Hey, Space Placers!
Artist’s animation of a rocket booster crashing into the moon.
Credit: Scitechdaily.com
It won't be visible from Earth as it occurs on the far side of the Moon. But, it will be possible to LOOK for the crater it causes using a spacecraft in lunar orbit - Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO).
About two weeks after impact lighting conditions on the Moon will allow LRO to start looking for the expected 30-100 foot wide crater. LRO is real good at finding new craters because it has been photographing and studying the Moon since 2009.
Every new crater discovered gives us insight into the Moon's surface and a glimpse of what lies underneath. Simply stated we learn from what we see. This is important for lunar science as well as humanity's return to the Moon within the coming years.
I will be following this story and will update it.
Sky Guy in VA
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