Efrain Morales Captures Tiangong Crossing 53-Mile Tycho Crater on the Moon
Updated
Updated · Space.com · Jun 28
Efrain Morales Captures Tiangong Crossing 53-Mile Tycho Crater on the Moon
1 articles · Updated · Space.com · Jun 28
Summary
Puerto Rico astrophotographer Efrain Morales filmed China’s Tiangong space station silhouetted against the moon at 11:33 p.m. EDT on May 29, with the outpost appearing to skim over Tycho Crater.
Less than 1 second long, the lunar transit required a 12-inch telescope, an astronomy camera and timing help from ISS Transit Finder, which Morales said still demanded last-minute position and timing adjustments.
The footage clearly showed Tiangong’s solar panels and habitable modules, with Mare Nubium and Mare Nectaris also visible around the 53-mile-wide crater on the southern lunar disk.
Tiangong orbits Earth at 217 to 280 miles and is currently occupied by three Shenzhou 23 taikonauts who launched aboard a 203-foot Long March 2F rocket on May 24.