Japan's Kaguya lunar orbiter

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robert page







PostPosted: June 12, 2009 5:28 PM 

On June 10 the Japanese probe named the Kaguya lunar orbiter was purposefully crash landed on the moon's surface.

[link]

The Anglo-Australian Telescope captured images showing a bright flash at the time of impact.

My question is:
What was the bright flash composed of?

Was it simply a could of moon dust thrown up upon impact and if so why was it just a brief flash instead of lingering for a few moments.

or

Was the bright flash the result of the 3 ton probe impacting the surface at 4,000 to 6,000 mph and generating heat and light as the forward momentum was converted to friction and energy.

John


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PostPosted: June 14, 2009 3:10 AM 

Meebee oxidizers and propellants????? POOF!!!!!

vk3ukf


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PostPosted: June 15, 2009 7:28 AM 

That's what I was thinking, there is also a bit of afterglow visible so several seconds of observing have imaged perhaps the expanding debris cloud.

rpage


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PostPosted: July 6, 2009 11:36 PM 

Yes, that's a good point. there should be enough oxygen in the propellants to ignite given enough friction.

I was wondering if anyone happens to know if that area (of the crash) has been re-imaged (by lunar orbiters) or photgraphed through a telescope recently?

The area of the impact is now completely lighted (full moon).




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