BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Brad Klein reviews upcoming astronomical highlights with Bethlehem’s ‘Backyard Astronomy Guy,’ Marty McGuire.
This week, the Japanese lunar mission known as "Resilience," prepares to deploy its lander to the moon’s surface.
If all goes according to plan, Resilience will land on the moon Thursday, June 5.
“It's a lander that's about 7.5 feet tall by 8.5 feet wide and carries multiple science payloads, as well as a micro-rover that's going to drive around the landing site,” according to McGuire.
The rover, called "Tenacious" is only about 11 pounds and wields scientific instruments including an HD camera, and a small shovel to gather and examine soil and rock samples.
As Tenacious rolls across the moon’s surface, Earthbound observers can easily see the mission’s landing site, known as the Mare Frigoris, or Sea of Cold.
It’s toward the moon’s northern polar region, clearly visible on the Earth-facing side of the moon. Look for the Mare Frigoris the nights of June 10 and 11 when the moon is full, and imagine that small ambassador from Earth, moving across its surface.
