Japanese probe HD moon images

[reyfer]

Early this month, KAGUYA, the japanese lunar probe sent by JAXA (Japan's space agency), sent the first High Definition images of the Moon's surface, thanks to a special HD camera operated along with NHK (NHK will broadcast tons of footage later this year). Here's the link to the press release (in english) which contains the video http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2007/11/20071107_kaguya_e.html

And here some shots



And now, they have presented the first ever HD footage of an Eart-rise and Earth-set from above the Moon's surface. I have to tell you, it is simply beautiful.
Press release (in English) with link to the video http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2007/11/20071113_kaguya_e.html

And I'll put here just one image, because you really should watch the video




 

[shadowstar]

Why is it that from these 'trips', we never see stars in the background?

That's apparently one reason why some people believe the first moon landing was all staged and done in a studio.

[reyfer]

Why is it that from these 'trips', we never see stars in the background?

That's apparently one reason why some people believe the first moon landing was all staged and done in a studio.

When there is a full moon go outside and see how many stars you can find compared to a night when the moon is not out. You will see the difference. The stars are very faint and get washed out by the bright light of the moon.

The reason why no or very little stars can be seen is because of the Earth. The Earth, when lit by the Sun, is many thousands times brighter than the stars around it. As a result the Earth is so bright that it swamps out most if not all of the stars.

David Latchman, B.Sc. Physics, University of the West Indies

You cannot even see stars in footage of sporting events at night. Further proof? Take a video or photo camera in the city and take a shot at the moon at night, see how many stars you can see there  (one of the first things I learned when starting my own Sky Photo project with my telescope)

Also, everybody should check one of my favorite astronomy sites to see how the "Moon landing hoax" theory is debunked http://www.badastronomy.com/

[Guchi_Jnr]

^ stars don't admit enough light, and therefore need long exposure to be visible on film..
A little read

[Asmodai]

Nifty pics. I'm using one of them for my wallpaper now.

[~Dan~]

Cool videos.  It'll be cool if they manage to get a shot of any of the Apollo lunar landers (the bottom half gets left behind) or any of the other Apollo junk left behind to finally put an end to the idiots that say it never happened.

[Bleachhh]

The third picture with the earth behind it is very cool. Wallpaper'ed

[ctz]

The first thing I thought was that in all its greyness the Moon looks very much of a boring place. They should get some color there. I suggest painting probes and landers in bright colors in the future.