SMART-1 star tracker views the Moon in earthshine (Forwarded)

ESA News
http://www.esa.int

2 September 2006

SMART-1 star tracker views the Moon in earthshine

An impressive sequence of Moon images in earthshine was taken by one of
SMART-1's star trackers, or attitude cameras, on 1 September 2006. The
images are presented as they were acquired, without additional processing.

In the final phases before impact, and as a nice add-on to the mission
outcome so far, SMART-1 scientists and the flight control team took the
opportunity to test a fast-tracking imaging mode with the star tracker,
normally used to orient the spacecraft in space, and take an additional
look at the Moon while the spacecraft is getting steadily closer.

The images show a beautiful dark Moon illuminated only by light coming
from Earth. SMART-1's star tracker gathered this sequence over a few
seconds between 14:15 and 15:06 CEST (12:15 to 13:06 UT) on 1 September,
during a slew (rotation) manoeuvre aimed at starting the next imaging
session with the AMIE camera on board the spacecraft.

The constellations visible at the beginning of the sequence (when the star
tracker started taking images) are Corona Australis and Sagittarius.

Then, the Sun-illuminated Moon appears in the field of view. Later, as the
spacecraft continues its slew, the Moon's disk -- illuminated by only
earthshine -- starts to appear in full beauty.

The dark highland areas correspond to flat mare basalts, about 3000
million years old. The bright spots on the surface correspond to
relatively young craters showing fresh material brought to the surface by
lunar impacts.

Approximately one-third through the sequence, it is possible to see a
remarkable featu an impact crater (a bright circle at top right) and
the elongated shapes of ejected material extending radially outward.

Later in the sequence, it is possible to see highland reliefs in an
oblique view.

When taking these images, SMART-1 was flying at about 600 kilometres above
the lunar surface.

[NOTE: Images supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMZ16BVLRE_index_1.html ]

More about ...

* Looking at the Moon
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/SMART-1/index.html

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* Intense final hours for SMART-1
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMV386LARE_index_0.html
* Amateur observers prepare to watch SMART-1 impact
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMME86LARE_index_0.html
* SMART-1 maps its own impact site
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/SMART-1/SEM1946LARE_0.html
* Impact landing on the Moon
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http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/SMART-1/SEMLZ36LARE_0.html

SMART-1 impact FAQ

* SMART-1 Impact Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/SMART-1/SEMWSW5LARE_0.html

Related links

* Space-X
http://www.space-x.ch/
* Advanced Moon micro-Imager Experiment (AMIE)
http://www.space-x.ch/Amie.htm