China publishes high-resolution moon map

Watch Video

Play Video

The highest resolution map of the moon ever to be published will be released on Monday according to China’s National Defense Technology Industry Ministry. The images, taken by China’s Chang’e-2 spacecraft capture an unprecedented 7-meters-per pixel of the entire lunar surface.

The "world’s clearest map of the moon" will be published on Monday. The CCD stereo camera on board China’s Chang’e-2 lunar probe has a resolution 17 times higher than the camera carried by Chang’e-1.

The images, taken by China’s Chang’e-2 spacecraft capture an unprecedented 7-meters-per pixel of the entire lunar surface.

Each pixel captures just 7 meters of the moon’s surface. Tong Qingxi, remote sensing expert, said, "Using 7 meters resolution, we can see right down to the individual rocks and stones, as well as small craters on the surface of Moon."

To complete the path finding mission, Chang’e-2 will now get even closer to the moon, orbiting as low as 15 kilometers above the surface.

The images, taken by China’s Chang’e-2 spacecraft capture an unprecedented 7-meters-per pixel of the entire lunar surface.

In this special low orbit, Chang’e-2 will continue its high precision mapping, down to a resolution of just one meter.

It will focus on specific areas, to prepare for the lunar touch down of Chang’e-3, scheduled in 2013.

The images, taken by China’s Chang’e-2 spacecraft capture an unprecedented 7-meters-per pixel of the entire lunar surface.

Rao Wei, Chang’e-2 deputy chief designer, said, "We hope to get high precision imaging of the landing zone for Chang’e-3. The more information we get, the more we can ensure a safe and reliable landing for Chang’e-3. "

Chang’e-2 is China’s second lunar probe. It was launched in October 2010, following the Chang’e-1 mission in 2007.

If all goes to plan, Chang’e-3 will carry out China’s first ever lunar landing, and deliver a rover to the Moon’s surface.