Greyhoundman
sage
Reged: 11/20/07
Posts: 298
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Is anyone here planning on trying to observe or even photograph the event?
http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/observation.htm
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Edited by Greyhoundman (04/30/09 02:06 PM)
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desertstars
Please stand by...
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 35872
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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I'll be watching, if the skies are clear. Unfortunately, the impact is due to take place at the height of Arizona's summer thunderstorm season. There's a better than even chance clouds will be in my way.
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Tom W.
Collinder's Catalog
Standing in a garden, contemplating the stars, and wondering how to put it all into words.
Carpe Lunam
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terrapin
super member
Reged: 03/15/09
Posts: 148
Loc: Oakland, CA
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When is the impact scheduled? Can't find it anywhere on the site.
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Greyhoundman
sage
Reged: 11/20/07
Posts: 298
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Scheduled for late August. The exact time and date will announced as they pick the crater for the impact. The site will be updated as new info is available.
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canopus56
sage
Reged: 05/01/05
Posts: 459
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Yes, there is a group that was started by the LCROSS Public Outreach Team at:
http://groups.google.com/group/lcross_observation?lnk=srg
Presently, activity is low but will probably pickup as the June 2009 Sky & Telescope article hits the newstands and the June 2 launch date comes closer.
There are loads of information on the "Pages" section of that observation group site.
There also is a Selenology Today issue, issue no. 13, dedicated to LCROSS at:
http://digilander.libero.it/glrgroup/journal.htm (4megs)
- that is heavy on the science background and background on pre-event imaging practice.
Key info pages at the LCROSS Observation site are:
LCROSS Obs Group (unofficial) FAQ
http://groups.google.com/group/lcross_observation/web/lcross-faq
List of imaging-observing windows for favorable librations for the north and south poles through September:
http://groups.google.com/group/lcross_observation/web/librations-in-latitude-list
Impact candidate finder maps at the poles:
http://groups.google.com/group/lcross_observation/web/finders
Probably next to practice imaging at the poles, the best thing that newsgroup members can do at this point is to email the LCROSS public affairs officer and urge them to work with Goddard Space Flight Operations to release launch path predictions (by RA and Dec) for the outbound LRO-LCROSS booster during the first 10 hours of flight. This would have to be done in real time shortly after launch. See Selenology Today article at 81. It may be possible to image hydrogren fuel dumps and/or track the satellite on its path towards the moon for the first 30 hours of flight. See the Selenology Today article at page 7 and 71-83. A similar outbound imaging event occured with Apollo in 1971.
Jonas Dino
Office of Public Affairs
NASA's Ames Research Center
Moffett Field, Calif.
Jonas.Dino@nasa.gov
Dino is the contact per the official LCROSS NASA Site at:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/news/index.html
The major internet points for following the mission are:
The above NASA site
The above google LCROSS observation group
The LCROSS Twitter site
http://twitter.com/LCROSS_NASA
The LCROSS Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/LCROSS-Lunar-Impactor-Mission/154478180006?ref=s
Animation-movies giving an overview of the Mission at the LCROSS observation group site:
http://groups.google.com/group/lcross_observation/web/animations
The best of the online animations is a recent 11 minute KQED segment:
http://www.kqed.org/quest/television/nasa-ames-rocket-to-the-moon
- Clear Skies, Kurt
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Sol
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/20/07
Posts: 2046
Loc: Powys, Wales, UK
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A great set of links - thanks. Not sure how vsiible the impact will be, but I will be watching with the 8" if the weather permits.
Mark
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Visit the Sunnymeade Astro Solar Blog
http://sunnymeadeastro.blogspot.com/
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Jerry3672
Vendor - Quantum Astronomy Products
Reged: 01/20/08
Posts: 498
Loc: Lexington NC
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The launch is set for June 17th at 3:51pm Eastern time.
I plan on a few more practice shots of the north and south poles. Focus is tricky when you are that far North or South on the Moon.
How are others planning on shooting?
I have a C11 and a SN10 for scopes. I will use a Canon XSi or an Imaging Source DFK41 for my camera. My best photos of the moon have all been with the SN10-Canon XSi combo. We will have about 2 or 3 minuets of imaging time from impact, so I may play around with a video with the C11.
Looks like we will have at least 72 days from launch before impact.
I can't wait!! 
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Meade LXD75-SN-8, SN-10, C11
DSI Pro
Canon XSi 450D unmod
www.spike-a.com Bahtinov Style Focus Mask
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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1472
Loc: Toijala, Finland
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NASA has set a new launch date for LCROSS/LRO. It is set for June 18th, 5.12 pm EDT. The reason for this delay is the space-shuttle Endeavour (STS-127) scheduled to depart on June 17th 5.40 am, EDT. See NASA Launch Schedule.
