The first successful operation of the magnetometer (SILMAG), the main scientific instrument installed on the Berashit spacecraft, allowed the mission scientist, Prof. Oded Aharonson from the Weizmann Institute of Science, to prepare for the scientific experiment that will be carried out when the spacecraft lands
The landing site of the "Bereshit" spacecraft on the moon - has been revealed. The first successful operation of the magnetometer (SILMAG), the main scientific instrument installed on the "Bereshit" spacecraft, allowed the mission scientist, Prof. Oded Aharonson from the Weizmann Institute of Science, to prepare for the scientific experiment that will be performed when the spacecraft lands.
After checking the integrity of the magnetometer, the scientists measured the magnetic field of the spacecraft itself, which will make it possible to reduce the field from the one that will be measured during landing. Measuring the magnetic field of the lunar rocks will help solve a question that scientists have been trying to answer for many years: what is the origin of this magnetic field, and when was it created.
Prof. Aaronson and his team recently assisted in choosing the exact landing site for the spacecraft. The designated site was chosen according to the limitations of the spacecraft and safety considerations, in an area where there are few craters and exposed rocks, and where there are no steep slopes that could endanger the spacecraft during landing. The site is located where the lunar crust has a magnetic field, which will allow scientists to perform the intended scientific measurement. The purpose of the measurement is to identify the source of the moon's magnetic field, which may help in understanding the formation and development of the moon's crust.
Prof. Aaronson, who will reveal the full considerations and technical details about the landing site at a scientific conference to be held in Houston, Texas, next week, says that the chosen site is located in the northeastern part of the "Sea of Calm" (Mare Serenitatis), a few hundred kilometers from the sites where Apollo 15 landed ( in the west direction), and Apollo 17 (in the southeast direction).
The landing site was chosen in consultation with Prof. Jim Head from Brown University, a member of the Space IL scientific team who had previously helped NASA select the landing site for the Apollo mission. "The experience at Apollo shows that the choice of this site is expected to serve both safety considerations and scientific considerations," says Prof. Head.
In fact, Prof. Aaronson defined three possible landing sites (main site and two backup sites). The plains in all three are composed of volcanic material similar to that present in the sites where successful landings were made in the past (most recently Chang-e 3 and 4). "We did our best to choose the safest and most interesting landing sites, but we have to remember that we only have one chance - and we depend on the great engineering work of 'Bereshit', and of course, also on a little luck."
The spacecraft "Bereshit" makes its way to the moon, and circles the earth every few days. Additional maneuvers in navigating the spacecraft's trajectory will be carried out until it reaches the moon in early April.
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Not sure, still hundreds of kilometers, although within the same area, but it is a large area.
Will it be possible to see from there/or on the way to the landing the Apollo landing sites and thus conjure up the conspiracies against the Apollo moon landing?