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Advanced Technology Lunar Astronomy Mission, the Moon as an Immense Optical Bench in Vacuum

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 August 2015

Peter C. Chen
Affiliation:
Goddard Space Flight CenterGreenbelt, MD 20771, USA
Yoji Kondo
Affiliation:
Goddard Space Flight CenterGreenbelt, MD 20771, USA
Ronald J. Oliversen
Affiliation:
Goddard Space Flight CenterGreenbelt, MD 20771, USA

Extract

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The Moon combines some of the most attractive features for astronomical observations from space (no atmospheric absorption, perfect seeing, etc.) and those from ground (large steady optical bench, ease of control from Earth, etc.). Astronomers have planned for telescopes on the Moon for decades but, due to its primary obstacle – high cost – they have not yet been built, save one small telescope that was carried to the Moon on an Apollo mission.

Type
II. Joint Discussions
Copyright
Copyright © Kluwer 1998

References

Mission to the Moon: Europe’s Priorities for the Scientific Exploration and Utilization of the Moon.” Report of the Lunar Study Steering Group. ESA SP-1150, June 1992. Chapter 2, pp4042.Google Scholar