China Releases High-Resolution Moon Atlas

Key Takeaway

China has released a comprehensive and high-resolution geological atlas of the Moon, providing detailed data on craters, basins, lithologies, and structures, which will be invaluable for future lunar exploration missions and scientific research.

Summary

• The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has released the first complete high-definition geologic atlas of the Moon, providing basic geographical data for future lunar research and exploration.
• The atlas includes data on 12,341 craters, 81 impact basins, 17 types of lithologies, 14 types of structures, and other geological information about the lunar surface.
• It was compiled by a team of over 100 scientists and cartographers from relevant research institutions, led by Ouyang Ziyuan and Liu Jianzhong from the CAS.
• The team spent more than a decade compiling scientific exploration data obtained by the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (Chang’e) and other research on the origin and evolution of the Moon.
• The atlas includes an “upgraded lunar geological time scale” for depicting the geological evolution of the Moon, including lunar tectonics and volcanic activity.
• It could improve the understanding of the formation and evolution of Earth and other terrestrial planets in the Solar System.
• The atlas doubles the resolution of the Apollo-era maps compiled by the US Geological Survey in the 1960s and 70s.
• It is expected to aid in site selection for China’s International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) and NASA’s Artemis Base Camp, as well as future sample collection missions like Chang’e-6 and Chang’e-7.
• The CAS also released a book called “Map Quadrangles of the Geologic Atlas of the Moon,” which includes 30 sector diagrams forming a visualization of the entire lunar surface.
• Both the atlas and the book are available in Chinese and English and have been integrated into a digital platform called “Digital Moon,” eventually becoming available to the international research community.

China’s High-Resolution Geological Atlas

As humanity sets its sights on returning to the Moon and establishing a long-term presence, the need for comprehensive and accurate lunar data has never been more pressing. In a monumental achievement, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has unveiled the first complete high-definition geological atlas of the Moon, marking a significant milestone in our quest to unravel the mysteries of our nearest celestial neighbor.

This atlas is the result of over ten years of hard work by more than 100 scientists and cartographers. It will be very useful for future missions to explore the Moon and for scientific studies. The atlas includes data from China’s Chang’e lunar exploration program and other advanced research. It provides a detailed and insightful look at the Moon’s geology.

This groundbreaking atlas contains detailed information about the lunar surface. It includes data on 12,341 craters, 81 impact basins, and 17 different rock types. Additionally, there are 14 distinct structural features recorded. This extensive database offers a detailed look at the Moon’s current state. It also provides insights into the Moon’s formation and evolution.

The atlas features an “upgraded lunar geological time scale.” This scale provides a detailed look at the Moon’s geological history. It covers tectonic activity and volcanic processes that shaped the Moon’s surface. This new approach aims to enhance our understanding of the Moon’s development. It also seeks to illuminate the evolutionary processes of Earth and other terrestrial planets in our Solar System.

Notably, the new atlas boasts a resolution that doubles that of the Apollo-era maps created by the US Geological Survey in the 1960s and 70s. This significant improvement in precision and detail is a testament to the remarkable advancements in lunar exploration and scientific research over the past decades.

The release of this atlas couldn’t have come at a more opportune time, as multiple space agencies, including China and NASA, are gearing up to establish long-term lunar outposts in the coming years. The detailed information provided by the atlas will prove invaluable in selecting optimal sites for endeavors such as China’s International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) and NASA’s Artemis Base Camp.

Moreover, the atlas is expected to play a crucial role in guiding future lunar sample collection missions, such as Chang’e-6 and Chang’e-7, which aim to retrieve lunar soil, rock, and ice samples from the Moon’s surface.

While the atlas represents a remarkable achievement for China’s lunar exploration program, its significance extends far beyond national boundaries. As Gregory Michael, a senior scientist from the Free University of Berlin, appropriately stated,

“This map, in particular, is the first on a global scale to utilize all of the post-Apollo era data. It builds on the achievements of the international community over the last decades, as well as on China’s own highly successful Chang’e program.”

In addition to the Geologic Atlas of the Lunar Globe, the CAS has also released a complementary book titled “Map Quadrangles of the Geologic Atlas of the Moon,” which features 30 sector diagrams that collectively form a comprehensive visualization of the entire lunar surface.

Both the atlas and the book are available in Chinese and English and have been integrated into a digital platform called “Digital Moon,” ensuring their accessibility to the international research community.

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Further Reading: The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)