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Posted by baalke on August 3, 2007, 7:16 pm
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Aug. 3, 2007
Grey Hautaluoma
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0668
grey.hautaluoma-1@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 07-169
NASA SELECTS ASTROPHYSICS PROJECTS FOR NEW SCIENCE ON THE MOON
WASHINGTON -- NASA has selected four proposals focusing on
astrophysics priorities in lunar science to facilitate the nation's
exploration program. The proposed studies are part of a NASA effort
to develop new opportunities to conduct important science
investigations during the planned renewal of human exploration of the
moon.
The newly-announced proposals for concept studies may lead to
experiments placed on the moon that would allow for unprecedented
tests of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, instruments to
probe the early evolution of structure in the universe, and
observation of X-rays produced by the charged particles the sun
emits, known as the solar wind. Instruments based on these concept
studies also would provide unique information on the interior
structure of the moon and on Earth-moon interactions.
"We're very excited by the proposals the scientific community sent us
to advance lunar science through astrophysics," said Alan Stern,
associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate,
Washington. "The moon figures prominently in NASA's exploration
goals, and these projects each give us a way to expand our knowledge
of the moon and our universe on a greater scale."
Two concept studies propose to place suitcase-sized instruments at
various locations on the moon so the distance from the Earth to the
moon can be determined to the submillimeter level. These observations
will yield a wealth of science, including precision tests of general
relativity and greater understanding of the structure of the moon and
Earth-moon interactions. The proposals are:
-- "A Lunar Laser Ranging Array for the 21st Century" from the
University of Maryland at College Park. Douglas Currie is Principal
Investigator.
-- "Precision Lunar Laser Ranging" from NASA's Goddard Space Flight
Center in Greenbelt, Md. Stephen Merkowitz is Principal Investigator.
A third concept study proposes to place a small radio telescope array
on the moon to study particle acceleration in celestial objects such
as supernovae, quasars and the solar corona. It also will serve as a
pathfinder for a future possible radio telescope to measure the
growth of structure in the early universe. The study is "Radio
Observatory for Lunar Sortie Science" from the Naval Research
Laboratory in Washington. Joseph Lazio is Principal Investigator.
The fourth project will measure X-ray emissions caused by the solar
wind and its interactions with Earth's magnetosphere. It also will
help improve future measurements of low-energy X-ray emission from
our galaxy. "Lunar-Based Soft X-ray Science" is the study from
Goddard. Michael Collier is Principal Investigator.
Details on NASA's lunar research programs are available at:
http://www.nasa.gov/exploration
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