Examining NASA’s Moon Photos: Authenticity Under Scrutiny
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Chapter 1: Introduction to the Controversy
Recently, we shared a collection of astonishing space images, which raised questions about their authenticity. Naturally, one particular photo ignited discussions regarding whether it was genuine or fabricated.
The image in question was captured by the DSCOVR spacecraft, primarily tasked with monitoring Earth's climatic conditions. Observers noted peculiarities in the relative dimensions of the Moon and Earth, along with the Moon's apparent lack of axial rotation despite the Earth showcasing significant movement.
In this section, we will investigate the validity of these skepticism.
Section 1.1: Relative Sizes of the Moon and Earth
Concerns regarding the relative sizes of the Moon and Earth emerged when viewers scrutinized the image. Thankfully, the known distances from the DSCOVR spacecraft to both celestial bodies, along with their respective diameters, allow us to perform straightforward calculations. For this, we can apply the angular size formula, which is derived from basic geometry principles.
The Moon's diameter is approximately 3,474.2 km, while the Earth’s measures about 12,742 km. The DSCOVR is roughly 1,440,000 km away from Earth, and the distance to the Moon is calculated by subtracting the distance between the Moon and Earth (384,400 km) from this total, yielding 1,055,600 km.
Through these calculations, we derive the angular sizes of the Earth and Moon as 0.00884 and 0.00329 radians, respectively. Thus, the Moon's angular size should represent about 37.2% of that of the Earth. Measurements from the image indicate that the Moon’s size is around 36.5% of the Earth’s, a minor discrepancy explained by rounding or the elliptical nature of the Moon's orbit. Therefore, the claim that the dimensions in the photo are inaccurate is unfounded.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Moon's Apparent Lack of Rotation
Observers have also pointed out that, while the Earth appears to have rotated significantly, the Moon seems static. However, by overlaying images of the Moon captured at the beginning and end of the video, we can observe that a minimal rotation did occur.
To determine the expected rotation, we can again turn to basic geometry. NASA indicates that the DSCOVR camera’s field of view is 0.61 degrees, and since it is positioned approximately 1,055,600 km from the Moon, we can easily compute the necessary angle of the Moon’s orbit that fits within this view.
Constructing an isosceles triangle with the vertex at the spacecraft's location allows us to calculate the length of the base representing the Moon's orbit. Given a base of approximately 11,183 km, we find that the corresponding angle is about 1.68 degrees—indicating the Moon's rotation during the time it was in the DSCOVR's view.
The assumption that the Moon should have rotated significantly more is a misunderstanding rooted in optical illusion caused by the Earth's rapid rotation relative to the Moon. Thus, both assertions regarding the photo's authenticity are inaccurate, stemming from estimations rather than factual calculations, which demonstrate that the image aligns with expected observations.
Chapter 2: Further Exploration of Lunar Imagery
This video titled "Photographer Examines IF NASA Moon Photos Are FAKE?" delves into the authenticity of NASA's lunar images, dissecting common myths and misconceptions surrounding them.
In another insightful video, "The Proof Is Out There: The Moon's Dark History Revealed (Season 1)," the discussion continues on the intriguing aspects of lunar exploration and the mysteries that have emerged over time.
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