Apollo artifacts visable?

[rxsid]

Hi all,<br /><br />I'm wondering if any of the Apollo (maned) mission artifacts can be and are viewed from Earth (via telescope)? Specifically, either part of the lunar lander, or the lunar rover. Any web links to such information and/or photos? I'd really appreciate it.<br /><br />I'm trying to show undeniable evidence (in my opinion) that the men landing on the moon were not staged or faked. I know they weren't, I'd just like additional proof. I just saw a great special from National Geographic that debunks virtually all the major 'conspiracy theories' regarding the maned moon missions. I'd like further info regarding some of the items that were left behind that can be seen from earth.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[henryhallam]

Not visible from Earth, none of our telescopes (including Hubble) have sufficient resolution. The upcoming Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter should be able to resolve the LM descent stages though.

 

[brellis]

Those reflectors from the Lunar Laser ranging experiment still work. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[comga]

But it depends on what rxsid means by "can be viewed", brellis. The retroreflector arrays are *detectable* from Earth, but not *resolvable*.

 

[brellis]

The retroflectors were put there by Apollo astronauts, proof we were there.<br /><br />I was hoping SMART-1 would catch a glimpse during its mission. Unfortunately, they didn't have the best cameras available on board. IIRC it flew over an Apollo site once, but couldn't resolve it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

<i>Unfortunately, they didn't have the best cameras available on board.</i><br /><br />The SMART-1 cameras were good enough for the purpose they were intended, thus they were the best for the job. Imaging the Apollo landing sites was not their purpose.<br /><br />Why is it that so many people seem to think that the only purpose of a lunar orbiter mission is to image Apollo hardware? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[brellis]

I was speaking in the context of the other posts. Perhaps I should have stayed away from this thread in the first place. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[astronaut23]

Maybe to shut up the moon hoax accussations by photographing descent stages, rovers, whatever left on the moon.<br /><br />As for me of course I don't believe the hoax is true. It'd sure be interesting to see a modern image of an old Apollo landing site though.

 

[radarredux]

> <i><font color="yellow">Why is it that so many people seem to think that the only purpose of a lunar orbiter mission is to image Apollo hardware?</font>/i><br /><br />It reminds me of when everyone was asking for photos of the "face on Mars".<br /><br />On a more serious note, taking a photo of the Lunar Landers equipment will be similar to taking a photo of any historically important event. We do it all the time, from photos of actual places (the Parthenon in Athens) to objects (the Enola Gay in the Air and Space Museum). I for one look forward to it. I look forward even more to an up close investigation to see what condition the equipment is in. How much dust has settled on the equipment? Are there any micrometeorite hits on the equipment? How has the sun and dust exposure affected the various materials?<br /><br />Regarding the hoax believers, don't forget that almost everyone under the age of 40 has no personal memory of the events. And given NASA's track record (or the government's track record in general) for taking on and succeeding on such a difficult task on schedule, and given the government's decision to lie or mislead on so many important facts over the decades, I can see it easy for many to doubt the US government's claim regarding this success.</i>

 

[rocketman5000]

But shouldn't we believe and trust our parents?

 

[larper]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>But shouldn't we believe and trust our parents?<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote> The same people that tell us about Santa Clause, The Easter Bunny, and the biblical god? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong><font color="#ff0000">Vote </font><font color="#3366ff">Libertarian</font></strong></p> </div>

 

[rocketman5000]

I am told that I was denied a decent childhood. I was never told there was a Santa Claus or Easter Bunny. As for a biblical God. well you got 1 for 3 right

 

[MeteorWayne]

Would it really be worth spending tens of millions of dollars to snap a few photos, that as crazyeddie points out a hoax believer isn't going to accept anyway?<br /><br />Or to even spend a few extra million to add a camera and modify a mission to snap them?<br /><br />When we get back and can look at them in person and examine and photgraph them in detail, yeah that will be worth it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[rocketman5000]

I think it would be worth it if you could resolve it there was any damage to the vehicles from micrometeroids. That would be good information to know...

