The first complete geologic map of Moon
Using data from several recent lunar orbiters, scientists have compiled and now released the first comprehensive geologic map of the Moon.
To create the new digital map, scientists used information from six Apollo-era regional maps along with updated information from recent satellite missions to the moon. The existing historical maps were redrawn to align them with the modern data sets, thus preserving previous observations and interpretations. Along with merging new and old data, USGS researchers also developed a unified description of the stratigraphy, or rock layers, of the moon. This resolved issues from previous maps where rock names, descriptions and ages were sometimes inconsistent.
“This map is a culmination of a decades-long project,” said Corey Fortezzo, USGS geologist and lead author. “It provides vital information for new scientific studies by connecting the exploration of specific sites on the moon with the rest of the lunar surface.”
The image to the right shows the Moon’s near side.
The complete map file is free to download, and I guarantee that scientists and engineers in China are downloading it even as I type, planning to use it to establish their ownership to the Moon’s most valuable real estate that we scouted for them.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
Using data from several recent lunar orbiters, scientists have compiled and now released the first comprehensive geologic map of the Moon.
To create the new digital map, scientists used information from six Apollo-era regional maps along with updated information from recent satellite missions to the moon. The existing historical maps were redrawn to align them with the modern data sets, thus preserving previous observations and interpretations. Along with merging new and old data, USGS researchers also developed a unified description of the stratigraphy, or rock layers, of the moon. This resolved issues from previous maps where rock names, descriptions and ages were sometimes inconsistent.
“This map is a culmination of a decades-long project,” said Corey Fortezzo, USGS geologist and lead author. “It provides vital information for new scientific studies by connecting the exploration of specific sites on the moon with the rest of the lunar surface.”
The image to the right shows the Moon’s near side.
The complete map file is free to download, and I guarantee that scientists and engineers in China are downloading it even as I type, planning to use it to establish their ownership to the Moon’s most valuable real estate that we scouted for them.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
I have a copy of the old National Geographic Moon map from the late 60’s.
The same one that Lou had behind his desk on the Mary Tyler Moore show.
it may be expensive, but I am gonna have to hunt down someone with a large paper printer and print this out.
I love it.
Beautiful, is there a legend that details the height of the different colors?
The pinks and reds are the low spots, miles lower than the far side of the moon. Even though this is the area of lava sea (basalt fields) that are as large as continents on earth. There are no volcanoes to point as the source. (In low gravity, the source volcano should be larger than Olympus mons on Mars)
The evidence would suggest that our moon is what collided with the earth billions of years ago, formed our continents out of Moonrock transferred during the collision. Placing the surface of the moon on top of the ancient lime stone atmosphere creating our oil (fossil fuel) during continental drift deep under ground. The nearest side of the Moons crust is missing exposing the core. The mass ratio to our continents is about right, analysis of the material shows that the moon and ours is identical.
Plasma created in such an impact would be as high in temperature as a supernova, but unable to blast into space, captured by the surrounding dust and rock causing heavy elements to be found in the upper crust for our convenience.
Max: This is not a topological map, it is a geologic map. The different colors indicate different geology, lava, impact ejecta, etc.
Thank you, much of the colors do not conform to details/information I’ve researched in years past.
Now it makes more sense. For instance, that the deep craters are the same color as the surrounding regolith. It’s material, not altitude. My bad.
I’ve gotten complacent looking at the topological map of Mars so often. It would probably help my comprehension if I didn’t do this while I was driving.