The United States Institute of Geological Studies (USGS) released an extremely precise map of the Moon on Monday. The document is available for partial or full download. The compiled data was also used to create a video animation showing our spinning satellite.
In their press release, the scientists indicate that the cartography is the fruit of their collaboration with Nasa and the Lunar Planetary Institute (LPI).
Hankering for an in-depth look at the 4.5-billion-year-old history of Earth's nearest neighbor? Well, the #USGS has just released the most detailed geologic map of the moon ever created. Start digging around & see what you can discover. https://t.co/Tel2GgoIzo pic.twitter.com/2QFscMItUY
- USGS (@USGS) April 20, 2020It is the first time that the entire lunar surface is so listed. This “Unified Geologic Map of the Moon” was drawn at a scale of 1: 5,000,000. For the specialists of the USGS, it "will be invaluable for the international scientific community, teachers and the general public". The map is called the "geological map of the surface of the Moon".
Useful for "human missions in the future"
It will prove to be very useful during "human missions in the future", say the researchers. It is the “culmination of a project that spanned several decades,” explains geologist Corey Fortezzo. It provides vital information for new scientific research, linking the exploration of specific areas of the Moon to the rest of the lunar surface. ”
In total, 43 geological units of the star have been studied closely and divided into typological groups, Numerama specifies . The data used for the map comes from six maps drawn up during the Apollo missions. Information gathered by recent observations of satellites sent near the Moon was then added.
World
Coronavirus: NASA suspends Artemis mission to send humans to the Moon
Science
Astronauts' urine could be used to build… moon bases
- Science
- Nasa
- Menu
- Astronomy
- Moon