APOD: 2020 July 19 - Rotating Moon from LRO

Goof morning, Rallypoint. Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) is titled "Rotating Moon from LRO." The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) was launched in June 2009 and has been on station around the Moon since that time. Cameras aboard the LRO produced the images used to create this 24-second video clip. The Moon is tidally locked to the Earth, showing us only one side. An entire lunar month is captured here, beginning with the Earth-facing side of the Moon and its expanse of basaltic plains (lunar maria). As the video progresses, the lunar highlands come into view. Four new missions to the Moon already have crews identified. The first US launch is scheduled for 4Q 2022.