The Remarkable Story of How Tucson Mapped The Way To The Moon And Planets

Have you ever wondered how scientists were able to navigate space probes accurately to the Moon and planets? Look no further than Tucson, Arizona – the city that played a pivotal role in paving the way for lunar and planetary exploration. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating history of Tucson's contribution to space exploration and how its advancements in mapping technology opened up new frontiers in space.

1. Mapping the Wild West

Tucson has a rich history in mapping, dating back to the Wild West era. Explorers and cartographers recognized the importance of accurate maps for navigation, trade, and settlement. Tucson became a strategic location for mapping due to its position along major trade routes and proximity to uncharted territories.

The Tucson Cacti Survey

One notable mapping project was the Tucson Cacti Survey, commissioned in the late 19th century. It aimed to document the various species of cacti in the region and map their locations. This survey provided valuable insights into the flora of the area, which proved crucial for future explorations.

Under Desert Skies: How Tucson Mapped the Way to the Moon and Planets

by Melissa L. Sevigny (First Edition, Kindle Edition)

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2. The Birth of The Lunar Mapping Program

In the 1960s, Tucson's mapping expertise caught the attention of NASA during the Apollo missions. The agency recognized the need for precise maps of the Moon's surface to aid in landing astronauts safely and selecting landing sites. As a result, the Lunar Mapping Program was born, with Tucson playing a central role.

Tucson's Lunar Mapping Team

A team of talented scientists and cartographers from the University of Arizona in Tucson was assembled to lead the Lunar Mapping Program. Their mission was to create detailed maps using images captured by lunar orbiters and later by astronauts on the Apollo missions.

3. Advancements in Mapping Technology

Tucson's involvement in the Apollo missions led to significant advancements in mapping technology that revolutionized lunar and planetary exploration. These advancements included:

Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry, a technique to obtain accurate measurements from photographs, was extensively used to create three-dimensional maps of the Moon's surface. Tucson's experts in photogrammetry refined this technique and applied it to the vast amount of lunar imagery captured.

Laser Altimetry

Tucson's mapping team also pioneered the use of laser altimetry, a method to measure the height of surface features. By bouncing laser beams off the Moon's surface, they could create precise elevation maps, improving our understanding of the Moon's topography and aiding in mission planning.

4. Tucson's Ongoing Contribution

Tucson's legacy in space exploration didn't end with the Apollo missions. The city continued to make significant contributions to planetary mapping, aiding missions to Mars, Venus, and beyond.

The HiRISE Project

One notable project is the HiRISE (High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Led by the University of Arizona, this project provides unprecedented high-resolution images of Mars, allowing scientists to study the planet's surface in exceptional detail.

Tucson's remarkable journey from mapping the Wild West to mapping the Moon and planets demonstrates the city's vital role in advancing space exploration. The accuracy and precision of its maps have not only helped guide astronauts safely to their destinations but also expanded our understanding of celestial bodies. Thanks to Tucson's continuous commitment to innovation, the city remains at the forefront of planetary mapping, paving the way for future explorations of uncharted territories in our solar system.

Under Desert Skies: How Tucson Mapped the Way to the Moon and Planets

by Melissa L. Sevigny (First Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4328 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	184 pages

FREE

President Kennedy’s announcement that an American would walk on the Moon before the end of the 1960s took the scientific world by surprise. The study of the Moon and planets had long fallen out of favor with astronomers: they were the stuff of science fiction, not science.

An upstart planetary laboratory in Tucson would play a vital role in the nation’s grand new venture, and in doing so, it would help create the field of planetary science. Founded by Gerard P. Kuiper in 1960, the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL) at the University of Arizona broke free from traditional astronomical techniques to embrace a wide range of disciplines necessary to the study of planets, including geology, atmospheric sciences, and the elegant emerging technology of spacecraft. Brash, optimistic young students crafted a unique sense of camaraderie in the fledgling institution. Driven by curiosity and imagination, LPL scientists lived through—and, indeed, made happen—the shattering transition in which Earth’s nearest neighbors became more than simple points of light in the sky.

Under Desert Skies tells the story of how a small corner of Arizona became Earth’s ambassador to space. From early efforts to reach the Moon to the first glimpses of Mars’s bleak horizons and Titan’s swirling atmosphere to the latest ambitious plans to touch an asteroid, LPL’s history encompasses humanity’s unfolding knowledge about our place in the universe.