A unique cartographic work will help future exploration and colonization of our satellite
China has published the world's first complete geological atlas of the Moon, which is a detailed map of the surface of the Earth's satellite. This massive work, available in Chinese and English, not only demonstrates the topography of the Moon in unprecedented detail, but also serves as a valuable resource for future exploration and possible colonization.
The atlas depicts numerous geological features of the Moon, such as impact craters of various sizes and ages. Liu Jianzhong, a senior researcher at the Institute of Geochemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGCCAS), explained the significance of these structures to China Central Television (CCTV): “The small rings are impact craters, while the larger ones, with a diameter of more than 200 kilometers, are called impact pools. Age groups of craters are indicated by different colors, where purple indicates the most ancient formations».
Work on the atlas began in 2012, and scientists and cartographers from China took part in its creation. The data for the project was obtained during a series of successful lunar missions to Chang'e. Orbiters «Chang'e-1» and «Chang'e-2» compiled the first detailed maps of the lunar surface, and the landing modules and lunar rovers of the Chang'e-3 missions and «Chang'e-4» explored the near and far sides of the Moon, respectively. In addition, in 2020, the Chang'e-5 mission delivered to Earth samples of lunar soil from the visible side of the satellite.
Ouyang Ziyuan, a renowned Chinese selenologist, emphasized the importance of the new atlas, which provides insight into the history of the formation of the Moon, the distribution of its resources and serves as a valuable aid for future research. China is actively preparing for the next stage of lunar exploration — the creation of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), the first permanent base on the surface of the Earth's satellite. According to plans, construction of the ILRS will begin in the 2030s, and the first taikonauts will land on the Moon before the end of this decade.
China is currently preparing for the Chang'e-6 mission, the purpose of which will be to deliver samples to Earth from the far side of the Moon. The launch is scheduled for early May of this year, which will allow scientists to obtain new data about the little-studied area of the satellite.
The publication of a detailed atlas of the Moon not only demonstrates the achievements of the Chinese space program, but also opens a new chapter in the exploration and possible colonization of our satellite in the future.