LCROSS Mission Observation Campaign

Details LCROSS Mission Observation Campaign LCROSS Mission Observation Campaign

May 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009aas...21425603d&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #214, #256.03; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.757

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Scientific paper

With the impacts of the Centaur and Shepherding Spacecraft occurring within a permanently-shadowed crater near one of the lunar poles, the impacts themselves may be obscured by the crater rim as seen from Earth and Earth orbit. However, ground-based and orbital observatories will observe the dust and water vapor plume caused by the two impacts into the lunar surface. The impact ejecta cloud should be in view of Earth assets just several seconds after impact and will peak in brightness around 30-100 seconds after impact.
Observatories whose locations provide them with good, dark-sky views of the Moon at time of impact will be able to observe the thermal evolution of and the spectrographic properties of the ejecta plume. Observatories in other locations will be able to make observations of the longer time scale evolution of the OH exosphere. Ground-based observatories with plans for LCROSS observation studies include (but are not limited to) Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, Apache Point Observatory, Infrared Telescope Facility, MMT, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Keck, Gemini North, and Subaru. Scheduled space-based observation assets include (but are not limited to) HST, LRO, and Odin. Mission scientists estimate that the Centaur impact plume may be visible through amateur-class telescopes with apertures as small as 10 to 12 inches. The LCROSS mission will actively solicit images of the impact from the public. These images will provide a valuable addition to the archive of data chronicling the impact and its aftermath. Prior to launch, amateurs are working with the science team in imaging potential impact target areas in order to refine telescope pointing strategies for the impact.
For more information see: http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/observation.htm

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