The European Smart 1 Satellite crashed on the moon early Sunday. Does anyone know if it created a visible crater or altered the moonscape? Or did a tree just fall in the woods?
2006-09-05 18:52:36 · 2 answers · asked by im2wutim 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It is estimated to have left a crater 16-33 feet in diameter according to a news article I saw.
2006-09-05 19:14:31 · answer #1 · answered by Demiurge42 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Given that it was a light probe; it was an addition to a launch that was set up to carry up two large satellites, it wasn't going to be big enough to make much of a hole. All the observers were hoping for was hitting a spot that would send up a plume of material from the impact. This they got and given the lack of climate up there the hole will last a very long time. It just is not that big at a bit over 600 pounds. They expected a hole in the range of 15 to 30 feet but the object was to maybe get to examine the ejecta which might contain water.
2006-09-06 02:43:14 · answer #2 · answered by Draken 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