Can you actually do this?(laser shooting to moon)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of using lasers to measure distances to the moon, particularly in relation to the lunar laser ranging experiments conducted during the Apollo missions. Participants explore the historical context, technical aspects, and implications of these experiments.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that it is possible to bounce lasers off the moon, referencing the lunar laser ranging experiments as evidence.
  • One participant describes the design of a mirrored target that could reflect laser light back to its source, suggesting a specific geometric configuration.
  • Another participant highlights the historical context, mentioning that both the US and the Soviet Union were reportedly bouncing lasers off the moon prior to the Apollo 11 mission.
  • Some participants note the precision of current measurements, indicating that NASA can measure the moon's distance to millimeter resolution, although there is uncertainty about the exact precision achievable.
  • There is a mention of the Apollo missions and the experiments left on the moon, which some participants use to counter claims made by Apollo hoax believers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that lasers can be used to measure distances to the moon and that experiments were conducted during the Apollo missions. However, there are varying degrees of certainty regarding the precision of these measurements and the implications for discussions about the Apollo missions.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on specific definitions of precision and may depend on the context of the experiments discussed. There are unresolved questions about the exact capabilities of the lunar laser ranging experiments compared to other methods.

supernova1203
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Found this on youtube, wasnt sure if this is actually possible, i never heard of the astronauts actually leaving stuff on the moon.

 
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Yes. If you leave a mirrored target shaped like the intersection of 3 walls of a cube, the light will come directly back to the area from which the pulse was fired.
 
supernova1203 said:
Found this on youtube, wasnt sure if this is actually possible, i never heard of the astronauts actually leaving stuff on the moon.



Look up the apollo missions on wikipedia. You can find plenty of info on the experiments left behind.
 
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It's a good point to mention to Apollo hoax believers, they tend to start mumbling when you point out that there is proof that stuff was left behind.
 
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Yes it is incredible, even 40 years later. As a consequence Nasa can measure the moon's distance to millimeter resolution( maybe more , not sure). They also use it to help calculate the orbit of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. I have to assume it has been used to impress a woman at one point in time also.
 
But, not with the precision achievable with LLRE. It's been nailed down to a matter of millimeters now.
 

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