Librating Moon [HD Video]

[tabatha]

Librating Moon
NASA image release June 14, 2011

During the June 2011 lunar eclipse, scientists will be able to get a unique view of the moon. While the sun is blocked by the Earth, LRO's Diviner instrument will take the temperature on the lunar surface. Since different rock sizes cool at different rates, scientists will be able to infer the size and density of rocks on the moon.

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/5833424723/in/photostream
(video)

Eclipse as Viewed From the Moon
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/5833423747/in/photostream/
(video)

[TheMadMonk]

1. Well, vid 1 was in fact a LIBRATING moon. So why text about an eclipse?

Libration, is the result of the moon's fixed rotational speed combined with its not quite circular orbit.

Orbiting bodies move faster when closer to the body they orbit, and slower when further away.

As a result when the moon is in the half of its orbut closest to the earth, it appears to under-rotate from our viewpoint, giving us a look "around the corner" to about 5% of the far side of the moon. in the half of it's orbit furthers from the Earth, it appears to over-rotate, giving us a glimpse of another 5% on the other side.

[tabatha]

2. Sorry, it was two posts in one.

I have been doing multiple topics in posts recently.

[TheMadMonk]

3. Not your error. The text appears on the video page too.

Starting to wonder if the best thing we can do for the universe is not leave the planet.