An explosion on the moon

[science_spot]

The title to this post could read like a headline from some really scary news.  We will have to wait until tomorrow to know how it reads, though.  On Friday morning, at 7:15 am, NASA will be sending a rocket to the surface of the moon, for the purpose of using an explosion to remove some surface rock from one specific crater - the Shakleton Crater.  The reason for all this effort?  WATER.  If we can find water on the moon, we will be one step closer to building a semi-permanent or permanent outpost on the surface of the moon.

It's called the LCROSS Lunar Impact Project.  They will have NASA TV available for viewers to watch the impact for free here on their website, starting at 6:15 am Friday, October 9, 2009.  I am going to miss it since I will be traveling this weekend :( For more information on the project in FAQ format, straight from the folks at NASA.

 

What worries you about this? 

It being a possible cover-up for some test of military purposes? 

The remote possibility something will go wrong and there will be some sort of Earth impact? 

What they will find? 

It encourages future moon exploration and possibly a future community built to live on the moon? 

All of the above?

 

Tonya

AKA sunmoonstars

The Science Spot

 

[Jewelzgirl]

Oct. 8, 2009 at 10:56 AM

I heard about this.  I think it's exciting and it would be neat to find water on the moon.  I've always believed that one day (not in my lifetime) that there will be something permanent on the moon.

[auroragold]

Oct. 8, 2009 at 2:37 PM

Not worried at all....glad to see continued space exploration and experimentation.   Thanks for posting this!

[aenima49]

Oct. 8, 2009 at 6:02 PM

Wow, awesome!

[KristiS11384]

Oct. 8, 2009 at 6:21 PM

The only concern I would have would be ensuring proper mathematics between the force of explosives and the moon's gravity. I'm sure they've already considered this though and have their top mathemetician's ensuring the proper ratio.

[science_spot]

Oct. 8, 2009 at 8:13 PM

kristi - thinking of all that math makes me sick!  haha!  Yes NASA has the top mathmeticians, physicists and computers working all those numbers!!  You bring up an excellent point.

(Original Poster)

[You_Are_Invited]

Oct. 9, 2009 at 5:22 AM

Well, the answers section is ablaze with conspiracy thoeries that this is actually a bombing of an alien obsevation post/base camp. Being an avid sci fi fan I love a good story, but the only thing I would be worried about is them accidently blowing up the moon. Well, that would be a great start to a Roland Emmerich flick. How will the human race survive? =D

Have a safe trip!

[jlry_ldy]

Oct. 9, 2009 at 7:59 AM

I actually don't see the point, but I'm not into this. (I mean, I see the point of what they're doing: trying to find water, etc....but I don't understand the "who cares" point.)

My concern: I feel like we're wasting money on this. I mean, our country in the shape it is....isn't this more of a "splurge" than anything? Shouldn't we be using that money for something more productive?

That's my main issue.

[beeky]

Oct. 9, 2009 at 8:37 AM

The prospect of finding water on the moon is exciting.  The thought of building a Lunar base is exhilarating.  The thought of something going wrong is scary. 

Ever see the remake of the Time Machine?  The scene where the moon is exploding comes to mind.

[beeky]

Oct. 9, 2009 at 8:42 AM

jlry_Idy:  This is important because it could be the first step to ensuring our continued survival.  A Lunar base is the first stepping stone to building spacecraft that can take us beyondour solar system enabling us to find other habitable planets.  At the rate we are using our natural resources and destroying this planet, we're going to need new real estate.

[LilCaprica]

Oct. 9, 2009 at 9:42 AM

I was really glad to see smeone post FOR the explosion. So many are worried about the money, which is kinda silly since NASA is one of  the lowest funded goverment programs.

I watched the explosion on the NASA channel with my 6 year old daughter. Even though we didn't get to see the BIG movie explosion, we did see something that looked like one on the thermal view. We both enjoyed it and I look forward to more NASA projects! It is about time!

Hope you have a nice trip!