Saturday, July 31, 1999 Published at 15:58 GMT 16:58 UK
Probe smashes into Moon
Impression of Lunar Prospector's final moments
Observatories all over the world are analysing data from the crash of a Nasa spacecraft into the Moon to see whether it has revealed the presence of water.
Nasa is hoping the impact, calculated at 6,000 km/h (3,800 mph), has sent up a plume of water vapour from what are believed to be ice formations near the pole.
So far there has been no direct sighting of debris and observatories around the world are watching to see if any ice was melted, generating water vapour.
"Initial reports indicate that no plume was visible at the expected impact time," said a Nasa spokesman.
A secondary mission for the spacecraft was to deposit the cremated remains of the renowned astronomer Eugene Shoemaker, making him the first person to be buried on another world.
"This is a low probability of success," said Dr Lisa Chu-Thielbar, a Nasa spokeswoman. "In fact its been calculated at about 10% success."
"But it's still worth doing because the possible result is terrific."
Nasa insists that regardless of the outcome of this "final bold experiment", Lunar Prospector has yielded "a gold mine of science data".
"We now have invaluable global maps of the Moon's gravitational and magnetic fields, and the distribution of its key elements, giving us a much better understanding of the origin, evolution and composition of our rocky neighbour," said Dr Henry McDonald, director of Nasa's Ames Research Center.
After its launch in January 1998 and subsequent entry into orbit over the lunar poles, instruments on board the Lunar Prospector began surveying the Moon.
Among its discoveries:
Shoemaker honoured in death
Mr Shoemaker co-discovered the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, which collided with the planet Jupiter in 1994.
The renowned astro-geologist, was killed in a car crash two years ago.
"He is the very first human inhabitant of Earth to be laid to rest on another celestial body," said Carolyn Porco, a University of Arizona professor and Shoemaker's college on Nasa's Voyager expeditions.
"That's very significant because it says we have arrived at our place in the solar system, the solar system is our own and it's beckoning us."