Moon's terrain to be examined by Artemis space travelers through visual observations

More than five decades after the first human expedition circled the Moon, the Artemis astronauts are set to replicate this achievement on Monday, utilizing a fundamental tool to examine the lunar surface: their own eyesight.

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Despite significant technological strides since the Apollo era, NASA still heavily relies on the visual observations of its astronauts to garner a deeper understanding of the Moon, with Kelsey Young, the lead scientist for the Artemis 2 mission, noting that the human eye surpasses any camera in its capabilities.

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Young emphasized that the human eye boasts a vast number of receptors, far exceeding those found in cameras, and excels in capturing color, context, and photometric observations, making it an invaluable asset for scientific study.

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The unique ability of the human eye to detect subtle color shifts and comprehend how lighting affects surface details will be crucial in the Artemis 2 mission, as astronauts will observe the Moon's surface and note the effects of angled lighting on texture and color.

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Artemis 2 astronaut Victor Glover, who pilots the Orion spacecraft, referred to the human eye as a "magical instrument" prior to liftoff, highlighting its significance in the mission.

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To maximize their proximity to the Moon, the four Artemis 2 crew members underwent an extensive training program spanning over two years, aimed at transforming them into "field scientists" through a combination of classroom instruction, geological expeditions, and simulated flybys.

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The training regimen, led by Young, included memorization of the Moon's "Big 15" features, which will enable the astronauts to orient themselves, as well as practice sessions using an inflatable Moon globe to observe the effects of sunlight on the lunar surface.

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The Artemis 2 crew, comprising American astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, are now well-prepared for the mission, according to Young, who expressed confidence in their abilities.

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The primary objective of the Artemis 2 mission is to study specific lunar sites and phenomena, selected by NASA based on scientific interest, with the crew set to observe the Moon with their naked eyes and onboard cameras during the several-hour flyby.

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Noah Petro, head of NASA's planetary geology lab, described the Moon's appearance during the flyby, stating that it will resemble "a basketball held at arm's length," and expressed interest in whether the astronauts will be able to discern colors on the lunar surface.

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David Kring of the Lunar and Planetary Institute tempered expectations, noting that the mission is unlikely to yield groundbreaking discoveries, given the extensive lunar probes and high-resolution images obtained since the Apollo era.

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However, Kring acknowledged the significance of having astronauts provide firsthand descriptions of the Moon's surface, an experience that will be novel for multiple generations, with the Artemis 2 flyby set to be broadcast live by NASA, except for a period when the spacecraft is behind the Moon.

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Young expressed enthusiasm for the mission, stating that the astronauts' descriptions will be "incredible" and that even the practice simulations have been captivating, leaving her "absolutely confident" in the crew's ability to deliver valuable insights.