Category Archives: Astronomy from the Moon

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 8-11 Jun 2018

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LUNAR, DARE Missions Advance Astronomy From The Moon

Jack Burns From University Of Colorado Boulder Continues To Lead Lunar University Network For Astrophysics Research (LUNAR) To Advance Space Science Studies, Lunar Laser Ranging, Heliophysics, Astrophysics; Burns Is Also Principal Investigator On Dark Ages Radio Explorer (DARE) Lunar Orbiter Planning For Launch 2023, 2-Year Mission Would Study Cosmic Dawn Through Heating, Ionization Of Intergalactic Medium, Low-Radio Frequencies Of 40-120 MHz From Moon Farside At 125-km Altitude

Credits: CU Boulder, NASA

Friday / 8 Jun 2018

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Astronomy From The Moon Advancing At American Astronomical Society 232nd Meeting

 AAS 232nd Meeting Highlights Multiple Applications / Benefits Of Astronomy From Moon & In Space: ‘A New Frontier For 21st Century Astrophysics‘ By ILOA Director Steve Durst (R) Discusses Galaxy Observations From Stable & Large Platform Of Lunar Surface, Radio Quiet Far Side, Permanent Darkness In Polar Craters, Thin Exosphere, Access For Future Human Service Missions; Jack Burns Of CU Presents Advantages Of Satellite In Low Lunar Orbit; Robert MacDowall Of GSFC Talks On Possibility Of Low-Frequency Observations From Moon Surface; Heino Falcke (L) Of Radboud University Examines China NCLE & Building Toward Lunar Radio Observatory

Credits: ILOA, NASA, Radboud Univ., ISIS, ASTRON, et al

Wednesday / 6 Jun 2018

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Netherlands-China Low-Frequency Explorer Team Looks Forward To Studying Cosmic Dark Ages From Behind The Moon

Recently Launched Queqiao Relay Satellite For Future Chang’e-4 Lunar Far Side Lander Carries NCLE Instrument On Its Backside – With Three Deployable 5-m Monopole Antennas To Measure Radio Waves Below 30 MHz; Chang’e-4 Expected To Land By End Of 2018; NCLE Antennas To Unfold After Chang’e-4 Primary Mission Completes Around March 2019; Principal Investigator Heino Falcke From Netherlands Radboud University Presents “Radio Astronomy On And Around The Moon” At Ongoing American Astronomical Society 232nd Meeting In Denver, USA

Credits: CAST, NCLE, AAS, ASTRON, Heino Falcke

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 25-28 May 2018

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ISDC 2018 Holding 2 Full Sessions On Moon Development

National Space Society Hosts 37th International Space Development Conference (ISDC) And ~300 Speakers In Los Angeles 24-27 May With Theme “Space Travel: Putting People Into Space”; Thursday Session And Dedicated Entire Saturday Moon Exploration Symposium Co-chaired By (L-R) Madhu Thangavelu & John Mankins Will Feature Clive Neal, Bernard Foing, Henk Rogers, Steve Durst, Kate Arkless Gray And 20 Others On Topics Including International Moon Village, Lunar Economics & Markets, Astronomy From Moon, Lunar Settlement, Commercial Space, Landers, Habitats, Future Directions

Credits: NSS, NASA, ESA, Moon Village Association, University of Notre Dame, ILOA

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 18-21 May 2018

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Chang’e-4 Relay To Attempt Detection Of Radio Signals From Cosmic Dark Ages

China To Launch Long March 4C / Chang’e-4 Relay From Xichang 20 May, Precursor For November Moon South Pole Lander; Loft 2 Microsatellites To Lunar Orbit For Low Frequency Radio Astronomy & Interferometry, And Relay Satellite (Queqiao) To L2 Which Carries Netherlands-China Low Frequency Explorer (NCLE) Pathfinder; NCLE Scheduled To Unspool Three 2-meter Antennas March 2019, Detect Radio Signals Pre-First Stars, Study Solar Flares & Jupiter Aurora; NCLE PI Heino Falcke Advocates For Radio Astronomy From Moon

Credits: CNSA, NASA, Radboud University, ASTRON Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 4-7 May 2018

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ILOA / Galaxy Forum 10 Years On

