MadSci Network: Astronomy
Query:

Re: Is the scientific equipment that the Apollo astronauts left still working?

Date: Sun Jan 7 16:31:56 2001
Posted By: Cliff Hamrick, Staff, Biology, Baylor University
Area of science: Astronomy
ID: 978717624.As
Message:

The Apollo astronauts left some seismometers and a highly reflective mirror 
on the moon.  The seismometers are similar to the ones used on Earth and 
they detect moonquakes.  The mirror is used by the McDonald Observatory in 
Texas to detect the exact distance of the moon from the Earth.  

To the best of my knowledge, both are still operational and used by 
scientists to collect data on the moon.  This may seem amazing considering 
that they have been sitting unattended for around 30 years, but the moon 
changes very little.  There are occasional moonquakes and meteor strikes, 
but other than that the moon is the same as when we visited around 25 years 
ago.

One piece of information that we have gained through this equipment is that 
the moon is moving away from the Earth.  By using a high powered laser and 
bouncing it off the mirror, the astronomers at McDonald's Observatory can 
gain very precise distances of the moon.  It is moving away from the Earth 
at about an inch a year.  In the long term (very long term), this could 
greatly alter the seasonal changes on the Earth, vary the climate of the 
Earth, and essentially do away with total solar eclipses.




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