12/17/2013 – Ephemeris – The Chinese have landed a rover on the Moon

Ephemeris for Tuesday, December 17th.  The sun will rise at 8:14.  It’ll be up for 8 hours and 49 minutes, setting at 5:03.   The moon, at full today, will rise at 5:45 this evening.

Over the weekend the Chinese landed a spacecraft on the moon with a rover.  The spacecraft was Chang’E 3 and the third of their successful lunar spacecraft.  Name after an ancient moon goddess it deposited a rover named Yutu, or Jade Rabbit named for the goddess’ pet rabbit.  The aim point was to be the beautiful Bay of Rainbows or Sinus Iridium, but it landed just outside it in Mare Imbrium, the Sea of Showers.  Some astronomers think that the actual landing spot is more interesting mineralogically speaking than the original aim point.  Both Chang’E and Yutu are solar powered  and it’s difficult to see them surviving the two-week lunar night,  Night will fall on the site on December 25th or 26th.  Give the Chinese credit though for a flawless landing.

Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan.  They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Chang’E 3 as seen from the Yutu rover.  There’s a lot more pictures and information from Emily Lakdawalla’s Planetary Society Blog, where I got this picture link from.