Image: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's view of Tycho central peak

Image: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's view of Tycho central peak
Credit: NASA/Goddard/Arizona State University

(Phys.org) —Today, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) celebrates its fifth anniversary in space. LRO launched from Florida on June 18, 2009. After a four-day journey, the orbiter successfully entered lunar orbit on June 23. In the succeeding five years, LRO has continued to shape our view of our nearest celestial neighbor.

LRO data has shown us the tracks and equipment left behind from the Apollo astronauts, created the most precise map of the lunar surface, discovered the coldest known temperatures in the solar system, mapped the distribution of hydrogen and possibly water mixed in the lunar soil, identified craters and many other exciting science discoveries

In honor of the , the LRO project kicked off the Moon as Art Campaign. The public was asked to select a favorite orbiter image of the moon for the cover of a special image collection. After two weeks of voting, the public has selected this image of Tycho Central Peak as its favorite moon image. The stunningly beautiful Tycho Central Peak rests inside an impact crater and has a boulder over 100 meters wide (about 328 feet) at its summit. It showcases a breathtaking view of the lunar landscape.

Tycho crater's central peak complex, shown here, is about 9.3 miles (15 km) wide, left to right (southeast to northwest in this view). A very popular target with amateur astronomers, Tycho is about 51 miles (82 km) in diameter. The central peak's summit is 1.24 miles (2 km) above the crater floor.

Provided by NASA

Citation: Image: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's view of Tycho central peak (2014, June 19) retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2014-06-image-lunar-reconnaissance-orbiter-view.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Sunrise view of Tycho crater's peak

0 shares

Feedback to editors