Lcross Impact info help!!!

[Jazza11 (Jeremy)]

I want to see the impact and wanted to know if anyone knew what time it is expected to impact from what i know it is Est: October 9, 2009 at 11:30 UT (9:30pm Qld time) is this correct??? and will a 4mm EP with 10" be good enough??? If anyone has any info at all about times or equipment i should pick up quickly please tell me.

[ngcles]

Hi Jazza,

Sorry to pour cold water on the plans but sadly the Moon won't be above your local horizon at the time of impact. Don't think it rises till after midnight that night so it'll be all over red-rover by the time you can see the Moon.


Best,

Les D

[Jazza11 (Jeremy)]

Well how long is the plume of dust and debris suppost to be visible for???

[ngcles]

HI Jazza & All,

Originally Posted by Jazza11

Well how long is the plume of dust and debris suppost to be visible for???

I think (from memory) the impact is calculated to produce a crater about 20m diameter and a plume 14km high containing about 300-odd tonnes of rock & dust (and hopefully water/ice).

Assuming it is visible in amateur 'scopes at all and remembering there is essentially no lunar atmosphere to slow the descent of the material in the plume or for the dust to be suspended in, I'd think no more than about a half hour before the dust settles -- an hour at most. Realistically, probably more like 15mins.

I believe it'll be all well and truly over by the time of local moon-rise. Probably not a bad I idea to take a peek later on if you've already got the 'scope out.


Best,

Les D

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

You'll get the info you need from here: http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/observation.htm but based on past events I wouldn't be expecting to see much.

There is supposed to be a live webcast of the event but I don't think they've posted a link to it yet, so keep an eye on the official mission pages at NASA as the time approaches. (I haven't a hope of seeing anything here in Perth so the webcast is my best bet)

[mozzie (Peter)]

damn how inconsiderate dont they think of us in the southern hem
mozzie

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Originally Posted by mozzie

damn how inconsiderate dont they think of us in the southern hem
mozzie

I feel your pain but the impact not being visiable isn't due to us being in the south. It's the timing. They are discriminating against the eastern hemisphere.

[Jazza11 (Jeremy)]

Yea that sucks but i hear they picked that time because the keck observatory will be able to get the best shots