Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Japan Moon Probe Snaps First Photos

Posted by samzenpus on from the space-godzilla dept.

mrcgran writes "Space.com reports, "Almost one month after Japan's successful launch of the Kaguya lunar probe, the unmanned observatory has begun its first major activities in orbit around the moon. In addition to snapping its first lunar images, the probe jettisoned one of two 110-pound (50-kilogram) "baby" satellites that will help create a detailed gravity map of the moon." The major objectives of the "KAGUYA" mission are to obtain scientific data of the lunar origin and evolution and to develop the technology for the future lunar exploration. "KAGUYA" consists of a main orbiting satellite at about 100km altitude and two small satellites (Relay Satellite and VRAD Satellite) in polar orbit."

5 of 184 comments (clear)

  1. Prettier webpage by Sentri · · Score: 4, Informative

    More user friendly version here: http://www.selene.jaxa.jp/index_e.htm

    --
    Can't we all just get along
    1. Re:Prettier webpage by Karthikkito · · Score: 4, Informative

      There's a high res camera -- this one is just meant to observe the antenna that's right in the middle of every shot (make sure it's oriented fine, etc, in the event of communications troubles). Just happens that the moon is in the FOV.

  2. Re:Hey! Down in front! by phantomcircuit · · Score: 3, Informative

    The camera is to observe the high gain antenna, not to take pictures of the moon.

  3. Kaguya Hime by Bonker · · Score: 4, Informative

    Princess Kaguya is the traditional main character in The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. She's something of a Japanese 'Tom Thumb'.

    Kaguya is a golden-haired princess sent to the Earth from her Moon kingdom to learn about the joys and sadness of life. In various versions of the tale, she's required to return to the moon once she reaches adulthood.

    Anime fans will note that the 'Moon Princess' motif is used repeatedly in modern stories, such as 'Sailor Moon', 'Mammotte Syugogetten' and more recently, 'Oh, Edo Rocket!'.

    --
    The next Slashdot story will be ready soon, but subscribers can beat the rush and slashdot the links early!
  4. Re:Hey! Down in front! by achurch · · Score: 3, Informative

    Don't worry; Kaguya has a better camera, too.