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I’m attending the NASA Lunar Science Institute’s Lunar Forum at Ames Research Center in California, which will feature sessions on recent scientific results as well as talks on future opportunities for lunar science, education and outreach. Notably, there will be new results from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, LCROSS and more. If you’d like to know more about the Forum, I did a 365 Days of Astronomy podcast for NLSI to preview some of the highlights of the Forum, and talked with with Greg Schmidt, the Deputy Director of the NASA Lunar Science Institute, and Doris Daou, the Institute’s Director for Education and Public Outreach.
Click here to download the podcast (or listen on the little embedded player at the bottom of this post).
Or see the 365 Days of Astronomy webpage here.
I’ll try to report as much news as I can, although my real mission here is to interview the lunar scientists for more NLSI/365 Days podcasts.
It’s fitting that the Lunar Forum is held this week: Forty-one years ago today, one of the most important events in American history unfolded on the surface of the Moon as the Apollo 11 lunar module, the Eagle, settled down on the landing site, Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility) at 00.67408 °N latitude, 23.47297 °E longitude. That’s an image of the Apollo 11 landing site above, as seen by LRO. So, happy Giant Leap Day!
An IVAN3MAN correction: 5th paragraph, 2nd row: it’s spelled “history of the World”, not “American history”.
“American History” is more accurate; however, there would be nothing wrong if “World History” was used instead.
Thanks Nancy! The NASA Lunar Science Institute’s ‘Lunar Forum’ sounds so cool! Lots of news in the pipeline! Dang… I wish I could make it to the public event? Hmmm …?? I yam sure you will bring us all the goodies you can! I for one, can’t wait to hear about your trip! Sounds fun!
Of special interest to me are the finding of water on the moon, elemental nucleosynthesis due to solar induced ion sputtering (lunar atmospherics), lunar volcanic lava tubes, surface element composition, LCROS findings, ongoing LRO science, the prospect of a lunar based radio telescope(s), etc., etc., etc… plus any old incidental science you may come across! WDEGC! (Way Double Extra Groovy Cool!)