[Laser] pictures from the Moon

[laser@mailman.qth.net]

If I want to make a tuna sandwich, I go to the store and buy a can of tuna 
that was caught by professionals (who can fish better than I can) and packed at 
a cannery by professionals (who can do it better than I can), and shipped to 
my local store by professionals (who can do it better than I can).

If I want to take my grandson fishing, it is not because I need the fish to 
feed him.  It is not because I am better qualified to teach him how to fish.  I 
is certainly not because I feel that he needs to become a professional 
fisherman.  There may be other reasons that I do not understand, but mainly I think 
that it is because it is something that I enjoy doing with my grandson.  
Fishing is something that I enjoy and I think that he will enjoy.

What has taking my grandson fishing (or me fixing a tuna sandwich) got to do 
with the idea of puting a camera on the Moon?  Well, I don't really know.  Why 
do people play golf?  Why did they send up OSCAR?  Why have they sent up so 
many more after the first one?

OK.  I would be happy if they just stuck a laser pointer in the Lunar dust 
with a driver circuit to send "Howdy" in Morse code.  That is, I would be happy 
if it sent a spark of desire to learn about science and technology into 
thousands of kids around the globe.  

I think that a permanent manned lunar station should be built. If it is 
built, there will be something similar to OSCAR or SAREX or ARISS connected to it.  
I would hope that it could be done without the "huge expense" you suggest.

I was a teacher, not that I was good at it.  I have the desire to encourage 
others to learn, particularly youth.  I thought, "what might make people look 
up at the Moon, and want to find out more about what is up there, or how things 
work, or ask questions.





I was trying to take my grandson fishing, not fix a tuna sandwich.  I hope 
that answers your question.  Thank you for asking.

James
N5GUI



############################################

In a message dated 2/22/2004 10:57:11 PM Central Standard Time, jfor@quik.com 
writes:
Why make it so complicated ?  There are already a number of geosynchronous 
and other
satellites that image the earth in many spectral ranges and resolutions 
24/7/365. Some of
the images are available freely. hat's to be gained with the huge expense of 
a lunar
observatory for earth?

FWIW,

-John