Active Astronomy - Tracking The Moon By Laser

Carroll Alley

doi:10.1117/12.953828

1 March 1974 Active Astronomy - Tracking The Moon By Laser

Carroll Alley

Proceedings Volume 0041, Developments in Laser Technology II; (1974) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.953828
Event: Annual Technical Symposium, 1973, San Diego, United States

Abstract

Over the last five years NASA has supported ranging on the lunar surface with a ruby laser. l'2 The laser was constructed by the KORAD Corporation and is installed at the McDonald Observatory in Texas. The laser emits a 20 joule 30 nanosecond pulse. Of the returning signal, collected by the McDonald telescope, approximately on: photoelectron is produced. The photomultiplier on the telescope is range gated to reduce the background. Signal averaging techniques are used. With this whole system one can measure distance from McDonald Observatory to the moon to an accuracy of A,10 centimeters. Experiments are aimed at determining more precisely the orbit of the moon. Better knowledge of the orbit of the moon can be used to determine more accurately the shape of the earth. Future experi-ments were described in which laser ranging would be done simul-taneously from different points on the earth, i. e. , different stations. These measurements would afford a means of predicting continental drifts and early prediction of earthquakes. Ideally, it would be better to have a more intense laser and a laser which emitted in the green where photomultipliers are more sensitive. Funding for these necessary improvements have not been forthcoming.

Citation Download Citation

Carroll Alley "Active Astronomy - Tracking The Moon By Laser", Proc. SPIE 0041, Developments in Laser Technology II, (1 March 1974); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.953828

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KEYWORDS

Ranging

Astronomy

Distance measurement

Observatories

Photomultipliers

Telescopes

Earthquakes

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