The first images in the process of mapping the surface of the Moon

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LROC) camera captures and retrieves the first images of the Moon, beginning with the task of mapping the surface of the closest planet Earth.

The LROC camera system works under the close supervision of Professor Mark Robison, Arizona State University official and team leader. This system consists of two Narrow Angle Cameras (NAC) providing high resolution black and white images, a Wide Angle Camera (WAC) providing color images, and a Sequence system. and Compressor System (SCS) supports data collection for both types of cameras.

NASA reports that the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, launched June 18, is currently operating at its best, and the ship's inspection is going smoothly, so much so that people only have to proceed. twice the temperature and other environmental values ​​on Tuesday night. Most areas were photographed in the dark, but according to Dr. Robinson, this turned out to be an advantage for conducting camera inspection. To the delight of the astronauts on the LOR, the camera captured some images that impressed the surface of the Moon.

'Our first images were taken along the Moon's dividing line between day and night, and we were not sure at first what the image would look like,' Robinson said. 'Due to the dense darkness, sophisticated terrain measurements are exaggerated to the fullest, revealing a jagged surface and not' hospitable '. In fact, this area is similar to where Apollo astronauts discovered in 1972.

LROC NAC Camera: Two details from one of the first images

The LRO operates 70 km from the lunar surface when the overall picture is taken, with a resolution of about 1.4 m / pixel (34.4 ° N, 6.0 ° T). The strangeness of detail can be seen in two cutouts (1000 pixels x 1000 pixels) from the full image (2532 pixels x 53,248 pixels). The obtained NAC data has no sizing level, and pixel values ​​are spread out to enhance the sharpness.

Along the dividing line of the moon there is very little light, and as a result, the device on the LRO has a signal indicator on noise (SNR - signal-to-noise ratio, indicating the relative strength of the signal compared to the background noise in the ND-data transmission channel, as explained by PCWorld Vietnam, is close to reaching the positive point. In order to compensate for low light levels, pixel images can be effectively enlarged by combining adjacent image points to increase the signal index on SNR noise, making the image clearer even if resolution halved. With this resolution, objects as small as 3m can be clearly seen.

The maximum resolution details are taken from one of the first images taken by a narrow-angle camera (NAC), part of the camera system of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. On the picture are characteristic lines, which may be the remnant of the deposition of projectiles from a nearby agent. Older craters appear to have been worn out, while the young crater is sharp and 'crunchy'. The width of this image is 1,400 km, the North head turns down. (Photo: NASA / GSFC / Arizona State University)

The image from the NAC clearly shows a beautiful area a few kilometers east of Hell E. A lot of small holes can be identified, including small chains of connecting holes. In addition, it is also possible to see characteristic lines visible in the light, indicating the objects emitted from a certain effect in the vicinity. The quality of these test images allows scientists on the LRO to be confident that their cameras will achieve the main goal, which includes getting the necessary data to support exploration and use. Use the moon later.

Once the LRO has completed putting its equipment into operation and entering its 50 km x 50 km orbit drawing, a rehearsal will be conducted in mid-August according to schedule, the NAC will take a picture of 8% of the Moon's surface with a resolution of 50cm / pixel.

LROC WAC Camera: The color of the moon

WAC of LROC displays images very different from NAC. WAC observes the surface of the moon with 7 colors, this color follows the other color. Looking at the raw images will feel like looking through the shutter - slightly confusing at first.

The WAC camera is designed to place super-high resolution images from the NAC into its geographic location, as well as various color blocks on the surface that help geographers map the rocks. and identify their origin. WAC needs to be captured at the same time as the NAC, so at the same time a region will be taken more space by WAC because WAC has 20 times more visibility than the NAC despite its lower resolution. To make it easier to imagine, the NAC image width is fixed as two vertical columns in the middle of the image; while the WAC image is not calibrated in advance, the value of the pixel will be spread out to enhance the contrast.

According to the schedule, LROC will begin operations on July 3. The LROC Science Operations Center intends to quickly publish moon surface images as more data is collected and processed.

LRO will devote the next year to gathering important environmental data on the moon, helping astronauts prepare for exploring the moon and continuing to explore Mars and other planets after the journey. Earth - The moon is complete.