The observations
Jean Nicolini Municipal Observatory, in Campinas, Brazil. Partner of the Project.
Beyond being able to help simulating and understanding the processes that occur in temporary natural impacts, the observation of a collision in dry soil conditions can be used as experience for controlling to a future impact aiming the diagnosis of the polar ice of the Moon.
The interest for the contribution of large telescopes from the Earth in this project lies in its easiness for collecting a great number of photons in angular resolutions lower than 0,4 second of arch or still in the use of its adaptive optic system for the detection of the flash of the impact, making possible the observation of the structure of the ejected materials and its dynamics, or yet some traces and dynamics of gas clouds of the hydrazine with a resolution lower than 100 meters.
The works in land aim the capturing of infrared images of the evolution of the thermal flash and the observation under Earthshine and under solar light - either at visible conditions or at infrared - of the speed and the dynamics of unfastened clouds of dust, as well as the spectroscopic features of this material, which may generate improvements in the understanding of other processes, such as the degree of hollowing and the effects related to the gravitational force.
The spectral distribution of the energy and the comparative observations of the reflectance of the dust can supply quantitative features such as the mineral composition, the porosity, cristallinity and the distribution and analysis of the thin layers (until a meter of depth) of the lunar surface. These upper layers, exposed to cosmic rays and to solar particles, are modified in such a way that they weaken their mineral signature when spectroscopic analyses are carried out.
The observations in infrared, in particular the infrared range from 2-20 microns, would allow a constraint on the present lunar minerals (pyroxene, olivine) on the main aims, which would complement the SMART-1 diagnostics - high resolution multicolor camera (lower than 40 m/píxel) AMIE used in the band of 0.95 micron of the pyroxene and spectrometry infrared – SIR, on 0.9-2.5 microns band. A special care is needed for limiting and correcting the light that comes from the illuminated part of the half moon, beyond the 60 seconds of arc in the east of the terminator.
The observations in infrared, in particular the infrared range from 2-20 microns, would allow a constraint on the present lunar minerals (pyroxene, olivine) on the main aims, which would complement the SMART-1 diagnostics - high resolution multicolor camera (lower than 40 m/píxel) AMIE used in the band of 0.95 micron of the pyroxene and spectrometry infrared – SIR, on 0.9-2.5 microns band. A special care is needed for limiting and correcting the light that comes from the illuminated part of the half moon, beyond the 60 seconds of arc in the east of the terminator.
After a short lasting thermal flash, there might be a remaining increase of the temperature of the lunar soil, which reaches about -173°C (100ºK) at night. The cooling can be monitored by some hours through the thermal images in infrared.
The impact will not be visible at naked eye.It is expected that the dust cloud generated by the impact might be visible (with telescopes) during some minutes.
It is difficult to estimate precisely the reflexibility, the size of particles (therefore normalized by area) and the amount of the ejected material. It is probable, however, that this cloud may have a lower visual magnitude or yet higher than the one initially calculated. Because of this, we insist that the amateur astronomers join and carry out observations of the event.
The dry air during the time and in the observation spot, of course, will collaborate to the recording of the occurrences after the impact. The humid air which disperses the brightness of the Moon (moonlight), which increases extremely the brightness of the sky, will make it difficult to see the dust cloud raised during the event.
It is difficult to estimate precisely the reflexibility, the size of particles (therefore normalized by area) and the amount of the ejected material. It is probable, however, that this cloud may have a lower visual magnitude or yet higher than the one initially calculated. Because of this, we insist that the amateur astronomers join and carry out observations of the event.
The dry air during the time and in the observation spot, of course, will collaborate to the recording of the occurrences after the impact. The humid air which disperses the brightness of the Moon (moonlight), which increases extremely the brightness of the sky, will make it difficult to see the dust cloud raised during the event.
The use of webcams will be extremely useful.By allowing the recording of hundreds of images in a short space of time, frame-by-frame occurrences can be detected, and the weak details can be enhanced to improve its visualization.
The observers who will pursue the ejected material in the Earthshine or under solar light through the images in high resolution at visible light or with the use of filters, through CCD or video, should not forget that, due to the brevity of the event, that the images must have accurate the time and place of the event inserted on the frames in order for having any scientific value.
It is also requested that from now on, in order to be used later as evidence – after the impact and after the falling of the ejected materials, possible changes of colors, topography or other new characteristics - high resolution images of the points of impact in different lunar phases (angles of observation and illumination) are captured with or without the use of filters.
In Brazil, the Lunar Section of Astronomia Observacional's Net-REA http://www.reabrasil.org/lunar/, is developing and coordinating a nationwide observation project named SL/REA SMART-1 Lunar Impact Project http://www.reabrasil.org/lunar/smart1impact.htm which is coordinated by Ms. Rosely Gregio - rgregio@uol.com.br Chief Coordinator of the Lunar Section, Mr. José Serrano Agustoni - agustoni@yahoo.com Manager of Lunar Impact Projects and Mr. Valmir Martins de Morais - valmirmmorais@yahoo.com.br Member of the Team of Observers of the SL/REABr (Lunar Section - REA-BRASIL) and of the international campaign Moon SMART Impact: Predictions and Observation Campaign that Juan also counts in its rows with the observing Brazilian Miguel Hodar Muñoz - Manager for the Project Lunar Topography of the SL/REABr.
Campaign SL/Lunar REA SMART-1 Impact Project will coordinate and collect all the data, comments and images preliminary and gotten of the event for the observers in the country and will directly send they for study and analysis to the general coordination of Moon SMART Impact: Predictions and Observation Campaing - ESA Scientific - SMART-1 under the responsibility of the Dr. Bernard H. Foing, e, from it, for several other interested scientific institutions.
These data will have to also be inserted in the site of the national project and will be the disposal of the researchers and centers of research.
The Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers- ALPO is, at the moment, developing a program called ALPO Smart Impact Project - http://www.zone-vx.com/alpo-smartimpact.html .
Its coordinator, Mr. Brian Cudnik - cudnik@sbcglobal.net , will compile and submit to the ESA, the preliminary and the captured observations of the event for the lunar observers of this project. The Website maintenance: William M. Demboswki, FRAS - mailto:mdembowski@zone-vx.com
Its coordinator, Mr. Brian Cudnik - cudnik@sbcglobal.net , will compile and submit to the ESA, the preliminary and the captured observations of the event for the lunar observers of this project. The Website maintenance: William M. Demboswki, FRAS - mailto:mdembowski@zone-vx.com
Let’s remember that: " Astronomy is contribution ". Words of Júlio Lobo
posted by Seção Lunar REA - Brasil at 7:25 PM
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