Journal #6211
Posted 14 years ago2009-11-13 16:30:01 UTC
Hey, remember that space experiment a while back where they launched a rocket into space to smash into the Moon? Well, it looks like it was a success.
Clicky
Water on the Moon. And alot of it too. Maybe we can settle on the Moon once we're done with the earth me thinks.
Clicky
Water on the Moon. And alot of it too. Maybe we can settle on the Moon once we're done with the earth me thinks.
2 Comments
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Eh, its only been a month but yeah...
Perhaps you are unaware of the massive amount of data that an experiment such as LCROSS produces. Such a complex experiment does not just happen and "BAM!" you magically have your actual results. The data is taken over a period of time. Although it may seem short, with the processing speeds currently available even an hour's worth of data can more than fill a hard drive. Now I have to remind you that this is raw data, as in it is unprocessed voltage/resistance and other physical phenomena changes depending on the instrument used. That means you have to convert these readings into something understandable and usable. Now I have to remind you that there are multiple instruments taking data at the same time....
Do you see where I'm going with this? The actual amount of data taken is larger than you think. Sifting through it trying to make sense of it is one thing, converting it is another, then further analysis of the conversions to find out what your results are is yet another.
Then you get to repeat your calculations to make sure you made no mistakes and confirm your results.
To be honest I am suprised the announcement has come this early. For a result such as finding water on the closest celestial body to earth (this happens to be a "big" announcement), this day in age it is wise to make sure you are right before you go shooting your mouth off, only to lose credibility later when it comes out you made a mistake. Think of poor Galileo; At least all he got was ridicule and jail.
Short Answer:
It's only been a month and a half... but, yes, it did take them that long to get the results.