NASA captures mysterious ‘surfboard-shaped’ object orbiting moon. Can you guess what it is
NASA shared the picture of the mysterious ‘surfboard-shaped’ object orbiting moon. In a blog, they explained what the viral picture shows.
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), a spacecraft circling and studying the Moon for 15 years, captured a “surfboard-shaped” object orbiting the celestial body. Expectedly, after making its way onto social media, the image sparked conversations about its mysteriousness. A few also compared the object with the surfboard carried by the fictional character Silver Surfer. Any guesses what the object really is? According to NASA, it is Korea Aerospace Research Institute’s Danuri lunar orbiter. LRO captured the image while zipping past Danuri in opposite directions.

Take a look at this image that has gone viral:

While describing the picture, NASA wrote, “At the first imaging opportunity, LRO was oriented down 43 degrees from its typical position of looking down at the lunar surface to capture Danuri (streaked across the middle) from 3 miles, or 5 kilometres, above it.”
Also Read: 5 mesmerising images of Earth's moon by ISRO, NASA, ISS
“Danuri has been in lunar orbit since December 2022. Although LRO’s camera exposure time was very short, only 0.338 milliseconds, Danuri still appears smeared to 10 times its size in the opposite direction of travel because of the relative high travel velocities between the two spacecraft,” NASA explained while talking about the brief encounter between the two spacecraft.
An X user also shared the viral image and the other pictures of Danuri captured by LRO. The post prompted people to share varied reactions.
How did X users react to this picture of the moon?
“Silver Surfer’s surfboard?” commented an X user.
“It's my portal. I was wondering where I left it,” joked another.
Also Read: NASA shares a rare image of the 'far side' of the Moon, netizens in awe of it. See pic
“When I saw it, I honestly thought it was a monolith appearing on the moon,” added a third.
“Aliens, what else? There is no way there can be any possible explanation for that pixel shift,” expressed a fourth.
“A surfboard?” wrote a fifth.
What are your thoughts on this viral image of the moon? Did the picture leave you stunned, too?
ABOUT THE AUTHORTrisha SenguptaTrisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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