In the Headlines ~ China has formally released the world's first comprehensive update of such fundamental lunar data since NASA's Apollo-era work in the 1960s and 1970s, making it the sole high-definition “geologic atlas” of the whole moon. The high-definition maps, which are available in both Chinese and English, will offer current scientific references for further lunar study and exploration, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

The lunar geologic atlas, created during the Apollo period, continues to serve as the foundation for lunar geology study today. This top national scientific agency stated in a statement on Sunday that "as moon research advances, the existing map can no longer meet the needs of future lunar scientific research and exploration." The sole natural satellite of Earth is now represented on a new map with a size of 1:2.5 million, rather than the old 1:5 million scale that gave less detail. The map shows 12,341 craters and 81 impact basins, and details on the moon's 14 different structural types, 17 different rock types, and geological history.

Co-lead researcher Ouyang Ziyuan, considered the “founding father” of China’s lunar program, said the maps will also help researchers select a site for a planned lunar station. “The geological atlas of the moon is of great significance for studying the evolution of the moon, selecting the site for a future lunar research station, and utilizing lunar resources,” Ouyang was quoted by state news agency Xinhua as saying on Sunday. “It can also help us better understand the Earth and other planets in the solar system, such as Mars,” he added. Ouyang started the lunar mapping project in 2012 with fellow geologist Liu Jianzhong from the CAS Institute of Geochemistry in Guiyang.


China releases world's most detailed map of the moon ~
(Source: Google Images) 

About the Map ~ The 1:2,500,000 scale of the map, which shows every known rock, crater, basin, and feature on the Moon's surface, is extremely accurate. The researchers who created it claim that this is the most comprehensive lunar map to date, even though it is far from the first. They achieved this by going through lunar geology data spanning more than a century, which allowed them to create the breathtaking size of the map, which has 90 distinct sorts of formations highlighted on a color-coded key.

China has sent multiple Chang’e mission orbiters, landers, and rovers to the moon, collecting data that has contributed to building the map since the country launched its lunar exploration program in 2004. While the map is compiled mainly using data from Chinese lunar missions, the scientists also referenced previous data and research from outside China.  The researchers are from several CAS institutes, Jilin University, Shandong University, China University of Geosciences in Beijing, and the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences.

Liu told the official Science and Technology Daily that the map is an “exemplary” achievement in the field of lunar science.  “It provides information and scientific references for the formulation of scientific goals and implementation of the lunar exploration project.” “It also represents China’s contribution to the study of the origin and evolution of the moon and the solar system,” he added.