Countdown to Launch Window is set to tick! - It's time to start to clear the optics 
See also discussions on Unmanned Spaceflight -forum on LCROSS/LRO. This far there are discussions upon development of the project and launch.
Be well!
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Share - and you shall have it all
Timo Keski-Petäjä
CtheMoon
Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)
TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series
Edited by Mare Nectaris (06/15/09 04:49 PM)
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desertstars
Please stand by...
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 35872
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Thanks for the update! 
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Tom W.
Collinder's Catalog
Standing in a garden, contemplating the stars, and wondering how to put it all into words.
Carpe Lunam
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canopus56
sage
Reged: 05/01/05
Posts: 459
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LCROSS Science Briefing 6-16 9EDT YouTube Podcast
Internet podcast of this morning's mission science briefing on LRO and LCROSS for the June 18 launch.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=NASAtelevision&view=videos
YouTube broadcast of the NASA LRO-LCROSS Press Briefing held June 15, 2009. LCROSS starts at min 21:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-GXjR_CZSE
For June 15 conference, impact Visibility is discussed at min 28: A June 18 launch gives a south pole impact on Oct. 9.
- Clear Skies - Kurt
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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1472
Loc: Toijala, Finland
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They had camera onboard: what a view on the liftoff on NASA TV 
We were able to see wonderful climb into space and the launch stage separation!
May she fly well!
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Share - and you shall have it all
Timo Keski-Petäjä
CtheMoon
Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)
TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series
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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1472
Loc: Toijala, Finland
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If somebody has not yet seen this wideo clip of the LCROSS/LRO launch by NASA TV, go and C ! The feeling of climbing into orbit is simply fantastic!
Be well all!
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Share - and you shall have it all
Timo Keski-Petäjä
CtheMoon
Observation shelter KuuMaja (MoonHut)
TAL 250K*Celestron C8-N*SkyWatcher Skymax 150 Pro*TAL1(Mizar)*EQ6 Pro SynScan*Celestron Advanced GT (CG-5 GOTO)*Baader Hyperion Clickstop Zoom 8-24*17 mm UWA-70*TeleVue BIG 2x Barlow*Celestron 2x Barlow Ultima SV Series
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Mare Nectaris
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 1472
Loc: Toijala, Finland
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Next interesting date and time for the mission is LOI (Lunar Orbit Insertion) for the LCROSS/Centaur, expected on tuesday 23rd of June 2009, at 5:43 EDT (9:43 UTC). LRO separated from the LCROSS/Centaur on T+ 44 min 45 sec, and LRO got a single ride towards the Moon. See Spaceflight Now Mission Status Center, edited by Justin Ray.
This LOI will effectively put LCROSS/Centaur into an elongated Earth polar orbit, which eventually will give the duo good maneuverability, high impact angle and enough energy for the Oct 9th impact, around 7:30 am EDT.
NASA TV is planning to send live coverage on the expected LOI -occasion.
To get us an impression what is about to happen, on Unmanned Spaceflight -forum BrianJ (post # 25) has generated two cool simulations (with the data he has acquired), presenting a simulation of ICPS (Instrument Calibration Pointing Sequence) as seen with "instrument line-of-sight" and as seen with an "external view".
Be well all!
Edited by Mare Nectaris (06/19/09 06:29 AM)
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MoonChild
sage
Reged: 04/27/09
Posts: 280
Loc: upstate ny
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this is gonna be sweeet!!! lol 
thanks for all the info everyone,
last i knew it was the Oct 8th,
9 sounds even better! lol
exciting stuff!!
clear skies!
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*newb*
“Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another” ~ Plato
~Kopernik Observatory
~C.Forks
my amateur astronomy pics
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Freddy WILLEMS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/13/05
Posts: 2932
Loc: Hawaii, Honolulu
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Thanks for the updates Timo !
Please do keep us informed, I do not want to miss this event !
7:30 AM EDT that's around 11.30 PM Hawaiian local time the day before october 8, 2009 ?
The moon will be very low on the Horizon here.
Can they not postpone it a few hours ?? 
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Freddy
Meade 14" LX200 GPS UHTC GPS on permanent pier
Celestron C 14" Peltier cooled for planetary imaging.
Meade 10" LX200 & TITAN 50:1 mount Gemini 'go to'
Meade 127 mm f/9 APO & TITAN 50:1 mount Gemini 'go to'
W/O 102 mm f/7 APO doublet
Orion 80 mm f/7 ED
DFK 21AU04.AS
ToUcam 840 II pro
Canon 10D Unmoddified
Canon 40D Hutech moddified
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Jerry3672
Vendor - Quantum Astronomy Products
Reged: 01/20/08
Posts: 498
Loc: Lexington NC
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Quote:
Thanks for the updates Timo !
