Eating Static from the Moon…

Xinhua reported today that Chang’e 4 entered lunar orbit at about 08:39 UTC on Dec 12th.  No amateur observers reported observing the event; however, three highly competent amateur observers in Europe shared observations hours after the lunar orbit insertion burn was executed. No evidence of a signal from Chang’e 4 has been noted since my loss of signal earlier on Dec 12th.  I later conducted similar observations and searched around the Moon for the signal and found nothing we can relate to Chang’e 4. Only signals from Chang’e 5T-1 and Queqiao where noted.

[UPDATED – Dec 13th, 2018]

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A Trip to the Dark Side of the Moon?

On December 7th, 2018 at 1823 UTC the Chinese launched the much anticipated Chang’e 4 mission to the far side of the Moon.  Unfortunately, the launch was not broadcast live nor has there been much in the way of official word on what is going on with the mission.  Fortunately, we have both the Chang’e program history and Chang’e 4’s transmitter to help us fill in the blanks of what to expect and witness history in realtime without a filter.

So for those not accustomed to watching a space first unfold in the language of the Doppler effect here’s a primer of what has happened and what to expect.