Project Description: The overall objective of this project is to support research into a nonfiction book on creation of three important historical photographic lunar atlases. The University of Arizona has a long history involving naming and mapping of lunar features by producing lunar atlases, which were integral to choosing landing sites for the NASA Surveyor, Ranger, and Apollo programs. These atlases were produced under the direction of the Director and Founder of the U of A's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory/Director of the University of Chicago Yerkes Observatory, Gerard P. Kuiper in the late 1950's and early 1960's. This project seeks to locate historical documents related to the atlases production and located at the U of A's Special Collections Library. The role of the intern is to do primary academic history-of-science research in support of this book project. Specifically, the intern will locate and organize materials, and produce summaries and citations with possible follow-up activities such as educational lesson creation, research at other locations, interviews, public presentations, and article publications.
NASA Relevance: This internship opportunity aligns with the Science Mission Directorate as NASA engages the Artemis mission to go back to the Moon. The research associated with the historical methods of lunar mapping and feature naming provide information on the processes used to achieve needed location coordinate system, landing site determination, selenology techniques, and the understanding of lunar nomenclature.
Work Description: Review of essential background materials, including videos, articles, presentations, and documents. Orientation to Kuiper Google Drive resources, organizers, lists, and citation materials. Access the University of Arizona Special Collections Archive to find, research, collect, and document materials associated with the development, processes of creation, and uses of three historically significant photographic lunar atlases. Create resource citations and summaries.
Open or Reserved Project: Open, 1 position