Please do keep us informed, I do not want to miss this event !
7:30 AM EDT that's around 11.30 PM Hawaiian local time the day before october 8, 2009 ?
NASA has picked a time that will allow most of the US view the impact. Here on the east coast the Sun will be on the rise.
The moon will be very low on the Horizon here.
Can they not postpone it a few hours ??
NASA has picked a time that will allow most of the US view the impact. Here on the east coast the Sun will be on the rise
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Meade LXD75-SN-8, SN-10, C11
DSI Pro
Canon XSi 450D unmod
www.spike-a.com Bahtinov Style Focus Mask
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RobertED
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/11/03
Posts: 1405
Loc: Johnston, RI
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Will be using my C-11. Just not sure how to photograph the event. Could be using my Meade LPI, or try to buy a Celestron NexImage...I hear it's better!?! Any ideas???
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canopus56
sage
Reged: 05/01/05
Posts: 459
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MoonThumper
Jun 22, 9:20 am
From: MoonThumper <brianh...@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:20:54 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Mon, Jun 22 2009 9:20 am
Subject: LCROSS Lunar Flyby Video to be Streamed
After its successful launch, LCROSS is now on its way to the Moon. At Launch +5 days, the spacecraft will perform a lunar swingby to enter into an elongated Earth orbit to position LCROSS for impact at the lunar south pole. LCROSS lunar swingby video stream coverage will begin at approximately 5:20 AM PDT on Tuesday, June 23, 2009. Please
check http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/lunarswingby/ for
updates.
Brian [Day, LCROSS Team Public Education Officer]
Originally posted:
http://groups.google.com/group/lcross_observation/browse_thread/thread/39a0017ac41a88e2
- Clear skies - Kurt
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canopus56
sage
Reged: 05/01/05
Posts: 459
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Imaging ops for LCROSS during cruise orbit one
Was #3174079 - 06/21/09 02:17 AM
http://groups.google.com/group/lcross_observation/web/finders-cruise-orbits
The above page presents my quick analysis of favorable imaging windows to acquire the LCROSS-Centaur spacecraft during its cruise orbit one.
Lunar phases during cruise orbit one favor attempts to image the LCROSS-Centaur spacecraft by observers in the southern hemisphere between July 19 through the First Quarter Moon on July 28. Northern hemisphere observers are disfavored and have only a brief low-altitude imaging window before the First Quarter Moon of June 29 as LCROSS rises of the northwest horizon beginning on June 26.
Clear Skies - Kurt
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canopus56
sage
Reged: 05/01/05
Posts: 459
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LCROSS outbound tracking emphemeris Earth to Moon
Was #3169650 - 06/18/09 12:36 PM
The LRO-LCROSS launch is set for a 5:12EDT (3:12 MDT) (21UT) today. (At the time of this posting, the launch counter is at 4:40.) The following message was just posted on another newsgroup by the Horizons Team. The LCROSS Centaur booster trans-lunar orbit projected coordinates have been updated into the Horizons system.
http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons.cgi
Use "LCROSS" as the "Target Body". RA-Dec predicted positions are topocentric sensitive, so use your local "named location" city as the geographic location, not geocentric.
Live coverage begins at 2pm EDT (20UT).
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html
KSC live launchpad video of the launch can be seen at:
http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/
Typical pre-launch countdown activities for an Atlas V launch can be found at:
NASA Atlas V Countdown 101 FAQ
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/launch/atlas_V_count_101.html
A primitive first-order model of outbound Centaur visibility during trans lunar orbit can be found at physical pages 7, 74-83 (digital pages 10, 77-86) of Issue No. 13 of Selenology Today at:
http://digidownload.libero.it/glrgroup/selenologytoday13.pdf (4.5 megs)
(mag 6.5 at 5k decreasing to mag 13.8 at 150,000k)
There is no magnitude estimate in the Horizons system empheris.
There is no list of scheduled hydrogen fuel dumps. At a mission briefing on June 16, an LRO project scientist stated all fuel dumps would be completed before hand-off of the Centaur to LCROSS team flight control 4 hours into the flight.
- Clear Skies Kurt
=======
Horizons Message
With the shuttle launch scrubbed, the Moon-fated
LCROSS mission is currently go for 2009-Jun-18 21:12 UTC
launch (tomorrow).
The trajectory has been updated accordingly in Horizons
(based on navigation team planning), for those who want
to track it, or avoid confusing it for an asteroid in
Earth vicinity.
http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/?horizons
----------------------------------------------------------
Jon Giorgini | Navigation & Mission Design Section
Senior Analyst | Solar System Dynamics Group
Jon.Giorg...@jpl.nasa.gov | Jet Propulsion Laboratory
==========
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