June 22, 2015
Re-Projecting the Moon
Originally published June 21, 2004
 |
Image Credit: J-P Metsavainio |
|
Re-Projecting the Moon Because the Moon is a sphere all features away from the sub-Earth point are seen with distortion that becomes progressively more extreme as the limb is approached. Circular craters look more and more elliptical until, at the limb they are seen in profile. This perspective effect makes studies of the limb difficult, and although Lunar Orbiter 4 and Clementine have provided overhead views of nearly the entire Moon, sometimes telescopic images can reveal features not seen on the existing space images. Now Finnish lunar observer J-P Metsavainio has used the power of commercial software to undistort limb regions. I hope others will experiment with J-P's technique. In addition to exploring the limbs, you can center images over Imbrium to try your own mapping of that basin's rings. Or center on Crisium to see its real shape, or on Nectaris to appreciate its extensive system of radial features, or on Schiller to convince yourself of the reality of that multi-ring basin. There is new life in your old lunar images! Technical Details: Related Links: Yesterday's LPOD: Discover the Moon Tomorrow's LPOD: A Fundamental Relation |
Author & Editor: |
COMMENTS?
Register, Log in, and join in the comments.
