Nov. 12, 2007 -- Japan is not the first country to send a spacecraft to the moon, but its efforts could qualify for an Academy Award.
A high-definition television camera on the Selene probe, which entered lunar orbit on Oct. 18, shot surrealistic imagery of the moon's surface as it flew 100 kilometers (62 miles) above the barren and beautiful landscape.
The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, flew the camera in partnership with Japan Broadcasting Corp. Imagery was taken during two passes on Oct. 31.
The first pass covered a region toward the center of the moon's northern pole called Oceanus Procellarum. The second covered the western side of the Oceanus Procellarum from south to north. Both takes compressed eight minutes of flying into one minute of video.
Selene, which is still in its checkout and verification phase, is scheduled to begin its science mission next month.
JAXA says the major goals of the mission are to understand the moon's origin and evolution and to survey lunar resources and environmental phenomena, such as electromagnetic activity and high-energy particles. This information will then help the Japanese prepare for future human missions to the moon.
Last week, Japan announced plans to follow up Selene, which is scheduled to remain operational for one year, with a lunar rover, to be launched in 2015, according to the Japanese newspaper Asahi.
The United States, the only country so far to land humans on the lunar surface, plans to return astronauts to the moon by 2020 and build a scientific base.
Earth's companion is starting to be a popular destination. China's first lunar probe, Chang'e 1 went into orbit this week and an Indian spacecraft reportedly is being prepared for launch.
China's first lunar rover is scheduled to fly in 2012, with a lunar sample return mission to follow about five years later.
China's lunar orbiter is designed to analyze chemical and minerals in the lunar surface and produce three-dimensional images for maps. Chang'e 1's first picture from the moon is due back to Earth later this month.
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Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency