As the moon orbits the Earth it ocsasionally passes through the Earth's shadow
resulting in a spectacular change in the moons appearance for a short time. This event is called
a lunar eclipse and it happens at least twice a year providing a rare show that's worth staying
awake for. But what would a lunar eclipse look like if you were on the moon?
From that perspective you would actually be viewing a solar eclipse with the Earth blocking the Sun for a short
period of time. The view would be spectacular but there's more to it than that.
Having such a large scale lights out on the moon give scientists a unique opportunity
to study the moons surface and NASA's lunar reconnaissance orbiter is in a position
just that. So what exactly does LRO plan to study?
When the Sun is obscured the moon cools down but not every area cools at the same rate.
Rough areas of the moon, with large rocks and boulders cool down more slowly than areas
of fewer large rocks. By measuring the temperature of the moon as it cools
scientists can identify which areas are rougher than others. Earth based telescopes
have been doing something like this for years but there so far away that its hard to get a good view.
LRO's Diviner instrument on the other hand can measure temperature at an extremely
high resolution giving scientists a first ever up close measurement of this kind.
By taking these measurements scientists can infer the size and density of moon rocks
on a very small scale, teaching them new things about the moons surface. And
while they might not be able to get a view of the solar eclispe from the moon they'll still get a look at the moon that's
just as exciting.