More issues with the Moon

Look at this. This is the monthly rotation of the moon.

It is not rotating it is wobbling.
This is a magnetic effect.

Gravity Anomaly Map of the Moon

This comes from The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency JAXA

Congratulations on such an excellent density map of Mascons on the Moon.

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Gravity Anomaly detected by using 4-way Doppler observation data from the RSTAR (OKINA) (RSAT)-New finding in study on the Origin of Dichotomy for the Moon-
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April 16, 2008 (JST)
Kyushu University
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

JAXA announced a new finding of a gravity anomaly for both the near side and far side of the Moon by using 4-way Doppler observation data from the RSTAR (OKINA) with the main orbiter, the KAGUYA.
1)Gravity Anomaly Map by the KAGUYA

2)Gravity Anomaly Map in prior to the KAGUYA

3)The Apollo basin(S36,W150)








Until now, the gravity anomaly of the far side of the Moon has not been understood well. The gravity anomaly, which was obscure before, has been clearly revealed through observations by the Kaguya mission. For instance, the gravity anomaly of a basin on the far side is found to be characterized by a negative anomaly in a ring like the Apollo basin. On the other hand, the gravity anomaly of the basin on the near side is uniformly positive over the region such as with the Mare Serenitatis. Thus, the clear difference in gravity anomaly on the near side and the far side has been newly discovered and this fact brings a different story about the structure of the underground and the history of the evolution of the far side and near side of the Moon.

The gravity anomaly map for many regions will be developed more precisely and show the difference of gravity anomaly between the near side and the far side by adding more observation data. The latest observation data by the Kaguya will play a key role to promote the study of the origin and the evolution of the Moon. In addition, highly accurate lunar gravity distribution data will be useful for future lunar explorers.

*Gravity anomaly: The lunar gravity field is not homogenous. Any region of the Moon with a higher than expected mass density will produce a gravity anomaly.

*Dichotomy of the Moon: Between the near side and the far side, clear asymmetry is called the "Dichotomy of the Moon" as in the thickness of the lunar crust and the distribution of the lunar Maria.
Gravity Anomaly Map at the Apollo basin

Gravity Anomaly Map at the Mare Serenitatis(N26,E19)









*RSAT/VRAD mission instrument team:
Kyushu University (RSAT Principle Investigator), NAOJ (VRAD: VLBI Satellite radio source Principle Investigator), Researchers from JAXA also participate as sub-PI or Co-I in the mission instrument team.

Current lunar gravity field models include large uncertainties on the far side of the Moon. For instance, the figure in the middle shows the current gravity distribution model for the Apollo basin by LP165P. The color of the figure shows strength of the gravity field in blue, green, yellow, and red, in that order. Red indicates a positive gravity anomaly related to either a topographic high or a dense material in the subsurface. In contrast, blue shows that a negative gravity anomaly related to a topographic low or less dense material. The gravity anomaly shown in the figure on the left hand side is processed by new data taken by the KAGUYA. The gravity anomaly in the Apollo basin is now identified as concentric rings of yellow, blue, and thin red from the center to outside.
*LP165P: Lunar gravity model developed by Konopliv et al.. incorporating tracking data from the Lunar Prospector spacecraft into a historical data set.

A new gravity anomaly map developed by the KAGUYA reveals that not only the Apollo basin, but many other basins on the far side of the Moon are characterized by a large negative gravity anomaly. Such a signature of far side gravity is distinguished from that on the near side. For example, the Mare Serenitatis, the representative basin on the near side, shows a strong positive (red color) gravity anomaly at the center of the basin (figure in the middle). The newly found difference of gravity anomaly on the near side and the far side gives us clues to important questions regarding the structure of the lunar interior and the formation of the far side and near side of the Moon. The gravity anomaly map will become more precise as more observation data is obtained by the KAGUYA. The latest observation data by the Kaguya will play a key role to promote a study of the origin and the evolution of the Moon. In addition, highly accurate lunar gravity distribution data will be used for future lunar explorations.

