Moon Imaging Test Paves Way for New Planetary Radar
Successful test in November proves that a new planetary radar radio telescope system can capture high-resolution images in near-Earth space
By NATIONAL RADIO ASTRONOMY OBSERVATORY Photo Credit: NRAO/GBO/Raytheon/NSF/AUI
The National Science Foundation’s Green Bank Observatory (GBO) and National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), and Raytheon Intelligence & Space conducted a test in November to prove that a new radio telescope system can capture high-resolution images in near-Earth space.
The radar image of the region where Apollo 15 landed in 1971. The snake-like feature is Hadley Rille, a remnant of ancient volcanic activity, probably a collapsed lava tube.
The crater at top, alongside the rille, is called Hadley C and is about 6 kilometers in diameter.
This image shows objects as small as 5 meters across.
“The planned system will be a leap forward in radar science, allowing access to never before seen features of the Solar System from right here on Earth,” said Karen O’Neil, the Green Bank Observatory site director.
