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Science Asia, Australia may see Kaguya and Moon crash
Science Asia, Australia may see Kaguya and Moon crash | Asia, Australia may see Kaguya and Moon crash |
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| by William Atkins | |
| Thursday, 11 June 2009 | |
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Science DiscussionsThe Kaguya spacecraft, also known by the name SELENE (Selenological and Engineering Explorer) was launched at 10:31:01 a.m. Japanese Standard Time (JST) on September 14, 2007, from the Tanegashima Space Center. The word Kaguya comes from the name of a lunar princess in Japanese folklore, specifically in the story “Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.” The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) spacecraft called Kaguya will be traveling at a speed of about 6,000 kilometers (3,730 miles) per hour when it makes a controlled impact on the lunar surface at its southeastern limb. According to the JAXA Web site, the expected impact location will be on the near-side, night-time area of the Moon at: East longitude of 80.4 degrees (E80.4); South latitude of 65.5 degrees (S65.5). The southern hemisphere impact zone is near the Gill crater, which is southwest of the Mare Australe and the Helmholtz crater, and southeast of the Pontecoulant crater. A map is provided on the JAXA site. With a mass of approximately 2,600 kilograms (5,730 pounds), scientists are saying that a bright flash or a debris plume "may" be seen by observers using telescopes. They are unsure exactly of the magnitude of the flash or plume, or even if one will be seen on Earth. Page two concludes with a time conversion to your local time, along with other information on the impact event. |
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