rotation axis is tilted with respect to Earth allowing scientists to image slightly different parts of the Moon during a its 28 day long lunar day. This movie shows the portion of the Moon visible to the Earth over several months around the time when radar data of the south polar region of the Moon was collected. Earth Moon Contact Radar signals from the Goldstone Solar system Radar are reflected back to Earth and received at two antennas separated by 13 kilometers. By receiving at the two antennas, three dimensional topographic maps of the lunar surface can be generated. Digital Elevation Map of Lunar South Pole Image brightness is generated from the strength of the radar echoes that are bounced of the lunar surface and the color represents the elevation. This map covers an area of 650 kilometers by 450 kilometers with an elevation measurement every 40 meters. Slope Map This map shows the steepness of the terrain in the south polar region of the moon. Using a map like this helps determine the assessable areas to human or robotic explorers. High Resolution Slope Map The left image shows the topographic contours in color with each cycle of color representing 2 kilometers of elevation change. The right image is the corresponding slope map of the area. The slope map indicates slopes in access of 20 degrees in the region around Shakleton Crater. Lunar Illumination Movie This movie is a simulation of the amount of solar illumination in the south polar region of moon over a solar day generated using high resolution topography. South Pole Flyover Animation This animation depicts a flyover of the moon's south pole region ending in the vicinity of Shackleton Crater. Lunar Landing Animation This animation utilizes the latest terrain data of the moon's south pole region in the generation of a animation of what a future moon crew could see during a descent to the rim of Shackleton Crater. Snip [And some more information. - LRK -] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sooooh, it looks like they imaged the area of the Lunar South Pole that is of interest for a possible landing site. Next maybe we look in the Aitken basin for a place to put of a radio telescope, well maybe a few more years from now. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Pole-Aitken_basin - LRK - The simulated lunar landing can also be viewed in the Multimedia Video Featured section. http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html Thanks for looking up with me. Larry Kellogg Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/ BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/ RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update ============================================================== NASA Views Landing Site Through Eyes of Future Moon Crew http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/moon-20080227.html Feb. 27, 2008 Stephanie Schierholz Headquarters, Washington 202-358-4997/2087 stephanie.schierholz at nasa.gov DC Agle Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. 818-393-9011 agle at jpl.nasa.gov RELEASE: 08-068 NASA VIEWS LANDING SITE THROUGH EYES OF FUTURE MOON CREW WASHINGTON - NASA has obtained the highest resolution terrain mapping to date of the moon's rugged south polar region, with a resolution to 20 meters per pixel. Scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., collected the data using the facility's Goldstone Solar System Radar located in California's Mojave Desert. The imagery generated by the data has been incorporated into animation depicting the descent to the lunar surface of a future human lunar lander and a flyover of Shackleton Crater. The mapping data collected indicate that the region of the moon's south pole near Shackleton Crater is much more rugged than previously understood. The Shackleton rim area is considered a candidate landing site for a future human mission to the moon. "The south pole of the moon certainly would be a beautiful place to explore," said Doug Cooke, deputy associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, Washington. "We now know the south pole has peaks as high as Mt. McKinley and crater floors four times deeper than the Grand Canyon. There are challenges that come with such rugged terrain, and these data will be an invaluable tool for advance planning of lunar missions." Three times during a six-month period in 2006, scientists targeted the moon's south polar region using Goldstone's 70-meter radar dish. The antenna, three-quarters the size of a football field, sent a 500-kilowatt strong, 90-minute long radar stream 231,800 miles to the moon. The radar bounced off the rough-hewn lunar terrain over an area measuring about 400 miles by 250 miles. Signals were reflected back to two of Goldstone's 34-meter antennas on Earth. The roundtrip time, from the antenna to the moon and back, was about two-and-a-half seconds. "I have not been to the moon, but this imagery is the next best thing," said Scott Hensley, a scientist at JPL and lead investigator for the study. "With these data we can see terrain features as small as a house without even leaving the office." Previously, the best resolution of the moon's south pole was generated by the Clementine spacecraft, which could resolve lunar terrain features near the south pole at 1 kilometer per pixel. The new resolution generated by JPL is 50 times more detailed. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will provide the next generation of lunar imaging and data. The spacecraft is scheduled to launch in late 2008. