The Luna 19 spacecraft was unmanned. It lanched on 28th September 1971 and went into orbit on 3rd October 1971 (although some sources say it was the 2nd!).
It investigated mascons in the Maria on the Moon. Mascons are unusual concentrations of mass on a planet or moon's surface.
It also studied the Sun's magnetic field, carried by the solar wind!
Instruments included a Gamma-ray spectrometer, cosmic-ray detectors and radiation detectors - wow!
This year's weather was very different to the weather in 1971. It looks like it was warmer and dryer in 1971. On the 28th, the Moon was very clear but on the 3rd it was cloudy. Look at those photos!
yyyy mmm max min rain sun
temp temp mm hours
1971 Sep 19.0 8.2 18.6 157.5
1971 Oct 15.7 6.0 59.1 142.0
2017 Sep 17.3 9.3 88.6 116.8
(source: www.metoffice.gov.uk , 1971 temperatures are mean max/mins)
(first photo, 28th September / second photo, 3rd October)
Time 19:40 / 23:45.
Distance 250,359 / 237,085 miles.
First quarter phase / waxing gibbous phase.
180 degrees S compass point (azimuth) (both photos).
Altitude 17.1 / 29.8 degrees.
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