Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 3:45 pm – With the naked eye, during clear evenings, we can see some craters and crevices on the surface of the Moon. Nothing to do with what the spectacular geological map released this week by the United States Institute of Geological Studies (USGS), however, reveals.
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To achieve this result, the USGS researchers used, among other things, data collected by satellites orbiting the Moon and during six Apollo lunar missions. In all, the project required several years of work. A colossal effort that has generated a map of unprecedented accuracy to date.
Source: USGS
No less than 48 geological categories are represented there. For example, the huge area dominated by red and magenta is made up of lunar seas, or plains of solidified lava. Different types of craters are represented by variants of yellow, green and blue.
A legend gives more information on the different categories illustrated.
This card will give the general public the chance to learn more about the composition of the lunar soil. It can also be used by scientists around the world to plan possible expeditions.
The map can be downloaded from the USGS website.
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