Honestly! What the heck Western News Media? (The Guardian excluded) I think it would be nice to know about humanity once again visiting our moon and doing sciency things, maybe report on it?
China on Friday broadcast pictures taken by its rover and lander on the far side of the moon, in what its space programme hailed as another triumph for the groundbreaking mission.
The pictures, shown on the state broadcaster CCTV, showed the Jade Rabbit 2 rover and the Chang’e 4 spacecraft that transported it during the first soft landing on the side of the moon that always faces away from Earth.
The pictures were transmitted by a relay satellite to a control centre in Beijing, although it was not immediately clear when they were taken.
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When you look up at the full moon, you only ever see one face, but scientists believe that the far side, eternally hidden from view, may hold the key to fundamental mysteries about the moon’s formation. Last week, a Chinese spacecraft made history by becoming the first to land on the far side of the moon. Today, China shared pictures showing a rocky surface with the jagged edges of craters in the background. Among the images is this 360-degree panorama stitched together from 80 photos. Researchers hope that low-frequency observations of the cosmos from the far side of the moon, where radio signals from Earth are blocked, will help scientists learn more about the early days of the solar system and the birth of the universe’s first stars. The pioneering landing also highlights China’s ambitions to rival the US, Russia and Europe with its space programme.
Photo: CNSA
Go Chinese space agency!
bleatmop
Mystro
The Arbourist
Dead Wild Roses 
4 comments
January 19, 2019 at 3:49 pm
Bill Malcolm
Sadly, with China’s recent over-the-top reaction to Canada’s detention of the Huawei exec for possible extradition to the US, and with such a splendiferous chap as the Chinese Ambassador descending into a 90 minute lecture/rant in Ottawa the other day about how we should pull our socks up and obey the Beijing authoritarian leaders proclamations or bear the consequences, I’m seeing that the leopard has finally revealed its spots. And they’re not very nice ones.
I have seen those lunar photos because I read the alternative press. It’s true our media has been remiss, but try and find Russian news of any kind either, for the past six years. The US State Dept and NATO have deemed it unnecessary except when they decide periodically that the Russkies need a damn good bollicking to justify continued sanctions, whether really justified or not. State Dept press releases are Canada’s official foreign policy, for the colonialized abject poodles we are. Even the progressives just want to diss Putin in preference to giving us any news of the country and its people. We’re hermetically sealed into receiving canned news our political elite deems appropriate. Meanwhile, consume and keep quiet and remember, you’re free.
I’m entirely unhappy with the US, China and Russia. They boss everyone else around because they can. China operates with a smile along the Silk Road, Africa and South America compared to the US policy of bombing or invading first and asking questions later – then freaks out like a child in a tantrum when they consider the chips are down. Like with us. It’s childish unvarnished bullying. No holds barred bullying. Gave themselves away, silly people. I guess the one I hate the least is Russia – they’re “merely” blatantly homophobic and hemmed in by American military bases while being accused of aggression by our top level dimwitz for holding military exercises within their own borders.
A pox on them all. Nice pictures though. I’m afraid I’m in a bit of a one handed-clap mood with those blighters at the moment.
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January 19, 2019 at 5:59 pm
john zande
Thank you, yes! A thousand times, YES. I’ve been more than just a little pissed with this sad episode of “Ignore the Chinese.” Yes, they eat dogs and cats, and for that I hate them on the terrestial level, but when it comes to space we’re in it together and their success here should be celebrated.
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January 20, 2019 at 1:22 pm
The Arbourist
@ Bill Malcom
It sounds like you are familiar with the role our fine and fiercely independent media plays in our society.
Are there any sources that you find particularly good? I can usually count on Al-Jazeera for good coverage of most issues. I also peruse Counterpunch and The Guardian once and awhile.
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January 20, 2019 at 1:24 pm
The Arbourist
@ JZ
The whole ‘official enemy’ thing is just dumb, news is news. Please leave patriotic journalism to FOX and have the regular media just do their darn jobs.
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