Project Description: The overall project objective is to support research into a nonfiction book on the creation of three important historical photographic lunar atlases. UA has a long history involving naming and mapping of lunar features by producing lunar atlases that were integral to choosing landing sites for NASA Surveyor, Ranger, & Apollo programs. These atlases were produced under the direction of Director and Founder of UA’s Lunar & 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of Chicago Yerkes Observatory, Gerard P. Kuiper, in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. This project seeks to locate historical documents related to the atlases production that are located at UA Special Collections Library.
The intern’s role is to perform primary source academic history-of-science research in support of this book project. Specifically, locate & organize materials & produce summaries & citations w/possible follow-up activities: educational lesson creation, research at other locations interviews, presentation and articles.
NASA Relevance: This internship opportunity aligns with the Science Mission Directorate as NASA engages in the Artemis mission to go back to the Moon. The research associated with the historical methods of lunar mapping and feature naming provides information on the methods and 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 phtotgraphic lunar atlases.
- Maintain resource and topic organizers for material found.
- Create resource citations and summaries.
- Confirm data bases of resources accuracy against found materials.
- Create project reports and presentation for public consumption
- Need to spend time at University of Arizona Special Collections Library.
Open or Reserved Project: Open, 2 positions