Moon. The reverse side: history and modern data

More than other space objects from ancient times attracted the person of the Moon. The reverse side of it, hidden from the terrestrial observer, generated many fantasies and legends, associated with all the mysterious and incomprehensible. Scientific study of the inaccessible satellite sector began in 1959, when it was photographed by the Soviet station Luna-3. Since then, data on the back side of the night luminary has significantly increased, but the number of issues associated with it has decreased slightly.

Synchronization

Today, almost everyone knows what is causing one of the main features that characterize the moon. The reverse side of the satellite is hidden from the observer located on the Earth, because of the synchronization of the motion of the night star around the axis and our planet. The time required for one revolution is the same in both cases. It should be noted that the reverse side of the satellite is illuminated by the Sun in exactly the same way as the visible one. The epithet "dark", often used to characterize this region of the Moon, is applied rather in a figurative sense: "hidden", "unknown".

It is likely that after a while the Earth will also be turned towards its satellite by only one part of it. To complete synchronization, the mutual impact of two cosmic bodies can result. Examples of a system with a similar coincidence of periods of motion are Pluto and Charon - both bodies are constantly turned towards the companion by the same side.

Libration

From our planet, we can observe more than half the surface of the satellite, about 59%. This is explained by the so-called librations - visible oscillations of the satellite. Their essence lies in the fact that the orbit of the Moon's revolution around the planet is somewhat elongated. As a result, the speed of the object's movement changes and ligration in the longitude arises: the terrestrial observer alternately becomes visible part of the surface, then in the east, then in the west.

The inclination of the satellite axis also affects the increase in the area available for viewing. It causes libration in latitude: from the Earth it becomes visible that the north, then the south pole of the Moon.

Secrets of the century: the reverse side of the moon

The study of the satellite with the help of spacecraft began in 1959. Then two Soviet stations reached the night sky. "Luna-2" was the first vehicle in history to reach a satellite (this happened on September 13, 1959). "Luna-3" photographed about half the surface of the cosmic body, with two-thirds of the captured was on the opposite side. The data was transferred to Earth. Thus began the study of the moon from the "dark", hidden side.

The first Soviet photographs were of rather poor quality due to the peculiarities of technical development at that time. However, they allowed us to see some of the nuances of the surface and give names to certain areas of the relief. The Soviet designation of objects was recognized throughout the world and fixed on the maps of the Moon.

The modern stage

Today the map of the far side of the moon is made up completely. Some of the latest data on it were received by American astronomers in 2012. They noticed geological neoplasms on a surface hidden from the earth's observer, indicating a longer geological activity of the satellite than previously thought.

Today, new space exploration of the moon is planned. According to many astronomers, the satellite of our planet is a great place to place extraterrestrial bases in the future. And so you need a precise understanding of the features of the surface of the object. The study helps, in particular, to answer the question of where it is best to land a spaceship: on the reverse side of the Moon or on the visible part of it.

Features

After a more detailed study of the part of the satellite hidden from observation, it became clear that its surface is largely different from the visible half. The huge dark spots, which invariably adorn the face of the night light, are a constant attribute, which differs from the Moon visible from the Earth. The reverse side, however, practically does not have such objects (in astronomy they are called seas). There are only two seas - the Sea of Moscow and the Sea of Dreams, with a diameter of 275 and 218 km respectively. The most characteristic objects for the reverse side are craters. They are found on the entire surface of the satellite, but this is where their concentration is greatest. And many of the largest craters are also located on the reverse side.

Giants

Among the most impressive objects of the reverse side of the satellite of our planet is a huge depression. The basin, approximately 12 deep and 2,250 kilometers wide, is the largest similar formation in the entire solar system. The dimensions of the craters of Hertzsprung and the Queen are also striking. The diameter of the first is nearly 600 km, and the depth is 4 km. Korolyov has fourteen smaller craters on its territory. Their sizes range from 12 to 68 km in diameter. The radius of the crater is 211.5 km.

The moon (the reverse side and the visible part), according to scientists, is a source of minerals that can be very useful to mankind in the future. Satellite research is therefore necessary. The moon is a real candidate for the location of extraterrestrial bases, scientific and industrial. In addition, due to relative proximity, the satellite is a suitable object for training the skills of manned flights and testing of technologies and engineering systems designed specifically for the conquest of space.