 

[MeteorWayne]

Like I said, the only way is to look with human eyes. <br /><br />It's too much money (which is not available) for a dedicated mission. We'll see later <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[portercc]

I lived through it and it was better than Voyager I & II, Galileo, Cassini and all the Mars missions rolled up into one. <br />It was the greatest race ever. It was good vs evil, right vs wrong, freedom vs communisum - a technological battle. It was exciting and it seemed like everyone was united. And the whole world watched.<br />I don't need to see photographs of the landing sites. http://www.apolloarchive.com/apollo_gallery.html<br />God exists and if you understand, so does the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus.<br /><br />

 

[JonClarke]

Good vs Evil, Right vs Wrong? It is a great pity the Russians didn't get there.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[rocketman5000]

Wow I didn't know they had photoshop back then!!!! j/k Amazing photos. I guess the biggest technological advancement that I have seen in my lifetime is cellphones and the internet. Not quite as inspiring. Although I was alive for the fall of the Berlin Wall and saw it on TV I was young (about 6) and didn't really know the significance. <br /><br />America is at its best when it is struggling to overcome adversity.

 

[portercc]

It was a different world then my friend. Oh, it was fascinating as the clocked ticked and rumors spread of their robotic lander. I was interested in all aspects of spaceflight - I didn't want them to fail - just come in second. <br />The Russians were the bad guys. They had me and my friends on our hands and knees twice a week in the hallway of our elementary school practicing for a nuclear attack...it was scary stuff. <br />It wasn't just about the moon, it was an idealogical battle.<br />

 

[portercc]

Rocket....pretty funny for this early in the morning...I know, where are the stars????

 

[tplank]

<i>Good vs Evil, Right vs Wrong? It is a great pity the Russians didn't get there.</i><br /><br />Ah, how quickly we forget. Kruschev banging his shoe and the Missiles of October were so fresh and real back then. Now the Russians are the losers and we have nothing but compassion.<br /><br />Don’t misunderstand: I agree that it is a pity the Russians didn’t get there second. But the fact they did not follow through and get there second highlights the political aspect of what was happening. If they had, we might have had a real space race and there is no telling how far that might have propelled us. Instead, we declared victory, pulled the Apollo plug and set our highest expectations to within a few hundred miles of Terra Firma.<br /><br />But it was Good v. Evil-make no mistake. Both subjectively and objectively. I was too young to have the more nuanced understanding I do today, but I remember hearing planes overhead while I laid in my bed at night and wondering if it was the beginning of the end. The fear of genuine evil was very real even if not quite justified in light of what we know today.<br /><br />Objectively speaking, while “we” were not in any way a pure form of Good, look at the balance sheet. Obviously, to speak of the Soviet empire as evil I do not speak of the Russian people as individuals any more than when I call the Nazis evil. I wish the Russian scientists trying to build on top of the shattered remains of a failed regime all the best in the world. What they accomplished does deserve our respect and admiration. But just like Werner Von Braun before them, they were, in fact, the bad guys.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>The Disenfranchised Curmudgeon</p><p>http://tonyplank.blogspot.com/ </p> </div>

 

[PistolPete]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>I wish there was some way we could send all the Apollo landing disbelievers to the moon so they could see the evidence for themselves.....then leave them there!<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />I remember what this place was like after that wretched Fox moon hoax show several years ago and honestly I don't think that even that would convince them.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Although, it would be a good way to increase the lowest common denominator in this country. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><em>So, again we are defeated. This victory belongs to the farmers, not us.</em></p><p><strong>-Kambei Shimada from the movie Seven Samurai</strong></p> </div>

 

[rocketman5000]

I thought that was what McDonald's and fast food was for

 

[astronaut23]

What kind of evidence would it take to convice us that the moon landings were fake? I mean we all want them to be real don't we. Obviously they don't for some reason or the other?<br /><br />Everyone sees what they want to see. We are closed minded to the possibility of it being a hoax and they are closed minded to the possibility that its real.

 

[no_way]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>What kind of evidence would it take to convice us that the moon landings were fake?<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />What other evidence do you need ?<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mouUUWpEec0<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />