SUMMARY

NASA has a program dedicated to monitoring the Moon as part of the NASA Vision for Space Exploration and future human missions to the Moon.  The Space Science Lab students will contribute to this effort by utilizing a robotic telescope at PARI to image the Moon and analyze the data searching for lunar impacts

Additionally, students will construct their own telescope that they keep and use to continue their observations and experiments while at home and as part of continuing school-related projects.  They have continuing Internet access to the PARI telescope with follow-up sessions throughout the school year.  There are two one-week sessions each summer, 15 students per week, involving a total of 30 students per year. The program is free to students.

In More Detail

The SSL scholars learn fundamental science concepts and use critical thinking skills to study variations in the Moon’s geology by observing lunar impacts by meteors.  Below is are two images of the Moon, the second image showing the Moon being hit by a meteor.

Currently, the number of lunar impacts per year is uncertain. The image below shows lunar impacts observed between 2005 and 2008.  More than 90 had been detected during that time.

 NASA’s Vision for Space Exploration plans for extended astronaut stays on the Moon. NASA equipment on the Moon, such as spacecraft, habitats, robots, and spacesuits, are open to the lunar environment; accurate lunar impact data is needed.

SSL Scholars’ contribute this NASA effort called the Lunar Impact Monitoring Program led by scientists at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).  SSL Scholars enjoy the excitement of observing and measuring lunar phenomena as it occurs, and share that data with NASA scientists. As part of this collaboration, students will particiapte in videoconferences with the NASA MSFC lunar impact team.

The experience of the students is greatly enhanced when they build their own 7 cm optical telescope and attach a digital camera. They keep the telescope and camera.  The students will produce snapshot views of the Moon as a function of time. By the time they have completed their one week research experience at PARI, the students will be prepared and encouraged to continue their observations throughout the school year.

Image of the Moon taken by a Space Science Lab Scholar with her telescope.

We plan follow-up sessions during the Moon’s first quarter phase. These meetings will take place in three formats: videoconference, teleconference, and on-site at PARI. Students may choose the format that suits them best. While at each session, we will all have our telescopes pointed at the Moon, observing and imaging the Moon. We will share the visual observations and images and talk about what we have observed.

Students will live at PARI - an image of the Campus is shown below.