
MISSION STATEMENT FROM NASA:
Current meteoroid models indicate that the moon is struck by a meteoroid with a mass greater than 1 kg (2 lbs) over 260 times per year. This number is very uncertain, however, as observations for objects in this mass range are embarrassingly few -- a single fireball survey conducted by Canadian researchers from 1971 to 1985. Factors of several, higher or lower, are easily possible. Indeed recent lunar observations by a Spanish team seem to indicate that the rate of impacts is about two times higher. This too is quite uncertain, being based on observations of only 3 impacts. Clearly more observations are needed if we are to establish the rate of large meteoroids impacting the moon.
Why it is important: U.S. Space Exploration Policy eventually calls for extended astronaut stays on the lunar surface. Spacecraft, vehicles, habitats, and EVA suits must all be designed to withstand the stresses posed by the harsh lunar environment over this period of time. Meteoroids, and the ejecta produced when they create impact craters, are part of this environment.
LIST OF ALL NASA RECORDED LUNAR IMPACTS
LATEST UPDATES 12/27/2010 NEW FLASH 10/22/2009 2:08:45 UT GEOSYNCHRONOUS SATELLITE TRANSITS THE MOON * 12/14/2010 Single Frame Flash- most likely noise * 12/14/2010 UT NASA # 8 - 03:33:38 Possible Impact awaiting conformation * 12/14/2010 NASA #9 - 04:08:31 Possible Impact awaiting conformation
08/09/2008 IMPACT FLASH 4:06 22:12
UPDATED 06/30/2010
DOWN LOADABLE IMPACT RECORDING CHART 6/18/2010 IMAGING RUN UPDATED 7/7/2010 FILM ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY-BIG FILES LONG LOAD TIME Lunar Meteoroid Impacts and How to Observe Them
~ Brian Cudnik LIST OF METEOR SHOWERS - FROM SAGUARO ASTRONOMY CLUB NASA LUNAR METEOROID WEB SITE - A.L.P.O. LUNAR METEOROID SITE YAHOO GROUPS LUNAR IMPACT - LUNAR RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER KAGUYA IMAGE GALLERY - MOON FOUNTAINS LPOD LUNAR PHOTO OF THE DAY - LUNAR NEWS NETWORK SCIENCE @ NASA IMPACT STORY - SCIENCE @ NASA IMPACT STORY AUDIO VERSION GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY ZEISS 12" TELESCOPE GALLERY PERSEID PATROL 2008
08/09/2008
FLASH 4:06 22:12 UT
MOON DATA FOR 1 DAY MONROVIA - AZUSA CA.


