Korean moon probe grabs spectacular images

The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) captured this image of Earth sitting over the darkened limb of the moon. The KPLO’s mission is to investigate the makeup of the lunar surface and image permanently shadowed areas at the lunar poles. South Korea says the information this Korean moon probe gathers will help guide future human lunar exploration. Image via Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).

Korean moon probe Danuri, or ‘moon enjoy’

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) has released a set of black-and-white images of the Earth and moon that rival the work of legendary nature photographer Ansel Adams. The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter – also known as KPLO or Danuri (moon enjoy) – captured the soon-to-be-iconic pictures during an approach to the moon, and later as it orbited 100 km (62 miles) above the lunar surface.

South Korea launched Danuri on August 5, 2022, atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 booster. The probe entered lunar orbit on December 26, 2022. This month (January 2023), it’s due to begin studying the moon for a mission that should last at least a year.

According to KARI’s highly-detailed mission summary, the probe’s set of six instruments and cameras will study the makeup of the moon, as well as provide high-definition imagery of permanently shadowed areas near the moon’s poles.

A fully illuminated Earth rises over the darkened horizon of the moon in this new image from the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO or Danuri). Image via KARI.

Available now! 2023 EarthSky lunar calendar. A unique and beautiful poster-sized calendar showing phases of the moon every night of the year. Makes a great gift!

KPLO, aka Danuri, captured the moon transiting, or moving in front of, Earth’s disk over a 3-hour period. Image via KARI.

Danuri captured the Earth and moon as seen from deep space. Image via KARI.

Earth and moon in stunning black-and-white

The set of eight images from Danuri includes two shots of Earth seen over the darkened lunar limb, a study of the moon transiting the Earth as seen from deep space, two portraits of the illuminated far side of the moon, another two portraits of Earth in full illumination, and a deep-space portrait of Earth and its natural satellite.

Here’s the 1st of Danuri’s 2 images of the fully illuminated disk of the Earth as seen from the moon. Danuri’s mission is to investigate the makeup of the lunar surface and image permanently shadowed areas at the lunar poles. The information it gathers will guide future human lunar exploration. Image via KARI.

The 2nd of Danuri’s 2 images showing the fully illuminated disk of Earth as seen from the moon. Image via KARI.

The mission is just starting in January 2023. Let’s see what else it brings!

Bottom line: A lunar probe captured iconic black-and-white images of Earth and the moon.

The post Korean moon probe grabs spectacular images first appeared on EarthSky.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/pAXarm7

The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) captured this image of Earth sitting over the darkened limb of the moon. The KPLO’s mission is to investigate the makeup of the lunar surface and image permanently shadowed areas at the lunar poles. South Korea says the information this Korean moon probe gathers will help guide future human lunar exploration. Image via Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).

Korean moon probe Danuri, or ‘moon enjoy’

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) has released a set of black-and-white images of the Earth and moon that rival the work of legendary nature photographer Ansel Adams. The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter – also known as KPLO or Danuri (moon enjoy) – captured the soon-to-be-iconic pictures during an approach to the moon, and later as it orbited 100 km (62 miles) above the lunar surface.

South Korea launched Danuri on August 5, 2022, atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 booster. The probe entered lunar orbit on December 26, 2022. This month (January 2023), it’s due to begin studying the moon for a mission that should last at least a year.

According to KARI’s highly-detailed mission summary, the probe’s set of six instruments and cameras will study the makeup of the moon, as well as provide high-definition imagery of permanently shadowed areas near the moon’s poles.

A fully illuminated Earth rises over the darkened horizon of the moon in this new image from the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO or Danuri). Image via KARI.

Available now! 2023 EarthSky lunar calendar. A unique and beautiful poster-sized calendar showing phases of the moon every night of the year. Makes a great gift!

KPLO, aka Danuri, captured the moon transiting, or moving in front of, Earth’s disk over a 3-hour period. Image via KARI.

Danuri captured the Earth and moon as seen from deep space. Image via KARI.

Earth and moon in stunning black-and-white

The set of eight images from Danuri includes two shots of Earth seen over the darkened lunar limb, a study of the moon transiting the Earth as seen from deep space, two portraits of the illuminated far side of the moon, another two portraits of Earth in full illumination, and a deep-space portrait of Earth and its natural satellite.

Here’s the 1st of Danuri’s 2 images of the fully illuminated disk of the Earth as seen from the moon. Danuri’s mission is to investigate the makeup of the lunar surface and image permanently shadowed areas at the lunar poles. The information it gathers will guide future human lunar exploration. Image via KARI.

The 2nd of Danuri’s 2 images showing the fully illuminated disk of Earth as seen from the moon. Image via KARI.

The mission is just starting in January 2023. Let’s see what else it brings!

Bottom line: A lunar probe captured iconic black-and-white images of Earth and the moon.

The post Korean moon probe grabs spectacular images first appeared on EarthSky.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/pAXarm7