Hubble Space Telescope Looks at the Moon to Prospect for Resources (Aristarchus Crater - gray)

  • Released Tuesday, October 18, 2005
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My edit: The Hubble Space Telescope was used to gather high resolution multi spectral data of the moon's Aristarchus Crater in order to investigate the possibility of potential oxygen producing minerals on the surface. Identifying such minerals could aid in planning future sustained human missions on the moon. Initial analysis of the data indicate the likely presence of titanium and iron oxides. Both these minerals could be used as oxygen sources essential for human exploration.

This visualization starts with a view of the moon as seen from Earth using a USGS Apollo derived artist rendered texture (airbrushed). The camera then zooms into the Aristarchus Crater region. Simulated topography derived from Clementine data is used for relief and high resolution HST data is used for the area of interest. After investigating Aristarchus Crater, the camera then moves over to Schroter's Valley for a brief investigation.

This visualization is match rendered with id 3275 so that the color version can be dissolved in or out as needed.

Exposure Time: 2.5 minutes

Filters: F250W (250nm), F344N (344nm), F502N (502nm), F658N (658nm)

Push in and fly-around of HST imagery of Aristarchus Crater

HST imagery of Aristarchus Crater draped over simulated topography

HST imagery of Aristarchus Crater draped over simulated topography

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio

Additional credit to Zoltan G. Levay (STScI)

This page was originally published on Tuesday, October 18, 2005.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 1:56 PM EDT.

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