Chinese scientists have created a geological map of the Moon on a scale of 1:2,500,000. It is based on the results of its Earth moon research program since 2004.
Geological map of the Moon on a large scale
Scientists from the Institute of Geochemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have created the most detailed geological map of the Moon. Its scale is 1:2,500,000, that is, 25 km in one centimeter. Until now, the most detailed geological exploration of our moon had a scale of 1:5,000,000.
The new map shows 12,341 craters, 81 impact basins of 14 types of rocks and 17 different types of structures. The map is so grandiose that it is difficult to see anything in a standard-sized picture. You can download the file with the full version of the map by following the link: https://sadr-en.nssdc.ac.cn/detail?dataSetId=972277454573928448&dataSetType=personal
The map is the result of China’s research activities on the Moon. It began in 2004 and continues to this day. For the compilation of this document, scientists divided the surface of the Moon into 30 squares and carefully collected information on each of them.
Why do we need geological maps of celestial bodies
The first thing that comes to mind when mentioning that the Chinese have created a geological map of the Moon is that they are going to mine something on it. China and the United States have indeed announced their plans to fight for the Earth moon. But the new map simply lacks data on any minerals.
In the end, this data could not be on it. To have them, you need to go down to the surface and walk around it pretty much. And there cannot be on the Moon most of the minerals known to us on Earth. The most valuable thing there is water ice, but it hides in the shadows of craters or under the surface.
But according to the new map, you can study the geological history of the Moon well. Various craters formed on it at different periods. Some rocks have remained untouched since our moon was covered by oceans of lava. The rest were formed at a time when multicellular life already existed on Earth.
According to www.universetoday.com
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