In a groundbreaking study released today, the mystery surrounding the mystery Moon crash Which happened on March 4, 2022, has been shut down permanently, according to a report published in the Planetary Science Journal. space.com.
A celestial spectacle unfolded when a rocket slammed into the far side of the moon, creating a bizarre spectacle Double holeIt is about 95 feet (29 m) wide. The incident was predicted by astronomers who carefully followed the rogue rocket’s erratic path for weeks, accurately predicting the exact location and time of impact.
The main mystery revolved around the identity of the impacting object, which astronomers named WE0913A. Initial observations hinted that this might be the upper stage of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, responsible for the launch of the DSCOVR satellite in February 2015. However, subsequent investigations led astronomers to identify a different culprit: the third and upper stage of the Chinese Long March rocket. 3C. The rocket that propelled the unmanned Chang’e 5-T1 mission around the moon in October 2014.
Confirming their previous conclusion, a team of researchers at the University of… University of Arizona (UA) provided trajectory and spectral analysis in a study conducted by Tanner Campbell, a doctoral student in the UA Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. The study, published on Thursday (November 16), leaves no doubt that WE0913A is indeed the body of the Long March 3C (R/B) rocket from the Chang’e 5-T1 mission.
Despite this confirmation, China has disputed the results, asserting that the Long March 3C upper stage burned up LandAtmosphere shortly after the launch of Chang’e 5-T1. This contradicts a statement by the US Space Command, which refuted this claim last year, asserting that the object never entered Earth’s atmosphere.
The new study not only solves the mystery of the impactor’s identity, but also provides more insights into the distinctive crater created by the Moon’s March 2022 crash.
The researchers analyzed WE0913A’s light curve and compared it to thousands of virtual space objects created through computer simulations. The results revealed unique properties, suggesting that the object behaves like a stable dumbbell. This behavior is due to the large mass at each end, especially the two engines in the upper stage, which weigh a combined 2,400 lb (1,090 kg) without fuel.
“This is the first time we’ve seen a double lunar impact crater,” said lead researcher Tanner Campbell, highlighting the equal size of the craters resulting from the stable collapse of the rocket’s body. The mysterious mass, which has been inferred to be too large for a standard tool surface, remains unidentified, leaving scientists to speculate about its nature and purpose.
As the scientific community uncovers the secrets of this lunar event, confirming the origin of WE0913A represents an important milestone in celestial exploration.
A celestial spectacle unfolded when a rocket slammed into the far side of the moon, creating a bizarre spectacle Double holeIt is about 95 feet (29 m) wide. The incident was predicted by astronomers who carefully followed the rogue rocket’s erratic path for weeks, accurately predicting the exact location and time of impact.
The main mystery revolved around the identity of the impacting object, which astronomers named WE0913A. Initial observations hinted that this might be the upper stage of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, responsible for the launch of the DSCOVR satellite in February 2015. However, subsequent investigations led astronomers to identify a different culprit: the third and upper stage of the Chinese Long March rocket. 3C. The rocket that propelled the unmanned Chang’e 5-T1 mission around the moon in October 2014.
Confirming their previous conclusion, a team of researchers at the University of… University of Arizona (UA) provided trajectory and spectral analysis in a study conducted by Tanner Campbell, a doctoral student in the UA Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. The study, published on Thursday (November 16), leaves no doubt that WE0913A is indeed the body of the Long March 3C (R/B) rocket from the Chang’e 5-T1 mission.
Despite this confirmation, China has disputed the results, asserting that the Long March 3C upper stage burned up LandAtmosphere shortly after the launch of Chang’e 5-T1. This contradicts a statement by the US Space Command, which refuted this claim last year, asserting that the object never entered Earth’s atmosphere.
The new study not only solves the mystery of the impactor’s identity, but also provides more insights into the distinctive crater created by the Moon’s March 2022 crash.
The researchers analyzed WE0913A’s light curve and compared it to thousands of virtual space objects created through computer simulations. The results revealed unique properties, suggesting that the object behaves like a stable dumbbell. This behavior is due to the large mass at each end, especially the two engines in the upper stage, which weigh a combined 2,400 lb (1,090 kg) without fuel.
“This is the first time we’ve seen a double lunar impact crater,” said lead researcher Tanner Campbell, highlighting the equal size of the craters resulting from the stable collapse of the rocket’s body. The mysterious mass, which has been inferred to be too large for a standard tool surface, remains unidentified, leaving scientists to speculate about its nature and purpose.
As the scientific community uncovers the secrets of this lunar event, confirming the origin of WE0913A represents an important milestone in celestial exploration.
“Explorer. Unapologetic entrepreneur. Alcohol fanatic. Certified writer. Wannabe tv evangelist. Twitter fanatic. Student. Web scholar. Travel buff.”
