CLIB Frequently Asked Questions
Do the filenames have any meaning?
- The filenames can be broken down as follows: mission phase, sensor, filter, frame number, Latitude bin, orbit. For instance given the filename lud3114i.152:
- "l" - the image was taken during the lunar mapping phase of the mission.
- "u" - the images was taken with the ultraviolet-visible camera.
- "d" - filter d (950 nm) was used with the previously mentioned sensor.
- "3114" - indicates the frame number; the frame number is a unique identifier in each revolution.
- "i" - indicates the Latitude bin the image belongs in. Latitude bins are file groupings that begin with images of the Moon that are between -90 degrees and -80 degrees Latitude (bin a) and continue up through all Latitudes in 10 degree intervals.
- "." - separates frame number and revolution number.
- "152" - indicates the revolution number.
Where are the pictures of alien cities on the Moon?
- This is a question that gets asked from time to time. (Really it does!) Personally I haven't seen any evidence that alien lifeforms are or were there and I don't think you will either. In all fairness I haven't seen all 1.8 million images the Clementine spacecraft recorded so it's not impossible... I guess. ;) The bottom line is all 1.8 million images will be on-line eventually. Look all you want and please don't accuse me of being in on the conspiracy, I'm much too disorganized for that to be the case. :-)
What is the orientation of the images?
- The spacecraft recorded most of the images while it was pointing South. Consequently the majority or the data is oriented with the southern most part occurring at the top of the image. In order to make the browser consistent as well as friendly the images are rotated 180 degrees. There are some instances, perhaps 1%, in which the spacecraft had some other orientation and with the current data set we have no way of identifying in which images that is the case. Version 2 of the browser should eliminate this problem. Until then assume that the images are displayed with the Northern most part at the top but keep in mind that there are exceptions.
The form at the bottom of the page says the image that is displayed is different than what I requested. Didn't Clementine record data for that spot?
- Clementine recorded the most comprehensive and most detailed map of the moon ever! Because we wanted to make as much data open to the public as soon as possible there are some images that are not accounted for in the current tables that are used to determine which files go with a users request. Instead of giving the user an error message the Clementine Lunar Image Browser serves you the closest available image and informs you of it's associated parameters as not to fool you. As the CLIB has evolved occurrences of this have been greatly reduced.
- The Clementine spacecraft orbited the Moon for two months. A portion of the Moon was mapped more than once. (Usually the areas around the poles) The previous interface required you to choose which month of mapping you would like to have the data from. The newest data set compensates for the two mapping periods and CLIB serves you the best data for the location you indicate.
Are the Planetary Data System (PDS) files available?
- The majority of the PDS files are available through the Clementine File Server (CFS). If your facility uses the Andrew File System (AFS) you can simply "cd" to "/afs/fed/clementine/reformat". We will incorporate the transfer of PDS files in to most of the aspects of our WWW tools as hardware and time allows.
Who wants these images?
- We have had numerous inquires about the data from a variety of people. The reasons for their interest vary from those involved in scientific investigations of the Moon to those just curious. Please let us know what your interest is. It will help us better tailor the system to your needs.
Standard answer to most questions.
- Not yet. This is the version 1.5 of the Clementine Lunar Image Browser. Version 1.5+n will be better. There is a huge amount of data to be handled, cut me some slack ;) We are working very hard but on occasion we need to sleep otherwise we would make numerous errors. (yes, even more than we already have ;) If you have a suggestion, even if it's quite odd, please email Webmaster. Feedback helps a great deal!
Is there any more information?
- More information about the Clementine Lunar Image Browser is available on the CLIB Help page and the CLIB Information page. Information about the Deep Space Probe Science Experiment, Clementine is available. You are also encouraged to send mail to webmaster@www.nrl.navy.mil with your questions and comments.
Send comments to webmaster@www.nrl.navy.mil
