China puts out ‘most detailed’ map of the moon’s surface

Dozens of researchers spent a decade compiling data from lunar missions to create a high-resolution picture of the surface

The work also gives new insight into the moon’s past

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China’s map of the moon’s surface covers more than 12,300 craters. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 10:00pm, 10 Jun 2022Updated: 10:35pm, 10 Jun 2022

Chinese scientists have released what they say is the most detailed map of the moon’s surface, a project that took more than a hundred researchers 10 years to complete.

The map reveals the composition and structure of the lunar surface as well as reflecting the latest understanding of the moon’s evolutionary history.

In a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Bulletin on May 30, the researchers said such maps played an essential role in scientific research, exploration planning, and landing site selection for missions to the Earth’s only natural satellite.

Researchers have created the first 1:2,500,000 geological map of the moon. Photo: Weibo

The researchers said the United States Geological Survey had previously made a number of regional maps of the moon based on data brought back by the Apollo missions. However, those maps were completed at different times with different standards, and were therefore not really compatible.

Since launching its lunar exploration programme in 2004, China has sent various Chang’e mission orbiters, landers, and rovers to the moon, amassing data to compile its own high-resolution lunar map.

China puts out ‘most detailed’ map of the moon’s surface

Dozens of researchers spent a decade compiling data from lunar missions to create a high-resolution picture of the surface The work also gives new insight into the moon’s past

Dozens of researchers spent a decade compiling data from lunar missions to create a high-resolution picture of the surface

The work also gives new insight into the moon’s past