China Releases First High-Definition Lunar Geologic Atlas
Beijing, The Gulf Observer: China has unveiled a groundbreaking achievement in lunar exploration with the release of the world’s first complete high-definition lunar geologic atlas, providing crucial map data for future lunar research and exploration endeavors.
The Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), announced on Sunday the publication of a comprehensive geologic atlas of the global moon with a scale of 1:2.5 million. This landmark atlas marks a significant advancement in lunar cartography, offering detailed maps that will serve as fundamental resources for scientific investigations and potential lunar missions.
The newly released set of geologic atlases, available in both Chinese and English editions, includes the Geologic Atlas of the Lunar Globe and the Map Quadrangles of the Geologic Atlas of the Moon. These atlases provide a comprehensive view of the moon’s geological features and formations, offering insights into its evolution and history.
Professor Ouyang Ziyuan, a renowned lunar scientist and academician of CAS, highlighted the importance of the lunar geologic atlas for advancing our understanding of the moon. He emphasized that this atlas will not only aid in lunar exploration and site selection for future research stations but also contribute to broader scientific understanding of Earth and other celestial bodies like Mars.
Senior researcher Liu Jianzhong from the Institute of Geochemistry, CAS, emphasized the significance of this milestone, noting that previous lunar geologic maps from the Apollo era, dating back over half a century, were no longer sufficient for modern lunar research and exploration needs. The new high-definition atlas represents a vital upgrade in lunar cartography, providing updated and detailed information crucial for contemporary scientific endeavors.
This achievement underscores China’s commitment to advancing space exploration and expanding human knowledge of the solar system. The release of the lunar geologic atlas marks a significant contribution to global lunar research efforts and lays the groundwork for future lunar missions and scientific discoveries.
