"Unlocking Lunar Navigation: The Ancient Math Trick That Holds the Key"
Researchers from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary have used an 800-year-old math trick known as the Fibonacci sphere to better estimate the Moon's rotation ellipsoid, its slightly squished shape as it orbits Earth. By mapping 100,000 points of the Moon's surface using measurements previously taken by NASA, the researchers were able to produce more accurate figures for the Moon's rotation ellipsoid. This could help in developing a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) for the Moon, improving navigation for future lunar missions, and potentially enhancing estimations of Earth's dimensions and navigation systems.