The KAGUYA has carried out global observations of the Moon for 17 months, ever since its launch on September 14,2007. The lunar orbiter has reportedly smashed into the moon, although the Japanese Exploration Agency (JAXA) has not officially confirmed this as a fact, as of this writing. The Anglo-Australian Telescope's IRIS2 has reportedly observed the flash of the spacecraft's impact at, or near, the predicted impact time. The impact site is in a highland created by a crater that's considered to be "ancient" and scientists are hopeful they will learn more about the composition of the Moon from observing the debris that will be ejected from the surface by the impact.
Satnews Daily
June 10th, 2009
JAXA's KAGUYA Offers A Smashing Show
The KAGUYA has carried out global observations of the Moon for 17 months, ever since its launch on September 14,2007. The lunar orbiter has reportedly smashed into the moon, although the Japanese Exploration Agency (JAXA) has not officially confirmed this as a fact, as of this writing. The Anglo-Australian Telescope's IRIS2 has reportedly observed the flash of the spacecraft's impact at, or near, the predicted impact time. The impact site is in a highland created by a crater that's considered to be "ancient" and scientists are hopeful they will learn more about the composition of the Moon from observing the debris that will be ejected from the surface by the impact.