This computer simulation video, from the Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio, uses data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to visualize how the Moon will look to us on Earth during the entire year of 2011. It compresses one month into 12 seconds and one year into 2.5 minutes.
Next total lunar eclipse for North America is December 10, 2011
While the moon always keeps the same face to us, it’s not exactly the same face. Because of the tilt in its axis and shape of its orbit, we see the moon from slightly different angles over the course of a month, and the year. Normally, we don’t see how the moon “wobbles” in its orbit, but seeing the moon’s year this quickly, we can see the changes in libration and axis tilt — as well as the most noticeable changes, the moon’s phases.
The video – the most accurate to date – shows shadows and other features on the moon in incredible detail. This is thanks to the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). The LOLA has already taken more than 10 times as many elevation measurements as all previous missions combined. These made a global elevation map possible, and that is how the shadows came into play.
Via Physorg.com
Via NASA/Goddard Scientific Visualization Studio
This is so inaccurate. Where is the lunar eclipse on the june full moon???
It says ‘a’ year, not a particular year.
@JhonnyB- This was posted before the lunar eclipse.
I personally think it is great. Thank you for a great insight.
Nicely done, decent use of shadows. To make it a touch more realistic, they will have to tone down the amount the crater walls reflect (too much). We simply don’t see that level of mottling at full phase in the southern hemisphere.
My only other comment would be to tighten up the description. The Moon’s real tilt relative to its orbit is only 1.5 degrees. The huge swaying seen here is NOT the wobbling on its axis, but rather relative to the Earth’s equator. If you showed Jupiter’s moons or Saturn’s rings they would similarly sway. Relative to the ecliptic, the *apparent* wobble is less than 10 degrees, mostly less than 8. In fact, I find it is hard to see the libration motion because it is masked by the change relative to the equator. For example, it is difficult to see Mare Crisium separate from the limb then approach it again.
Alister,
Yes, the tilt of the moon’s axis relative to the ecliptic – Earth’s orbital plane – is 1.5 degrees. But the inclination of the the moon’s orbital plane relative to the ecliptic is about 5 degrees. Added together, that’s about 6.5 degrees for libration in latitude (north to south rocking motion of the moon). For more on libration, you’re welcome to read my article at http://www.idialstars.com/luli.htm.
Bruce
[...] Source: EarthSky [...]
this is a nice video but for what year was this? Certainly wasn’t this year.
this video is interesting, but it is not representative of the moons apparent behavior over the last 12 months. Recent lunar behaviour includes the light and dark sides being stacked vertically light over dark and the moon phase going from full to a very thin crescent in just under a week. the moon is also rising and setting in the wrong place relative to the horizon. I doubt this post will see the light of day, but if it does, please send any relavent info or links to dvl5150@gmail.com.