Stardust's (mostly) clear Moon image
Posted: Fri, Jan 19, 2001, 12:41 AM ET (0541 GMT)
NASA released Thursday an image of the Moon taken by the Stardust spacecraft during its Earth flyby earlier this week. The image was trumpeted as a success of efforts to remove contamination from the spacecraft's camera; however, the image did show some "halo" effects caused by residual contaminants on the camera's optics. Project officials believe the camera will still be able to fill its primary role as a navigation instrument as well as meet its science goals when the spacecraft flies by comet Wild-2 in January 2004. "We will see the size and shape of the comet and be able to detect small craters, variations in the brightness, dirty dusty areas, and newly iced surfaces," project manager Tom Duxbury said.
NASA released Thursday an image of the Moon taken by the Stardust spacecraft during its Earth flyby earlier this week. The image was trumpeted as a success of efforts to remove contamination from the spacecraft's camera; however, the image did show some "halo" effects caused by residual contaminants on the camera's optics. Project officials believe the camera will still be able to fill its primary role as a navigation instrument as well as meet its science goals when the spacecraft flies by comet Wild-2 in January 2004. "We will see the size and shape of the comet and be able to detect small craters, variations in the brightness, dirty dusty areas, and newly iced surfaces," project manager Tom Duxbury said.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, July 19
Dark matter could resonate through a hidden fifth dimension, new theory proposes
Univ. of Sheffield — 5:46 pm ET (2146 GMT) India’s INR1,600 Crore Sovereign Space Fund, Antariksh Venture Capital Fund, Makes Inaugural Investment in Dhruva Space
Dhruva Space — 5:46 pm ET (2146 GMT) The Honorable Christopher J. Scolese departs the National Reconnaissance Office after seven years of distinguished leadership
NRO — 5:39 pm ET (2139 GMT) Lunar Outpost Europe Joins Moonraker Lunar Mapping Mission for ESA
GlobeNewswire — 5:37 pm ET (2137 GMT) International conference brings space specialists to Santa Maria
Portuguese Space Agency — 5:34 pm ET (2134 GMT) |
