ESA Portal - Lunar mini-camera tells the Moon to say 'Cheese'

Media Centre

Press Releases ESA Television Launch Media Corner Exhibitions

Services

Calendar Publications Frequently asked questions ESA-sponsored Conferences Help Site Credits Portal terms of use Comments Subscribe

Lunar mini-camera tells the Moon to say "Cheese"

12 November 2004

Back to article

Credits: ESA

Back to article

The AMIE camera on board ESA's SMART-1 acquired its first image of a crescent moon on 18 January 2004. On 29 January, between 2000 and 2119 UT, images of the first quarter Moon were taken through several filters.

The result is a small, but impressive, image revealing, clockwise from the top: Mare Serenitatis, Mare Tranquillitatis, Mare Fecunditatis and Mare Nectaris, with Mare Crisium also visible near the limb.

The result is very encouraging as the spacecraft is still over 300 000 kilometres from the Moon. The camera appears to have survived its journey through the high-radiation environment with no apparent reduction in performance. Taking images is also an excellent test of the pointing ability of the spacecraft.

Credits: ESA

Back to article

Download:

HI RES JPG (Size: 475 kb)

Seen here compared in size with roll of 35 mm film and weighing no more than an pocket digital camera, AMIE will send back electronic images of Earth and Moon - and watch for laser signals from Earth.

Credits: AOES Medialab, ESA 2002

SMART-1