Category Archives: Lunar Science

Wednesday / 20 June 2012

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Japan SELENE-2 To Study Internal Structure / Evolution Of Moon

Planned To Launch In Mid 2010s, SELENE-2 Includes Lander, Rover, Communication Relay Orbiter; Top Science Priority To Clarify Process Of Magma Ocean During Early Stage Of  Planetary Evolution, & Seismic Observation To Understand Internal Structure Of Moon; JAXA Considering Possibility Of Launching 2 Landers, Polar & Equatorial; SELENE-X Sample Return / Logistics Demonstrator To Follow; Pictured: SELENE-2 Director Prof Sho Sasaki

Image Credit: JAXA

Friday / 15 June 2012

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Nano Particles Account For Unusual Characteristics Of Lunar Dust

Queensland University Of Technology Professor Marek Zbik Utilizes Synchrotron-Based Nano Tomography To Isolate Nano Particles Inside Lunar Glass Bubbles; Formed By Meteorite Impacts; Pulverizing Of Rocks Mixes Particles Into Regolith; Nano Particles Behave According To Laws Of Quantum Physics, Give Lunar Dust Unusual Properties: Electro-Static Charge, Extreme Chemical Activity, Low Thermal Conductivity, Etc

Image Credit: canindia.com, NASA

Wednesday / 13 June 2012

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5 USA Lunar Orbiters Continue To Advance Lunar Science

Twin ARTEMIS Crafts Reveal Unexpected Influence Of Complex Lunar Electric & Magnetic Fields On Solar Wind; NASA / GSFC Issues Sole-Source RFP To UCLA For Continuation Of Instrument / Science  Management Of LRO Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment From March 2013 – March 2015; GRAIL Crafts Ebb & Flow Preparing For Extended Science Operations 30 Aug – 3 Dec 2012

Image Credit: NASA

Tuesday / 12 June 2012

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Ames Research Center / NLSI Nurturing Next Generation Of Lunar Scientists

Lunar Extreme Workshop 2012 At Ames, Moffett Field CA, 18-22 June; High School Teachers & Students Participating In The DREAM Program Will Interact With Lunar Scientists As They Research The Extreme Environmental Dynamics Of The Moon; NASA Lunar Science Institute To Host 5th Annual Lunar Science Forum 17-19 July 2012, To Include Dedicated Side Conference For Graduate Students & Young Lunar Professionals

Image Credit: NASA

Weekend Edition / 26-29 May 2012

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James Head To Talk Lunar Science At NLSI Director’s Seminar

On Tuesday 29 May, Brown University Professor James Head Will Give A Presentation On ‘The Moon As A Touchstone For Solar System Science” At NASA Lunar Science Institute In CA, USA; Discoveries & Insights About Other Terrestrial Planets Gained From Moon Through 50 Years Of Exploration; Candidate Future Directions For Lunar Science & Exploration; Videoconference Participation Available

Tuesday / 22 May 2012

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Cislunar Econosphere Session At ISDC 2012

Moon Society Organizing CisLunar Econosphere Session On Sunday 27 May During International Space Development Conference In Washington DC; Industry, Academia & Independent Experts Will Address Key Infrastructure Elements / Capabilities Needed To Expand Economic Activity In CisLunar Space; Moon Mining From L1, Polar Ice For Fuel, GRAIL Mission Report, Communications, & More 

Image Credit: Moon Society, ISDC2012

Weekend Edition / 19-21 May 2012

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LRO CRaTER Scientists Discuss Implications Of Recent Solar Flare

UNH Scientists Harlan Spence (R) & Nathan Schwadron (L), PI & Deputy PI Of LRO CRaTER Instrument Are Available To Discuss Implications Of Powerful Solar Flare That Erupted 16 May; Enormous Sunspot 160,000km Across Could Create Damaging Radiation Storms Over Earth In Next Several Days; Primary Goal Of LRO CRaTER Instrument Is To Characterize Global Lunar Radiation Environment And Its Biological Impacts 

Image Credit: NASA, UNH, dailymail.co.uk

Thursday / 17 May 2012

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EPSC 2012 Seeking Lunar Session Abstracts

Abstract Submission Deadline Is 23 May For European Planetary Science Congress 2012; Conference Organizers Seeking Submissions For Following Lunar Sessions: Lunar Volatiles, Lunar Science & Exploration – A Global Approach, Lunar Science & Google Lunar X Prize, Moon As Tool For Public Engagement; EPSC 2012 Will Be Held In Madrid, 23-28 September

Image Credit: epsc2012.eu

Wednesday / 16 May 2012

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LRO Provides Proof Of Recent Lunar Geologic Activity

Scarps & Graben Imaged By LRO Show Moon Was Actively Shrinking & Growing More Recently Than Previously Believed; Lobate Scarps On Lunar Surface Less Than 10m High / Several Km Long Indicate Distance Between Moon Surface & Center Shrank About 100m; Graben (L) Show Evidence Of Lunar Expansion; Scientists Believe Features To Be Around 50M Years Old, Compared To 4.5B Year Old Moon

Image Credit: NASA

Friday / 27 April 2012

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India Planning 2 GSLV Launches In Preparation For Chandrayaan-2 Launch

Image Credit: southtek.com, K. Pichumani, ISRO

ISRO Chairman Radhakrishnan Says Chandrayaan-2 Launch Will Follow 2 Successful Launches Of GSLV Rocket With Indigenous Cryogenic Engine; GSLV Systems To Undergo Series Of Tests & Modifications To Rectify Problems From 2 Failed Launches; Next Launches Scheduled For Fall 2012, Early 2013, Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter / Lander / Rover Launch NET 2014