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Those light and dark spots you can see when looking at the Moon from afar are only indications of the rich geological diversity that can be found in our closest celestial neighbor, and scientists have put together the most detailed map of the rock composition of the Moon.
Not only is it amazing to see the finished map, but it will also act as a blueprint for future missions to the Moon, guiding astronauts to suitable landing sites and areas worthy of further scientific research.
The fascinating map of lunar geology has been produced by a team from NASA, the Lunar Planetary Institute in Texas, and the Arizona Center for Astrogeology Science, administered by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
(USGS)
“The moon has always fascinated people and when we might return,” says Jim Reilly, a former NASA astronaut and current director of the USGS. “So it is wonderful to see USGS create a resource that can help NASA with its planning for future missions.”
At a scale of 1: 5,000,000, the map was compiled from data collected from six Apollo-era maps, as well as more recent satellite images. Geographic software was used to unite all the parts into a coherent whole.
A sample of the map. (USGS)
In addition to combining various old and new data sets, the scientists behind the project also standardized the names, descriptions, and ages of the rocks, details that had previously varied from map to map.
Topological information has also been added: the location of craters, ridges, fissures, ridges, faults, and all other irregularities on the Moon’s surface. There is more to come, with experts planning even more detailed geological maps in the future.
“It was a great effort for our team to complete this new map and make it transparent,” says Justin Hagerty, USGS Director of Astrogeology. “Much of the historical mapping was done by various groups and at regional scales.”
“Slightly different methods were used, so maps of the same feature that had been mapped by different groups did not match.”
The Moon has a crust, a mantle, and a core, but it does not have tectonic plates like Earth. One of the ways a better understanding of the Moon’s geology can be helpful is to trace its 4.5 billion-year history: how it arose, how it has evolved since then, and everything that has collided with it along the way.
Our satellite studies have also been aided by rock samples that have been collected on lunar missions.
As for future missions, they will undoubtedly consult this new map. NASA currently plans to send humans to the Moon again in 2024.
“This map is the culmination of a decades-long project,” says USGS geologist Corey Fortezzo. “It provides vital information for new scientific studies by connecting exploration of specific sites on the moon with the rest of the lunar surface.”
You can read a document on the map here and view the map online here.
