Japan Moon Probe Snaps First Photos

mrcgran writes "Space.com reports, "Almost one month after Japan's successful launch of the Kaguya lunar probe, the unmanned observatory has begun its first major activities in orbit around the moon. In addition to snapping its first lunar images, the probe jettisoned one of two 110-pound (50-kilogram) "baby" satellites that will help create a detailed gravity map of the moon." The major objectives of the "KAGUYA" mission are to obtain scientific data of the lunar origin and evolution and to develop the technology for the future lunar exploration. "KAGUYA" consists of a main orbiting satellite at about 100km altitude and two small satellites (Relay Satellite and VRAD Satellite) in polar orbit."

Proof of the moon landing maybe?

[The Tonester]

Perhaps the Japanese can provide some unbiased evidence of the (alleged?) moon landing site. Put those pesky theories to rest...

HD

[FrostedWheat]

These pictures are fairly low quality, probably from an engineering camera rather than a scientific one.
One thing I noticed on the website is that they also carry an HDTV camera [www.jaxa.jp]! Can't wait to see some nice HD video from lunar orbit.

Re:Gravity map?

[MichaelSmith]

I wonder how long it will take them to find TMA1

Time to read the book again. It was the magnetic field which made it stand out, possibly maintained by current in a loop of superconductor.

There is a pretty good chance we would have found it by now. [springerlink.com]