SMART-1 to Crash the Moon

[Tugmistress]

Amateur astronomers, grab your telescopes. A spaceship is about to crash into the Moon, and you may be able to see the impact.
The spacecraft: SMART-1, a lunar orbiter belonging to the European Space Agency (ESA).
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/images/smart1/impactpoint2.gif (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=98)The impact site: Lacus Excellentiae (The Lake of Excellence), an ancient, 100-mile wide crater in the Moon's southern hemisphere.
The time to watch: Saturday, September 2nd at 10:41 p.m. PDT (Sept. 3rd, 0541 UT).


























Rest of the article http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/30aug_smart1.htm?list165874

[Kingetter]

Any predictions on weather for that time - for reasons of visibility?

There's a downside to that event of course - more of 'our litter' spread through the Universe, when we don't cope too well with it on Earth.

[Tugmistress]

probably chucking it down :(
hopefully someone will have some clear skies and be awake at that unearthly hour on a sunday morning though :eek:

[Kingetter]

Also, probably an idea to get out and away from towns etc - light pollution makes visibility much more difficult?

[DrSzin]

Amateur astronomers, grab your telescopes. A spaceship is about to crash into the Moon, and you may be able to see the impact.You won't see it crash if you're in Europe (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=39841):

In addition ESA calls on amateurs around the world to participate in making observations of the Moon. Unfortunately the Moon is not visible from Europe when the impact occurs - but observers are encouraged to observe the impact region before and after the event for evidence of ejecta material ploughed up during impact.

:(

[Tugmistress]

poo!
i never saw that bit Dr Szin :(

oh well we have a few orgers over the pond so they may be able to see it :)

[lassieinfife]

I have to ask......... why?:roll:

[MadPict]

Not so SMART if it is crashing.....:D