...of the spacecraft into the moon? I saw an Instagram post saying a spacecraft or a big part of one is going to collide with the surface of the moon t 0244 hours on August 5 (which is now today). Since one often cannot depend upon any claims made on Instagram, I did some checking to confirm that.
I just checked online and found an article from Forbes saying this is supposed to happen at 06:35 UTC, which here in Arkansas translates to 0135 hours. Quite the difference from 0244, that even if 0244 was supposed to be EDT, which would have made it 0144 in CDT. A few minutes could mean maybe missing it as it happens; although, given what may be seen from earth, that result may be visible for hours if not days or longer.
If you are looking up to see it, the actual crash, of the SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage rocket (as per Forbes), will not be visible even with powerful telescopes. What it is guessed may be seen is the resultant dust cloud that collision may kick up; I suspect that with the much lower pull of gravity on our moon than on earth, the dust cloud may remain over the impact area for quite some extended time. Right now, as I type, it is 1247 hours; so, there are only 48 minutes for me to wait, give or take whatever their estimate may be off by. I plan to be looking up at the moon (which is a half moon tonight) at least 10 minutes early and will look for some time afterward if I do not see it by 0135 CDT.
As for what I plan to use to see it; well, I do not have a telescope but I do have a 16X50 pair of binoculars. I also have a 10x50 pair but have not found where the monster in my closet, or maybe the goblins, gnomes, dust bunnies or elves hid those. (Of course, it could be that I simply forgot where I put them.) Anyway, the 16 power pair is ready and waiting. The only bad thing about them is the slightest movement makes the view go sort of helter-skelter all over the place. While they are stronger than the 10 power pair, the weaker ones allow a much steadier view.
If you are watching, enjoy the show if there is indeed one to enjoy. The rocket is supposed to hit the sunny side of the moon but since it is only a half moon tonight I guess it has to hit the lit up part to be able to see the result.
Addendum: I just checked another site, Earth Sky, and they had a very informative photo for where it is believed the rocket will smash into the moon. It reportedly will be on the lit up side of the half moon (good news) and will be on the outer edge of the viewable moon at somewhere (about halfway) between the numbers 10 and 11 on an analog clock (we old timers understand that, you youngsters need to figure it out if you do not know). Good luck if you are watching the skies/moon tonight.
All the best,
Glenn B
