A private space company, Firefly Aerospace, has achieved a historic milestone by launching its Blue Ghost moon lander on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and successfully landing on the moon. The 14-day mission is the longest commercial operation on the moon to date.
The spacecraft, which completed 100% of its mission objectives, captured high-definition images of the lunar sunset, including a photo that showed Venus in the distance. Scientists are excited to analyze these images for a mysterious phenomenon known as lunar horizon glow.
According to NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration Joel Kearns, the charged dust particles on the moon’s surface can cause dirt or bedrock to appear to dance in the sunlight due to electrostatic repulsion. This effect is believed to be responsible for the unusual features seen in the images.
As part of its mission, Blue Ghost carried out 10 experiments for NASA, including tracking GPS signals and robotically drilling into the lunar surface. The team is proud of the scientific discoveries made possible by the demonstration.
Although the lunar lander is not expected to survive the lunar night, the team plans to reactivate it in early April.
Source: https://people.com/photos-of-sunset-on-the-moon-arent-just-striking-they-could-offer-clues-to-mysterious-phenomenon-11699931