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera will retrieve high resolution images of the moon's surface and lunar poles with resolutions to 1 meter. These images will provide knowledge of polar illumination conditions, identify potential resources and hazards, and enable safe landing site selection. Other instruments aboard the orbiter will return data such as temperature maps, ultraviolet images, characterization of radiation on the moon and a high resolution 3-D map. NASA's quest for up-to-date imagery of the moon also will benefit from international missions such as Japan's Selene robotic probe. Funding for the program was provided by NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. To view animation, terrain maps of the moon's south pole and images from this story, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/022708.html Video animation developed from the high resolution imaging also will air on NASA Television. For NASA TV downlink and schedule information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv JPL manages the Goldstone Solar System Radar and the Deep Space Network for NASA. To learn more about them, visit: http://deepspace.jpl.nasa.gov/dsn For information about NASA's exploration program to return humans to the moon, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration -end- Snip ============================================================== http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/022708.html Enhanced Radar Imagery of Lunar South Pole Media Briefing 2 p.m. Eastern/11 a.m. Pacific 02.27.08 NASA has obtained the highest resolution terrain mapping to date of the moon's rugged south polar region. Scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., generated the imagery using data collected with the facility's Goldstone Solar System Radar. Panelists for the Feb. 27 media briefing are: --Doug Cooke, deputy associate administrator, Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington --Scott Hensley, principal investigator, Lunar Image Team, JPL --Kelly Snook, lunar program scientist, NASA Ames --Eric De Jong, principal investigator, Solar System Visualization Project, JPL Snip [Go to the above link to see a number of animations. - LRK -] ============================================================== http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/feb/HQ_08068_lunar_truck.html Feb. 27, 2008 Stephanie Schierholz Headquarters, Washington 202-358-4997/2087 stephanie.schierholz at nasa.gov Brandi Dean Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-244-1403 brandi.k.dean at nasa.gov RELEASE: 08-068 NASA'S NEWEST CONCEPT VEHICLE TAKES OFF-ROADING OUT OF THIS WORLD HOUSTON - In a car commercial, it would sound odd: active suspension, six-wheel drive with independent steering for each wheel, no doors, no windows, no seats and the only color available is gold. But NASA's latest concept vehicle is meant to go way off-road, as in 240,000 miles from the nearest pavement, and drive on the moon. NASA is working to send astronauts to the moon by 2020 to set up a lunar outpost, where they will do scientific research and prepare for journeys to more distant destinations. Built at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, the new design is one concept for a future lunar truck. The vehicle provides an idea of what the transportation possibilities may be when astronauts start exploring the moon. Other than a few basic requirements, the primary instruction given to the designers was to throw away assumptions made on NASA's previous rovers and come up with new ideas. Snip http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/main/lunar_truck.html NASA's Newest Concept Vehicles Take Off-Roading Out of This World [See images of vehicles. - LRK -] ============================================================== http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/feb/HQ_C08007_constellation_contract.html Feb. 27, 2008 Beth Dickey/Stephanie Schierholz Headquarters, Washington 202-358-2087/4997 beth.dickey-1 at nasa.gov, stephanie.schierholz at nasa.gov Lynnette Madison/Josh Byerly Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 lynnette.b.madison at nasa.gov, bill.j.byerly at nasa.gov CONTRACT RELEASE: C08-007 NASA AWARDS CONSTELLATION PROGRAM SUPPORT CONTRACT WASHINGTON - NASA has awarded SGT Inc. of Greenbelt, Md., a contract for support services for Constellation Program, which is developing new spacecraft to travel beyond low Earth orbit. The Constellation fleet includes the Orion crew vehicle, the Ares I and Ares V launch vehicles and Altair human lunar lander. The small business contract has a potential value of $60 million with options. Work on the contract will be performed at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston with additional work possible at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. Snip For more information about the contract, visit: http://procurement.jsc.nasa.gov/cpsc For information about NASA's exploration program, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration Snip ============================================================== WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK ============================================================== This is the lunar-update at news.altair.com https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update This list is a moderated list. The moderator is Larry Kellogg (larry.kellogg AT gmail.com) Please send suggestions for postings directly to Larry. ==============================================================