                                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

   Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured,
                    along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

                                                2019 July 27

                                            Chandrayaan 2 Launch
                                   Image Credit & Copyright: Neeraj Ladia

   Explanation: On July 22nd this GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) MkIII rocket vanished
   from sight into a cloud bank an instant after this dramatic snapshot was taken. Launched from India's
   Satish Dhawan Space Centre it carried the Chandrayaan 2 mission spacecraft into Earth orbit. The
   spacecraft's orbiter, lander, and rover are destined for the Moon, though. In the coming weeks it will
   perform a series of orbit raising maneuvers, eventually transferring to lunar orbit in early
   September. Carrying the solar-powered rover, the lander is scheduled to separate and attempt its
   autonomous soft landing at high latitudes near the lunar south pole. It should arrive on the lunar
   nearside near local sunrise and the start of a two Earth-week long lunar day on September 7.

                                 Tomorrow's picture: Infrared North America
     _________________________________________________________________________________________________

                      Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
                            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
                               NASA Web Privacy Policy and Important Notices
                                      A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC
                                            & Michigan Tech. U.
