- Earth’s Moon – surprising revelations! Credit: NASA
Mountain View, California — Hundreds of researchers have gathered here at the NASA Lunar Science Institute at the space agency’s Ames Research Center. They are taking part this week in the 3rd annual NASA Lunar Science Forum.
A universal message stemming from addresses and papers presented – the Moon is far from being a “been there, done that” place for exploration.
In opening remarks, Director of Ames, Pete Worden, flagged the fact that any perceived view that NASA’s interest in the Moon is in retreat-mode “is rubbish.”
An early, eyes-on hit at the meeting is the impressive data being returned from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) now circling the Moon with an array of science sensors and a powerful camera system.
According to one conference participant impressed at LRO’s output: “It’s not delivering a fire hose of data…it’s Niagara Falls!”
This is an exciting time, said Jim Green, Director of the space agency’s Planetary Science Division. “We have data…fabulous data.”
More respect!
Indeed, there is strong consensus that our understanding of the Moon is at a transformative stage.
“We have a new Moon,” emphasized noted author and Moon exploration advocate, Andrew Chaikin. “The transformation of the Moon is not over,” he pointed out, pressing the community of lunar researchers to mobilize.
Thanks to LRO and NASA’s Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) lunar impactor mission – as well as lunar missions carried out by Europe, Japan, China and India – the Moon has not only been found to have water – but lots of it!
Drawing upon a line from the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield, Chaikin said “it’s time for the Moon to get a little respect.”
The Lunar Science Forum is a unique setting to delve into a trio of exploration themes regarding Earth’s next door neighbor:
Of the Moon: Study the nature and history of the Moon (including research on lunar samples) to learn about this specific object and thereby provide insights into the evolution of our solar system.
On the Moon: Investigate the effects of the lunar environment on terrestrial life, the equipment that supports lunar inhabitants, and the effects on the lunar environment of robotic and human presence.
From the Moon: Use the Moon as a platform for performing scientific investigations, including observations of the Earth and other celestial phenomena that are uniquely enabled by being on the lunar surface.
By Leonard David