Four-way Doppler observation scheme









A schematic figure showing the principle of the four-way Doppler measurements of the Main Orbiter (KAGUYA) by using a relay satellite (OKINA). The uplink radio wave from the Usuda Deep Space Center (UDSC) is relayed to the Main Orbiter via the relay satellite (OKINA), which is returned to the UDSC via relay satellite (OKINA) again. Then the Doppler frequency is measured at the UDSC.

http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2008/04/20080416_kaguya_e.html
Copyright 2007 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Thanks to Curt Youngs for showing me this.

The face of the moon

Pic link

Why does the one face of the moon always point to the earth? I think it is because that side of the moon is more dense and is falling faster than the back side.

I am going to think about that!!!

Another Lunar Issue

I have been thinking about how Density(gravity) affects the Earth. We know that the tides are caused by the moon's Density(gravitational) effect on the Earth. The tidal period is 12h 25.2m, 1/2 of a tidal day.

An intuitive knowledge of physics, states that if the moon is closest to the Earth every other 12h 25.2m then we would see a high tide at those intervals. This means that the moon falls towards the sun every other 12h 25.2m also.

I think the sun and the earth are interacting on the moon. This can only occur if the moon is trailing the earth. With the earth moving around the sun, the earth's magnetic field creates a teardrop shape in the dark matter. As the dark matter is returning to equilibrium against the sun's alpha particles, the moon would be trailing in the tail of this teardrop. This 12h 25.2m period is the time it takes to move from one side of the tail to the other.

The moon does not actually orbit the cross-section of the teardrop tail in a elliptical orbit. It never goes above the focus that is on the plane with the sun.(well it goes slightly above the focus). There are 2 focii that account for this behavior. One is on the sun side of the tail furthest from the earth. The other is on the opposite side of the sun but is closest to the earth. This path is the lunar tidal period.

The moon moves kinda like a snowboarder in a 1/2 pipe run. This is inline with Peter Duffett-Smith's description of the lunar orbit of the sun.

"A celestial observer viewing the solar system from a great distance would not, however see the Moon making loops in space about the Earth. Rather, he would describe the situation by saying that the Moon is in orbit around the Sun, as is the Earth, and that the effect of the Earth's influence is to make the Moon's orbit wiggle a little as the relative positions of the Earth and Moon change. This is because the Sun's Gravitation force on the Moon is much greater than that of the Earth, even though the latter is nearer. "

Addendum: 4/29/09 : Predictions. I have been asked to make some predictions in my model. But this is a big one. The Moon follows the Earth as described above.

N-body problem and the Moon

The Earth Moon Sun gravitational relationship is a n-body problem. It is not a series of 2 body problems. This problem has stumped me since I was 11. I did not realize then that this was considered an impossible problem to solve. What really frustrates me is that the universe solves this problem so effortlessly. Its like an elegant ballet.

The general 2 body problem is F = -m₁m₂G / r^2

The problem I have with many n-body attempts continue the linear solution. Solve one set of 2 body problems and continue this until particle positions/velocities/... all have been solve. The problem here is that it never works.

Here is the reason why. Most of the solutions always return to a series of 2-d problems. The universe is at least 4-d. And Gravity is a function of density.

The best/most correct/closest solution I have found is that by Peter Duffet-Smith. His book "Practical Astronomy with your Calculator" has follow me most of my life. In this book he describes the moon's orbit.
"A celestial observer viewing the solar system from a great distance would not, however see the Moon making loops in space about the Earth. Rather, he would describe the situation by saying that the Moon is in orbit around the Sun, as is the Earth, and that the effect of the Earth's influence is to make the Moon's orbit wiggle a little as the relative positions of the Earth and Moon change. This is because the Sun's Gravitation force on the Moon is much greater than that of the Earth, even though the latter is nearer. "

This is a brilliant book. He should get a Nobel Prize just for that paragraph. And he is correct. Please buy his book. He even has great calculations to prove his theory. He needs to be planted firmly in the lexicon of great physicists.

Lunar orbit precession issue

If the moon orbits the earth every 28 days, the effect of gravity would cause tremendous precession on the night sky. Every 14 days the sky would move forward and every 14 days it would move backwards. Because the masses of the objects are such the precession would be more than noticeable. The two massive objects would be in jeopardy of collision.

I know how the moon moves with the earth. I just need to get it out. I have an idea on how to describe it.

I will have it out in a couple of days.