New NASA pictures prove that we went to the Moon

Ever since the Apollo 11 mission landed on the Moon nearly 41 years ago, there have always been conspiracy theorists declaring that we never went to the Moon and the whole Apollo Moon missions were elaborate hoaxes. However, nearly 41 years after Ohio native Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the Moon, NASA has released irrefutable proof that America did in fact land on the Moon all those years ago.

Last year, NASA launched its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission to help pave the way for man's return to the Moon. Unfortunately, President Obama killed the Constellation Program, and with it, future manned Moon missions, earlier this year. However, the satellite, which entered lunar orbit a year ago yesterday, continued to function, snapping pictures as it went. Now that LRO has been up for a year, NASA decided to compile a series of the satellite's best snaps.

In an article posted to NASA's LRO section, 10 of the most interesting pictures are on display for the whole world to see. At the top of the list is the Apollo 11 landing site.

Photographed from 31 miles above the lunar surface, the site of man's first steps on another world come out in surprising detail. The bottom of the lunar lander is visible, as is equipment left behind by the astronauts, and, most surprisingly, the astronauts' footprints themselves, seen as dark trails of gray against the lighter, undisturbed lunar surface.

The conspiracy theorists need to find another line of work.

In addition to the Apollo 11 landing site, there are other interesting lunar sights caught on camera, too. One surprising find was the long presumed lost Lunokhod 1 rover, launched by the Russians during the time Americans were setting foot on the Moon. During the year in which it operated, Lunokhod 1 drove about 6 miles on the Moon's surface. Once the signal went dead in September 1971, the rover was presumed lost, most likely turned over or lost in a crater. That all changed earlier this year when the rover was found upright on the lunar surface, where it continues to contribute to science.

Most of the other images are regarding interesting facets of lunar geology, including, but not limited to "skylights" and the "dark side of the Moon." While purely natural in nature, they are nonetheless interesting.

One last thing, don't go looking for the Apollo landing sites or Lunokhod with a telescope. There is no telescope on Earth (or in space) powerful enough to view such tiny objects.

For more info:
NASA: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter main page
10 cool sights on the Moon
Examining Apollo conspiracy theories
Obama cuts NASA funding again