According to the latest NASA report, on Monday, October 26, the space agency will announce a “spectacular new discovery of the moon.”
Interestingly, the new results were provided by the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). This is the world's largest aerial observatory, in fact it is a Boeing 747SP aircraft modified to accommodate a large reflector telescope.
Unlike ground-based telescopes, SOFIA hovers about 11 kilometers above the ground, high in the stratosphere of our planet. The observatory rises above 99 percent of the atmosphere, which blocks infrared waves, allowing for exploration of the infrared universe.
SOFIA's instruments have previously provided oxygen detection in the Martian atmosphere, the first molecular bond detection in space, and countless infrared measurements that have illuminated exoplanet collisions, galactic hearts and more, including this stunning infrared view of the center of our own Milky Way below.
This time the observatory turned its gaze much closer to home. “The new discovery contributed to NASA's lunar exploration efforts in support of deep space exploration,” the agency said.
The media briefing was attended by Nasim Rangwala of NASA's Ames Research Center, who is a Scientist for the SOFIA mission, and Jacob Bleacher, Chief Scientist of NASA's Mission Office of Research and Operations.
We will learn more about the discovery on Monday, but NASA is making it clear that it will have something to do with the Artemis program – an ambitious plan to send humans back to the lunar surface in 2024 as a waypoint to begin exploration of Mars in the 2030s.
The audio briefing will be broadcast live on the agency's website on Monday, October 26th at 12:00 pm ET.
Sources: Photo: NASA
