Microscopics

NASA has just released new images taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) of the original Apollo Moon landing sites. Some even show the astronauts tracks when carrying out their surface experiments.

 
The Lunar Landers highlighted with a shadow from the low Sun.

Apollo 14. You can just about make out the astronauts tracks in the dust.

Apollo 14. Enlarged view.

The satellite reached lunar orbit June 23 and captured the Apollo sites between July 11 and 15. Though it had been expected that LRO would be able to resolve the remnants of the Apollo mission, these first images came before the spacecraft reached its final mapping orbit. Future LROC images from these sites will have two to three times greater resolution.

Although these pictures provide a reminder of past NASA exploration, LRO’s primary focus is on paving the way for the future. By returning detailed lunar data, the mission will help NASA identify safe landing sites for future explorers, locate potential resources, describe the moon’s radiation environment and demonstrate new technologies.

 
Apollo missions landing sites.

Further info at nasa.gov

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