Twin spacecraft prepare to crash into moon

Anonymous | NASA/JPL

FILE - This undated artist file rendering provided by NASA on Dec. 21, 2011, shows the twin Grail spacecraft mapping the lunar gravity field. Launched from Cape Canaveral on Sept. 10, 2011, the spacecraft began collecting data in March, 2012. After nearly a year circling the moon, NASA's Ebb and Flow spacecraft will meet their demise when they are scheduled to crash - on purpose - into a lunar mountain Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, ending a successful mission. (AP Photo/NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, File)

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Lenny Ignelzi | AP

FILE - The San Onofre nuclear power plant in north San Diego County, Calif., is seen in this March 1, 2010 file photo. The Los Angeles City Council is to consider Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, a resolution to oppose restart of San Onofre's Unit 2, unless Southern California Edison seeks a license amendment, which would trigger a court-like review that could take as long as two years. If approved, Los Angeles would become the largest government entity, by far, to go on the record opposing a restart of the troubled . (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — After nearly a year circling the moon, NASA’s Ebb and Flow will meet their demise when they crash — on purpose — into the lunar surface. Just don’t expect to see celestial fireworks. Next week’s impact near the moon’s north pole by the washing machine-sized spacecraft won’t carve a gaping crater or kick up a lot of debris. And it’ll be dark when it happens. “We are not expecting a big flash or a big explosion” that will be visible from Earth, said mission chief scientist Maria Zuber of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Still, it’ll …