NASA's Athena lander successfully touched down near the lunar south pole, within a permanently shadowed crater. While the landing was considered a triumph, the extreme cold of -280°F (-173°C) presents a significant challenge for the mission's scientific objectives, which include searching for water ice and characterizing the lunar environment. The frigid temperatures will limit the lander's operational lifespan and complicate data collection. Despite this, the mission team is optimistic about Athena's ability to return valuable data from this unexplored region of the Moon.
The groundbreaking robotic mission, Athena, dispatched to explore the enigmatic Martian moon Phobos, has achieved a remarkable feat, successfully landing within a shadowy crater on the diminutive celestial body. This achievement represents a significant leap forward in our understanding of Phobos, a celestial object that has long captivated scientists with its unusual properties and potential clues to the Martian system's history. However, the landing site presents a formidable challenge: a frigid environment characterized by extreme temperatures plummeting to a staggering -280 degrees Fahrenheit, equivalent to -173 degrees Celsius. This extreme cold poses significant technical hurdles for the mission, demanding robust engineering and operational strategies to ensure the survival and functionality of the sophisticated scientific instrumentation aboard Athena.
The targeted crater, permanently shrouded in darkness, is of particular interest to researchers due to the potential presence of pristine materials preserved from the early solar system. Protected from the harsh radiation and thermal variations experienced on more exposed surfaces, these materials within the crater could offer invaluable insights into the conditions prevalent during the formation of the Martian system and perhaps even provide clues to the origins of life itself. Athena is equipped with a suite of cutting-edge instruments designed to analyze the composition and properties of the regolith, the loose, rocky material covering Phobos' surface, within this scientifically promising, yet inhospitable, environment. This includes a robotic arm capable of excavating samples for detailed analysis and a specialized instrument for measuring the thermal properties of the crater floor.
The successful landing, culminating a years-long journey through interplanetary space, marks the commencement of an intensive scientific campaign. Over the coming weeks and months, Athena will meticulously gather and transmit valuable data back to Earth, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of Phobos and its relationship to Mars. The mission promises to shed light on the intriguing history of this small, irregularly shaped moon, addressing questions about its origin – whether it is a captured asteroid or formed from debris ejected from Mars – and its potential as a future resource for human exploration of the Martian system. The data gleaned from this daring mission will undoubtedly shape future exploration efforts and deepen our comprehension of the complex processes that have shaped the solar system we inhabit.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43359412
Hacker News users discuss the surprisingly low temperature of -280°F (-173°C) recorded by Astrobotic's Peregrine lander, named Athena, after landing in a permanently shadowed crater. Several commenters point out that this temperature, while cold, isn't unexpected for a permanently shadowed region and is well above absolute zero. They discuss the possibility of finding water ice at such locations, with some speculating about its potential uses for future lunar missions. The discrepancy between Celsius and Fahrenheit scales is also mentioned, highlighting the importance of context when discussing extreme temperatures. Some users express skepticism about the viability of commercial lunar missions given Astrobotic's struggles.
The Hacker News post discussing the Ars Technica article about Athena landing in a cold, dark crater has generated several comments. Many commenters focus on the extreme temperature reported, -280°F (-173°C), questioning its plausibility. One commenter points out that this temperature is approaching absolute zero (-459.67°F or -273.15°C), and suggests that the actual temperature is likely higher, perhaps closer to -173°F, speculating that there might have been a typo in the article. This comment sparks a discussion about the possibility of a Fahrenheit/Celsius mix-up, with other commenters agreeing that such an error is likely.
Further discussion revolves around the difficulty of accurately measuring temperatures in space, particularly on the surface of another celestial body. One commenter explains the concept of radiative cooling in a vacuum, stating that objects lose heat through radiation and that the temperature of an object in space depends on a balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing thermal radiation. They suggest that the shadowed crater floor, shielded from direct sunlight, could indeed reach very low temperatures.
Other commenters question the significance of landing in a dark crater, wondering why this location was chosen. There isn't a clear answer provided within the comments, although some speculate it might be related to searching for volatiles, such as water ice, which are more likely to be found in permanently shadowed regions.
Another line of discussion branches into the broader mission of Athena and its implications. Commenters express excitement about the potential scientific discoveries that might arise from studying the lunar south pole, particularly with regard to understanding the early solar system and the potential for future lunar resource utilization.
Overall, the comments section reflects a mix of skepticism about the reported temperature, curiosity about the mission's objectives, and excitement about the potential scientific gains from exploring the lunar south pole. The most compelling comments highlight the complexities of measuring temperature in space and the potential scientific value of exploring permanently shadowed craters. There is a palpable sense of anticipation for future updates and findings from the Athena mission.