SMART-1: Travel maps of the lunar north pole (Forwarded)

ESA News
http://www.esa.int

5 December 2007

SMART-1: Travel maps of the lunar north pole

A new map obtained with SMART-1 data shows the geography and illumination
of the lunar north pole. Such maps will be of great use for future lunar
explorers.

The lunar poles are very interesting for future science and exploration of
the Moon mainly because of their exposure to sunlight. They display areas
of quasi-eternal light, have a stable thermal environment and are close to
dark areas that could host water ice -- potential future lunar base sites.

The SMART-1 north pole map, covering an area of about 800 by 600 km, shows
geographical locations of some craters of interest. Peary is a large
impact crater closest to the north pole. At this latitude the interior of
the crater receives little sunlight, but SMART-1 was able to observe it
during phases when the crater floor was sufficiently illuminated for
imaging.

A previous lunar mission, the U.S. Clementine, observed the Peary crater
during the north summer, and identified some areas particularly
illuminated by the sun in that season. With its Advanced Moon Imaging
Experiment (AMIE) micro-camera, SMART-1 has complemented this data set by
identifying the areas that are also well-illuminated during northern
winter.

"Solar illumination makes these areas ideal for robotic outposts or lunar
bases making use of solar power," says ESA's SMART-1 Project Scientist,
Bernard Foing.

Hermite is another lunar impact crater located along the northern lunar
limb, close to the north pole of the Moon. Looking from Earth, it is
viewed nearly from the side, illuminated by oblique sunlight.

Crater Plaskett is located on the northern far-side of the Moon, about 200
km from the north pole. It receives sunlight at a low angle. Because of
the isolation of this crater and its location near the lunar limb, it has
been suggested as a possible additional site of a future lunar base that
could be used to simulate isolated conditions during a manned mission to
Mars.

"From the crater rim, rovers could be sent out to explore nearby craters
which are permanently in shadow and may contain water ice. If the layers
of ice come from the volatiles deposited by comets and water-rich
asteroids, we could better understand how, and how much, water and organic
material was delivered to Earth over its history," said Foing.

Notes for editors:

These images were analysed in the framework of a study project for the
design and operations of lunar polar robotic landers and rovers, by Marina
Ellouzi, a Master's student in space engineering at the Paris-Meudon
Observatory. The polar mosaics were presented and discussed at the 9th
ILEWG International lunar conference in October 2007.

For more information:

Bernard Foing, ESA SMART-1 Project Scientist
Email: Bernard.Foing @ esa.int

Jean-Luc Josset, SMART-1 AMIE Principal Investigator
Space-X Space Exploration Institute
Email: Jean-Luc.Josset @ space-x.ch

[NOTE: Images supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMMH029R9F_index_1.html ]


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