Artemis II Shows How Off-the-Shelf Cameras Can Be Scientific Instruments in Space
A picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes it’s worth more.
The Artemis II crew took hundreds of pictures of the stars during the season shooting at the moonusing an off-the-shelf Nikon Z9 mirrorless camera. It turns out that those images are not only good enough for desktop backgrounds but also for scientific discoveries.
Tokyo City University researchers published a study in June using images of a total solar eclipse obtained during the Artemis II lunar flyby to investigate the properties of the F-corona — the cool science of scattered dust particles that scatter sunlight when the moon is viewed with the sun directly behind it. This dim star phenomenon gives the moon a halo-like glow.
One of the best images from the mission, “Artemis II in Eclipse,” captured a 54-minute total eclipse and provided a rare, never-before-seen view of the F-corona. Using a JPEG image, Japanese researchers obtained reliable measurements and confirmed the formation of the F-corona, showing that simple thinking can yield important astrophysical data.
According to Nikon and NASA, the Nikon Z9 was paired with a 35mm f/2D lens to capture an image at an aperture of f/2, an exposure time of 2 seconds and an ISO of 1600.
The researchers used the “Artemis II in Eclipse” image and analyzed it in several ways to support their research. Captured by a high-resolution camera in JPEG format.
Using a standard scientific camera
Kohji Tsumura, an associate professor at Tokyo City University and a co-author of the study, in a statement sent to CNET that he was initially skeptical about using JPEG images since most space images used for research rely on raw, uncompressed image data or special codecs. However, the final result was “comparable to data used in expert astronomers’ tests.”
“I was surprised to learn that this amazing image was captured by an astronaut using a commercially available Nikon Z9 with an exposure time of just two seconds,” Tsumura said.
The study’s co-author, Ko Arimatsu, agreed that the efficient commercial technology could serve as a tool for future space exploration and other scientific discoveries. “The findings show that scientifically important data can be extracted from consumer camera images if properly measured and analyzed,” Arimatsu said.
The Nikon Z9 was not originally a part of the equipment. The crew plans to use NASA-certified Nikon D5 cameras, which are equipped to better withstand deep space radiation. However, Commander Reid Wiseman pushed to include Z9 as a test platform for future Artemis missions, and NASA eventually agreed to deliver it.
“We’ve been practicing on the Z9, and it’s a great gear,” Wiseman said.
NASA has been using Nikon cameras for more than 50 years and has partnered with the imaging company to build equipment for the agency’s missions. They are currently working on the Handheld Universal Lunar Camera, which is expected to go to the moon with astronauts as well part of Artemis IV.
“Seeing the Artemis II images back to Earth is a great honor for all of us at Nikon,” Hiroyuki Ikegami, senior vice president at Nikon, said in a statement to CNET. “Nikon has been privileged to support NASA with cameras and lenses designed for exceptional clarity and reliability in the most demanding environments.”
The Nikon Z9 for astronauts is a commercially available model, considered the flagship of Nikon’s mirrorless lineup and widely regarded as one of the best. the best cameras on the market. CNET said the Z9 is “packed with incredible camera technology that delivers hot shooting rates for enthusiasts and professionals alike.” Indeed.
