Exploration of the Moon

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The physical exploration of the Moon began when Luna 2, a space probe launched by the Soviet Union, impacted the surface of the Moon on September 14, 1959. Prior to that the only available means of exploration had been observation. The invention of the optical telescope brought about the first leap in the quality of lunar observations. Galileo Galilei is generally credited as the first person to use a telescope for astronomical purposes; having made his own telescope in 1609, the mountains and craters on the lunar surface were among his first observations using it.

In 1969, Project Apollo first successfully landed people on the Moon. They placed scientific experiments there and returned rocks and data that suggested the Moon is of a similar composition to the Earth.

For more information about Exploration of the Moon, read the full article at Wikipedia.
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News tagged with lunar probe

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China is set to launch its second moon orbiter next October, state media have reported

China to launch second lunar probe: state media

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

2 hours ago | 5 / 5 (2) | 0

China will launch its second moon orbiter next October, state media reported Friday, as it powers ahead with a space programme that has sparked concerns abroad.

China has completed a high-resolution, three-dimensional map of the entire surface of the moon

China says completes 3D moon map

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Sep 29, 2009 | 4.3 / 5 (3) | 1

China has completed a high-resolution, three-dimensional map of the entire surface of the moon, in an important step towards a future lunar landing, an expert involved in the project said Tuesday.

NASA's new moon probe sends back moon shots

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Jun 24, 2009 | 3.1 / 5 (8) | 5

(AP) -- NASA's new lunar probe launched less than a week ago has already sent back some shots of the moon.

Japan's first lunar probe ends mission

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Jun 11, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

(AP) -- Japan's first lunar probe made a controlled crash landing on the moon Thursday, successfully completing a 19-month mission to study the Earth's nearest neighbor, Japan's space agency said.

Models of the Long March rocket at the Sichuan Science and Technology Museum in Chengdu

China plans space station with module launch in 2010

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Mar 01, 2009 | 5 / 5 (6) | 1

China will launch a space module next year and carry out the nation's first space docking in 2011 as a step towards its goal of building a space station, state media said Sunday.