China releases updated geological map of the entire moon

Chinese scientists have finished a new geological map of the entire Moon. The map is drawn at a scale of 1:5,000,000, meaning that one unit on the map equals five million units on the Moon. The map uses the latest data from China’s Chang’e lunar exploration program, giving scientists a clearer picture of the Moon’s surface and history.

The map’s scale allows researchers to see both large-scale features and finer details. It combines data from orbiters, landers, and sample analyses. The result is a comprehensive view that supports a wide range of scientific studies.

The main map is about 2.8 meters long and 1.2 meters tall, a size that fits on a table yet shows fine detail. It also contains separate, detailed maps of the Moon’s north and south polar regions. These polar maps are important because they may hold water ice and other resources.

The updated map shows more than 13,000 impact craters and 81 impact basins. It also classifies 14 types of geological structures, such as plains, highlands, and wrinkle ridges. In addition, the map lists 17 rock types that have been identified on the Moon’s surface.

Three major improvements set this map apart from earlier versions. First, scientists refined the Moon’s geological timescale. Second, they updated the inventory of lunar materials, adding a new rock type discovered in the South Pole-Aitken Basin. Third, they created a customized mapping standard for the 1:5,000,000 scale.

The refined geological timescale is based on the newest research. Scientists adjusted the start dates of key periods to reflect new data. This change helps place lunar events in a more accurate chronological context.