International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) Board Of Directors Meeting 25 May During ISDC In Los Angeles Will Consider 4 Lunar Mission Update Including Project Partners Moon Express & Canadensys, Human Moon Mission, First Women On The Moon Initiative – Highlighted In 2018 Application For IAF 3G Diversity Award, Astronomy From The Moon Major Advancements At Events: NVM2, 232nd AAS, 30th IAU GA, Galaxy Forum Europe – Vienna In Aug, Galaxy Forum Hainan 4-7 Dec China, Galaxy Forum Japan Feb 2019 TBD; ILOA Strategic MMoU Principal Operating Partnership Gaining Momentum Toward Feb 2019 Southeast Asia Benefactors Reception In Singapore

Credits: ILOA, GF, SPC, NASA, Canadensys, ME, ESA, CNSA, ISRO

Friday / 27 Apr 2018

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China Planning Next Phase Of Astronomy From The Moon With Multipayload Launch May-June

Advanced Lunar Orbiter Queqiao “Bridge Of Magpies” Set To Launch May Or June To Earth-Moon Lagrange Point L2 To Support Chang’e-4 Lander / Rover Mission On Moon Far Side, South Pole / Aitken Basin NET November; Orbiter Launching Via Long March 4C With 2 Microsatellites DSLWP A1 and A2  (Longjiang 1 & 2) Weighing 45 kg Each, Intended For 200 x 9,000-km Lunar Orbit For Low Frequency (1-30 MHz) Radio Astronomy & Interferometry To Observe Energetic Phenomena From Celestial Sources; Will Take Advantage Of Lack Of Atmosphere, Moon Ability To Shield Radio Interference From Earth

Credits: Harbin Institute of Technology, CAST, CCTV / Framegrab, CAS, NAOC, NASA

Friday / 20 Apr 2018

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New Views From The Moon 2 – Asia 2018 In Japan Exchanging International Lunar Research, Mission Plans

University of Aizu, Japan, and Lunar and Planetary Institute Host NVM2 Conference 18-20 April 2018 With ~55 International Lunar Experts Covering Topics Including Landing Sites, Astronomy From The Moon, Lava Tubes, Geology, Volatiles, Lunar Space Elevator; 8 International South Pole Landers Identified For Missions By 2025, Collaborations Needed To Avoid Duplication, Maximize Science And Determine Where To Lead Investigations; LEAG Commercial Advisory Board Of ~30 Members Planning Next CAB Meeting 19 June

Pictured: Clive Neal, Ben Bussey, Makiko Ohtake, (Steve) Liu Yang, Carle Pieters, Junya Terazono; Image Credits: Univ. of Aizu, Univ. of Notre Dame, NASA, Brown Univ., JAXA, ISRO, KARI, ESA, Roscosmos, CNSA, LPI, ILOA

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 6-9 Apr 2018

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ILOA Announces Galaxy Forum Hainan 2018: China, Themed International Human Moon Missions, And Astronomy From The Moon

Registration Now Open For 4-7 December 2018 Galaxy Forum Hainan Being Held At Hilton Wenchang On Hainan Island, China’s Southernmost Province; Featured Speakers Include Dr. Andy Aldrin, Prof. Ziyuan Ouyang, Astronaut Soyeon Yi, ILOA Director Steve Durst, Dr. Maohai Huang, Dr. David Schrunk, Dr. Chris Sallaberger; Participation Will Come From Global Commercial, International, National Representatives; Sponsors / Supporters Are International Lunar Observatory Association, Chinese Society Of Astronautics, National Astronomical Observatories Of China, International Astronautical Federation, Canadian Space Agency

Credits: ILOA, SPC, CSA, NAOC, IAF, CSA-ASC

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 2-5 Mar 2018

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First 2018 ILOA Galaxy Forum In Yogyakarta, Indonesia 3 March

ILOA Galaxy Forum At Gadjah Mada University, Hosted By Geological Engineering Department / Dr. Hendra Amijaya; Major SEA Collaborations & Participation From ~300 Attendees To Advance Global Galaxy / 21st Century Education, Science; 9 Presentations Include Chatief Kunjaya Of Ma Chung University, Arry Buchori Of Skyworld Indonesia On Astronomy Education, Steve Durst Of ILOA On Astronomy From The Moon And International Human Moon Missions, Jonathan Hung Of SSTA, Boonrucksar Soonthornthum Of NARIT; Malaysia UKM Participation By Sabirin Abdullah, Bandung Inst. Of Technology Expert Hakim Malasan, Gadjah Mada University Representative Nugroho Imam

Credits: ILOA, GF, GSTC, SSTA, Skyworld, NARIT, Gadjah Mada Univ., UKM, et al