2006-10-15 16:00:15 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The resolving power of Hubble isn't strong enough. The equipment would just appear as a dot.
For an object the size of a lunar module to be spotted on the moon from Hubble's viewpoint, you would need a resolution of 0.002 arc sec.
Hubble has a maximum resolution of 0.03 arc seconds, so it would need 1.5 times the resolving power it currently has to make out a shape of the landing modules.
Here is a picture Hubble took, focused on the Apollo 17 landing site.
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/solarsystem/hubble_moon.html
some more hubble moon shots
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/newsdesk/archive/releases/1999/14/image/a
2006-10-15 16:08:32 · answer #1 · answered by polloloco.rb67 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Polloloco almost got it right, but they took a wrong turn just before the right answer was derived. The necessary resolution needed to see the remnants left by the moon landings is 0.002 arc-sec. The Hubble resolves to 0.03 arc-sec. So Hubble needs to have 0.03 /0.002 greater resolving power equals 15 times greater resolution. So the Hubble Telescope mirror which has a 90 inch diameter would have to be 1350 inches or 113 feet in diameter to see the remnants? Furthermore the present Hubble which is 43.5 feet long if scaled up would have to be over 2 football fields long!
2006-10-16 00:22:59 · answer #2 · answered by litesong1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a good telescope, but taking a picture of a candy bar wrapper 220,000 miles away is asking a little too much of it.
2006-10-16 09:21:30 · answer #3 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
probably because of the minimal focusing distance...meaning the moon may be too close
2006-10-15 23:02:26 · answer #4 · answered by t_roy_e 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It could, but the conspiracy nuts will claim the pics are fakes too.
2006-10-15 23:02:00 · answer #5 · answered by Pseudo Obscure 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