Hello everybody!

If humans are ever to have a long-term presence on the Moon, then we need more information. NASA's Lunar Reconaissance Orbiter is there to provide some of it. It's been in orbit for two years, and with its seven cameras has already provided high-resolution photos of possible landing sites, resources such as water, and many other features.

But today (September 7) pictures of Apollo landing sites have been released. The LRO had dropped into an orbit that took it only 21 km (13 miles) from the surface. You can read about it here: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/sep/HQ_11-289_LRO_Images.html And here's a labelled picture: http://www.universetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/apollo-17-higher-439x580.png

"What's up for September?" from the Jet Propulsion Lab also has a Moon theme. You can see the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdCkg4Yr9QU

The latest article from the Astronomy site at BellaOnline.com is:

Young Astronomers Reveal the Universe
In the film Deep Impact a teenage astronomer discovers a comet with a small telescope. In reality, teenage astronomers are more likely to make their discoveries in front of a computer - finding supernovae, pulsars, asteroids. The youngest discoverer was ten. Let them inspire you.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art18718.asp

If you're tired of seeing a minority of hooligans allowed to represent young people, I hope you'll like finding about about what some of the others are doing.

That's all for now.  Wishing you clear skies.

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Mona Evans,
Astronomy Editor BellaOnline

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