|
Author
|
Topic: Tribute: Illuminated Lunar Contact Light
|
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-20-2009 12:51 AM
   
A number of years ago I had previously energized the electroluminescent lighting and meters on one of Apollo lunar module panels (#3) in the collection but had not established the specific pinouts to enable the panel's Lunar Contact light. With the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11, there was sufficient incentive to work through the technical issues to trigger illumination of the Contact Light. Images below show (perhaps for the first time since Apollo 17) the light illuminated (in combination with the rest of the panel). Unfortunately the contact light is so bright (relative to the EL panel lighting) it overdrove the camera chip and (for this amateur photographer) made for a very challenging shot. Second image provided with the contact light extinguished and the third photograph is the rig kluged together to replicate the necessary power for the "event" (in the case of the Lunar Contact light, DC power is being inputted to pins which would have received voltage from the Lunar Surface Sensor Probes mounted on three of the four LM legs).  
|
freshspot
unregistered
|
posted 07-20-2009 03:49 AM
A fitting tribute, Scott. Thank you for sharing. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-20-2009 04:34 AM
Very neat Scott! Now I want a Contact Light night light...  |
space1
Member Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
|
posted 07-20-2009 05:39 AM
Thanks for your inspired efforts.OK, now we all want to see it ourselves and pretend we're on the moon. We'll all meet at your place tonight. You've got enough beer, right? |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-20-2009 07:37 AM
Gary Milgrom just post processed the image... the contrast enhanced photo has been reposted above (may require browser cache refresh to see it). Much better. Thanks Gary! |
andrewcli
Member Posts: 328
From: La Jolla, CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2007
|
posted 07-20-2009 10:51 AM
Very nice Scott! You should make a video with audio. |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 798
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
|
posted 07-20-2009 08:29 PM
Wonderful job Scott. |
E2M Lem Man
Member Posts: 846
From: Los Angeles CA. USA
Registered: Jan 2005
|
posted 07-20-2009 08:40 PM
I have seen some spacecraft artifacts - but that's special - Thanks, Scott! |
MadSci
Member Posts: 226
From: Maryland, USA
Registered: Oct 2008
|
posted 07-22-2009 11:44 PM
Scott - that's probably the neatest tribute anyone has done this year! I hope someone lurking here shows your photos to Buzz and Neil - who must have seen this in their minds a thousand time since 1969 and would love to see it again!(I agree, when does the Limited Edition 120VAC nite lite come out? I, err, my son, would love one in his, err, my room. ) |
skye12
Member Posts: 49
From: Austin, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2001
|
posted 08-01-2009 09:50 AM
That is really something. Very original. |
advertisement