LCROSS Lunar Impact

[eskimo20]

Are we likely to see this through an 8 - 12" scope?

http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/imagedisplay/img_display.php?pic=060410_lcross_f irsthit_02.jpg&cap=An+artist%27s+interpretation+of +NASA%27s+LCROSS+spacecraft+observi ng+the+first+impact+of+its+rocket+b ooster%27s+upper+stage+before+headi ng+in+for+its%27+own+crash+into+the +Moon%27s+South+Pole.+Credit%3A+NAS A.+Click+to+enlarge.

Robert

[Astro78]

Hi Robert,

According to Nasa Yes :eyepop:

"Mission scientists estimate that the Centaur impact plume may be visible through amateur-class telescopes with apertures as small as 10 to 12 inches"

http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/observation.htm

:welcome: to IIS

[eskimo20]

Thanks Astro 78.

I see that the impact will be optimized for viewing from Hawaii and that the impact sites will be chosen from - Shoemaker, Shakleton, Cabeaus, Faustini, Peary.

R

[leinad]

Guys! Heads up ! 3hrs time from now.

On Tuesday morning, the LCROSS spacecraft will fly by the Moon (http://www.universetoday.com/guide-to-space/the-moon/) only 9,000 km above the lunar surface and send back live streaming video for about an hour.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/lunarswingby/

Video stream coverage will begin approximately 5:10 a.m. PDT (1:10 p.m. GMT) on Tuesday, June 23, 2009. Please reload page after 5:10 a.m.

http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/lcross-lunar-swingby/index.html

Twitter updates
http://twitter.com/LCROSS_NASA

[leinad]

LCROSS has reached closest approach to the Moon for swingby. 3200 km from Moon!

[h0ughy]

missed it

[leinad]

Still going on now houghy
See second link above, they're mostly doing camera/attitude slew checks and data collection tests

It akes a minute or two for the stream to load

[AstroJunk]

I think 'optimiszed' is an anagram (imperfect) for ONLY.

Sadly the moon will be near/below the horizon for us :sadeyes:

[iceman]

Nice video recap on this site linked by leinad:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/lunarswingby/

[eskimo20]

So you have a firm date/time for the impact?

Robert

[AstroJunk]

Est: October 9, 2009 at 11:30 UT (9:30pm Qld time)

[higginsdj]

30 minute before the Moon rises :( New Zealand should see something.

[Davekyn]

Nasa podcast "first steps to lunar impact" implies that scopes of 10" - 12" may be able to see it-Shame many of us will not be situated to view this event. :(