Some updates about Chandrayaan-1:

1. The Terrain Mapping Camera ( TMC ) , one of 11 payloads on board Chandrayaan,has been capturing images of the Moon since November 13 from a height of 100 km from the lunar surface. They will be processed by Monday,17th.

2.On Sunday , The Hyper Spectral Imager (HySI) would be switched on. It would create a mineralogical map of the lunar surface

3. The MIP, ( 2 images of which have been published ) is not really a video camera. It is a still picture camera clicking at high speed. It has actually returned about 15,000 images over the course of the 25-minute descent. This may be converted to a slow framed video later.


http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/16/stories/2008111656370800.htm

Lunar Laser Ranging Instrument ( LLRI ) was switched ON when the spacecraft was passing over western part of the moon’s visible hemisphere.

New images published here:

http://www.isro.org/pslv-c11/photos/moon_images.htm

I am really impressed. 15,000 images from the MIP...wow. Between Chandrayaan-1, LRO, Kayuga, and Chang'e-1, this is getting fun.

http://www.zeenews.com/newspapers/2008-11-14/483333news.html


More on the impact target point, suggesting some uncertainty.

Phil

You know, it was impressive when Chang'e and Kaguya both worked exactly as designed, no major malfunctions or problems. But for Chandrayan-1, with a much more challenging early mission profile (delivering an impact probe, relaying its information perfectly, and the impact probe itself working perfectly), and doing this all for the first time with no issues to speak of -- that is very, very impressive.

Hats off to all of our new partners in crime!

-the other Doug

Considering that the chandrayaan carries one the highest resolution cameras ever to image the lunar surface, it would be fun if any of the apollo hardware or other the lunakhod rovers are pictured.

5m/pixel isn't going to do anything amazing for surface hardware, except with long shadows. We've got 50cm/pixel coming next year anyway.

Doug

We may have chance to see blast zones.'

Most people ask this question with hope that images will convince the hoax believers. No, these images won't convince them - they will always say that the images are doctored.

Depressing, but true. I sometimes wonder if those people are truly sub-human.

What they are, is unworthy of discussion at UMSF. Move on.

You're right. I apologize.

When do these 15000 images start? Is it from right after release of the probe all the way to impact?

My understanding is that they cover a strip from near the equator down to the impact point.

Phil

I was trying to line up the equatorial image with an LO image for context, but am having trouble. The caption to the equatorial image said " On the lower left, part of the Torricelli crater is seen. " Here's an LO image including Torricelli (and here's the referring page). The difference in lighting angle is confusing me, I think. Can anybody match it?

--Emily

Emily - check out this map:

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/resources/mapcatal...ac78/150dpi.jpg

and look for the crater Torricelli C, NW of Torricelli itself at 2.5 S, 26 E. That's the crater, not Torricelli itself. The proof comes from comparing it with this better version of your LO4 image:

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/resources/lunarorb...int/4077_h3.jpg


Phil