Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Jul 10, 2009 0:55:55 GMT -6
Moon Crater To Be Designated In Memoriam
Of Legendary Entertainer Michael Jackson
Of Legendary Entertainer Michael Jackson
Well, I guess since he did the Moon walk, that a crater should be named for him....like there are not plenty to choose from...
New York (6 July 2009 LT) — The Lunar Republic Society has announced that a crater on Earth's Moon will be renamed "Michael Joseph Jackson" in honor of the celebrated entertainer, who passed away on June 25, 2009.
The crater, previously designated as Posidonius J, is located in the Moon's Lake of Dreams (Lacus Somniorum). It measures approximately 22 kilometers (about 13.5 miles) in diameter, and is located adjacent to a 1,200-acre parcel owned by Michael Jackson in the Lake of Dreams.
The decision to designate the crater in Jackson's honor came following a special session of the Lunar Republic Society's governing board on Monday morning. The designation proposal had been widely suggested during the week by fans and fellow landowners following Mr. Jackson's untimely and unfortunate passing last month.
Mr. Jackson (1958-2009) was among the largest private owners of Lunar property claims. In addition to his significant parcel in the Lake Of Dreams, which he obtained in 2005, he also owned a smaller property in the Sea Of Vapours (Mare Vaporum).
The crater shall be officially designated as "Michael Joseph Jackson" in order to differentiate it from the existing "Jackson," a 71-kilometer crater on the Lunar far side named for the renowned Scottish astronomer John Jackson (1887-1958).
Full story here: www.lunarrepublic.com/mj/index.shtml
Here are more images of the area:
(Images from Clementine and The Full Moon Atlas)
Interesting that Jackson's crater isn't all that far from two Apollo landing sites and a Russian unmanned landing probe.
The Red 21 indicates the landing site of the Russian Luna 21 mission, while the Green 15 and 17 arrows indicate the Apollo 15 and Apollo 17 landing sites.
The area is visible naked eye on the upper right of the Moon, and easily observed through telescopes. I will attempt to spot the M. Jackson crater myself telescopically...and do a Moonwalk when I do.
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The story also states that Jackson owned a large parcel of Lunar property.
OWNER(S): Michael Joseph Jackson
REGISTRATION DATE: 21 JUNE 2005
RECORD NO.: 13633
FILE NO.: 36500437P
MICHAEL JOSEPH JACKSON
(ADDRESS WITHHELD) /TAVASCI
(ADDRESS WITHHELD)
SHERMAN OAKS CA 91423-2311
21 JUNE 2005 (P)
LAKE OF DREAMS - LACUS SOMNIORUM
1200 ACRES INCLUSIVE - 9846-11045
US$27.40/ACRES (US$32,880)
DISCOUNT GRANTED 20% - COURTESY
REGISTRATION DATE: 21 JUNE 2005
RECORD NO.: 13633
FILE NO.: 36500437P
MICHAEL JOSEPH JACKSON
(ADDRESS WITHHELD) /TAVASCI
(ADDRESS WITHHELD)
SHERMAN OAKS CA 91423-2311
21 JUNE 2005 (P)
LAKE OF DREAMS - LACUS SOMNIORUM
1200 ACRES INCLUSIVE - 9846-11045
US$27.40/ACRES (US$32,880)
DISCOUNT GRANTED 20% - COURTESY
This, (I don't believe), is not recognized officially, nor is space legal. I consider it along the lines of "Buying" a Star for a loved one...which of course is not possible and is just a novelty.
But the people who pushed for Michael Jackson's crater are also selling lunar property at 1 acre in the Lake Of Dreams for US $34.25. Maybe you can get a discount too.
Sounds like a deal to me.
