Possible Observation of Water Vapor on the Moon

Science News ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 100 (17) ◽  
pp. 277
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
The Moon

scholarly journals Close Cassini flybys of Saturn’s ring moons Pan, Daphnis, Atlas, Pandora, and Epimetheus

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 364 (6445) ◽  
pp. eaat2349 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Buratti ◽  
P. C. Thomas ◽  
E. Roussos ◽  
C. Howett ◽  
M. Seiß ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Water Vapor ◽  
Thermal Infrared ◽  
Ring System ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Volcanic Plumes ◽  
Cassini Mission ◽  
Main Ring

Saturn’s main ring system is associated with a set of small moons that either are embedded within it or interact with the rings to alter their shape and composition. Five close flybys of the moons Pan, Daphnis, Atlas, Pandora, and Epimetheus were performed between December 2016 and April 2017 during the ring-grazing orbits of the Cassini mission. Data on the moons’ morphology, structure, particle environment, and composition were returned, along with images in the ultraviolet and thermal infrared. We find that the optical properties of the moons’ surfaces are determined by two competing processes: contamination by a red material formed in Saturn’s main ring system and accretion of bright icy particles or water vapor from volcanic plumes originating on the moon Enceladus.

scholarly journals High altitude interferometer spectra of Mars

1971 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 246-246
Author(s):  
Uwe Fink ◽  
G. P. Kuiper
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
The Other ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Rapid Scan

Spectra of Mars were presented which were taken as part of the LPL high altitude program [1] with the NASA CV990 jet. The spectra were taken at about 40 000′ (12 km) altitude. Two sets of five flights each were made around May 1, 1969 and June 1, 1969. In each case the first flight was a Moon comparison flight and the other four were Mars flights, with some Moon if the Moon could be observed.A 12″ telescope received light from a gyroscopically controlled heliostat and directed it into a Block Associates rapid scan interferometer. (For details see Reference [2].) The interferometer had a resolution of 5 cm−1. The present spectra are, however, only reduced for a resolution of 8 cm−1 due to limitations in our computer operations.The spectra taken around June 1 are of better quality since Mars was brighter at that time. The CO2 bands at 1.4 μ, 1.6 μ, 2.0 μ, and 2.7 μ all show up very nicely. The isotopic C13 companion band of 003 as well as the ordinary forbidden isotopic band of O16C12O18 (002) can be detected. No water vapor at 1.4 μ or 1.8 μ remains after taking the ratio with the Moon. Some possible trace remains at 2.7 μ. Quantitative analysis as well as reductions of the interferograms to higher resolution are in progress.

The motion of a lunar orbiter

1966 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 373
Author(s):  
Y. Kozai
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Dimensional Space ◽  
Artificial Satellite ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Triaxial Ellipsoid ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Secular Motion ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Close Satellite ◽  
The Mean

The motion of an artificial satellite around the Moon is much more complicated than that around the Earth, since the shape of the Moon is a triaxial ellipsoid and the effect of the Earth on the motion is very important even for a very close satellite.The differential equations of motion of the satellite are written in canonical form of three degrees of freedom with time depending Hamiltonian. By eliminating short-periodic terms depending on the mean longitude of the satellite and by assuming that the Earth is moving on the lunar equator, however, the equations are reduced to those of two degrees of freedom with an energy integral.Since the mean motion of the Earth around the Moon is more rapid than the secular motion of the argument of pericentre of the satellite by a factor of one order, the terms depending on the longitude of the Earth can be eliminated, and the degree of freedom is reduced to one.Then the motion can be discussed by drawing equi-energy curves in two-dimensional space. According to these figures satellites with high inclination have large possibilities of falling down to the lunar surface even if the initial eccentricities are very small.The principal properties of the motion are not changed even if plausible values ofJ3andJ4of the Moon are included.This paper has been published in Publ. astr. Soc.Japan15, 301, 1963.

Laboratory Simulation of Lunar Luminescence

1962 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 441-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Geake ◽  
H. Lipson ◽  
M. D. Lumb
Keyword(s):  
Science And Technology ◽  
Laboratory Simulation ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Physics Department ◽  
Luminescent Spectrum

Work has recently begun in the Physics Department of the Manchester College of Science and Technology on an attempt to simulate lunar luminescence in the laboratory. This programme is running parallel with that of our colleagues in the Manchester University Astronomy Department, who are making observations of the luminescent spectrum of the Moon itself. Our instruments are as yet only partly completed, but we will describe briefly what they are to consist of, in the hope that we may benefit from the comments of others in the same field, and arrange to co-ordinate our work with theirs.

Formation of Lunar Craters and Bright Rays as a Result of Meteorite Impacts

1962 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 415-418
Author(s):  
K. P. Stanyukovich ◽  
V. A. Bronshten
Keyword(s):  
Explosive Charge ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Meteorite Impacts ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Lunar Craters ◽  
The Impact

The phenomena accompanying the impact of large meteorites on the surface of the Moon or of the Earth can be examined on the basis of the theory of explosive phenomena if we assume that, instead of an exploding meteorite moving inside the rock, we have an explosive charge (equivalent in energy), situated at a certain distance under the surface.

The Origin of the Moon

1962 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 149-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. L. Ruskol
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Solar System ◽  
The Moon ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Origin Of The Moon

The difference between average densities of the Moon and Earth was interpreted in the preceding report by Professor H. Urey as indicating a difference in their chemical composition. Therefore, Urey assumes the Moon's formation to have taken place far away from the Earth, under conditions differing substantially from the conditions of Earth's formation. In such a case, the Earth should have captured the Moon. As is admitted by Professor Urey himself, such a capture is a very improbable event. In addition, an assumption that the “lunar” dimensions were representative of protoplanetary bodies in the entire solar system encounters great difficulties.

The Origin of the Moon and its Relationship to the Origin of the Solar System

1962 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 133-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold C. Urey
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
The Moon ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Origin Of The Moon

During the last 10 years, the writer has presented evidence indicating that the Moon was captured by the Earth and that the large collisions with its surface occurred within a surprisingly short period of time. These observations have been a continuous preoccupation during the past years and some explanation that seemed physically possible and reasonably probable has been sought.

A Photographic Map of the Moon

1962 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 113-115
Author(s):  
D. W. G. Arthur ◽  
E. A. Whitaker
Keyword(s):  
Lunar Surface ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Map Projection

The cartography of the lunar surface can be split into two operations which can be carried on quite independently. The first, which is also the most laborious, is the interpretation of the lunar photographs into the symbolism of the map, with the addition of fine details from telescopic sketches. An example of this kind of work is contained in Johann Krieger'sMond Atlaswhich consists of photographic enlargements in which Krieger has sharpened up the detail to accord with his telescopic impressions. Krieger did not go on either to convert the photographic picture into the line symbolism of a map, or to place this picture on any definite map projection.

Probable Structure and Nature of the Formations on the Reverse Side of the Moon According to Photometric Measurements of Lunar Photographs

1962 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
A. V. Markov
Keyword(s):  
The Moon ◽  
Probable Structure ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Interplanetary Station ◽  
Photometric Measurements ◽  
Automatic Interplanetary Station

Notwithstanding the fact that a number of defects and distortions, introduced in transmission of the images of the latter to the Earth, mar the negatives of the reverse side of the Moon, indirectly obtained on 7 October 1959 by the automatic interplanetary station (AIS), it was possible to use the photometric measurements of the secondary (terrestrial) positives of the reverse side of the Moon in the experiment of the first comparison of the characteristics of the surfaces of the visible and invisible hemispheres of the Moon.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document