5
$\begingroup$

News sources (for example, the Independent, the South China Morning Post, RT, and Newsweek) have reported recently on the observation from the Yutu-2 lunar rover of a "hut" object or "funny-shaped rock". Its distance from the rover is said to be 80 metres.

Approximately how large is it?

potentially square-shaped "hut" rock on the Moon as seen from the Yutu-2 lunar rover

(image source: https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1466677831929405443)

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
11
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Edited: four links added. $\endgroup$
    – ool
    Dec 7, 2021 at 17:44
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ @SE-stopfiringthegoodguys - Thanks for this. I couldn't find a match either, but it may be possible to match these features. Perhaps an image showing the object with the image's overall angle of view marked is also publicly available somewhere. $\endgroup$
    – ool
    Dec 7, 2021 at 19:07
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ The interpretation of this silhouette as a cube reflects the human visual bias towards rectilinear objects. If you zoom in and enhance the image, the object's true curvilinear nature will be revealed: a pair of buttocks. $\endgroup$
    – Woody
    Dec 7, 2021 at 22:32
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ We are being "Mooned" $\endgroup$
    – Woody
    Dec 7, 2021 at 22:49
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @uhoh I found the FOVs, see below. $\endgroup$
    – Keith McClary
    Jan 8, 2022 at 20:57

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
4
$\begingroup$

The width of the "funny-looking rock" is no more than about $6.0$ metres.

The fact that the field of view in the image shown cannot be wider than $360°$ allows us to calculate an approximate maximum possible width. The item takes up approximately $1/84$ of the width of field, so if the width of field represented $360°$ then the item would be about $(2\pi \times 80 \text{ metres}) \ / \ 84 = 6.0$ metres wide.

If the field of view is $360n°$, with $0<n\leqslant1$, then the item's approximate width is $6.0n$ metres. Examples: if the field of view is $60°$, the item's width is about $1.0$ metre; if it is $120°$, about $2.0$ metres.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
4
3
$\begingroup$

The so call hut rock observed by Yutu 2 is apparently another yutu!

'The "mysterious hut" as tall as the Arc de Triomphe turned out to be very small when approached,' they said in the update.

'The drivers were a little disappointed. Just as everyone was lost, a driver stared at the enlarged picture and covered his mouth and exclaimed: "Gosh! This is... Yutu!"'

It's a rock in the shape of a crouching rabbit! ... With rabbit food and droppings to complete the scene.

enter image description here

enter image description here

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.