Was Intentionally Crashed On The Surface Of The Moon For Seismic Experiment

One of the experiments performed during the Apollo 12 mission in November, 1969 was designed to detect and measure moonquakes. And one of the methods used to initiate such a quake was to intentionally crash the spent ascent stage of the Lunar Module back onto the surface of the moon, triggering instruments on the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP) placed by Alan Bean and Pete Conrad.

But the de-orbit burn lasted longer than planned, and the ascent stage impacted the lunar surface much further from the ALSEP than expected. In fact, no one was quite sure where it went down.

Syfy Wire reports that now, new research of images captured by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter may reveal the impact site. Two researchers working independently of one another believe that the impact site is at a lunar latitude and longitude of 3.920° S, 338.828° E. They both found what is described as a dark streak that would match the trajectory of the ascent stage, along with what they believe is a fan of debris ejected from the impact site.

But some, including the author of the report, remain cautiously skeptical. The impact site does not exhibit the same characteristics as ascent stage impact sites from other missions, so the evidence is not definitive. Additional research may provide hard evidence that the impact site may have actually be found.

(Image Credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University)

FMI: Source report