By 
December 14th, 2024
An updated detailed map of the polar regions of the Moon is available, work done by researchers at the Geochemical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences together with the Department of Lunar and Planetary Research of Moscow State University.
The map is based on a digital elevation model constructed using data from the laser altimeter of the American spacecraft Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
In addition, a high-resolution map displays the landing sites of all robotic spacecraft and piloted vehicles, indicated by conventional symbols on the map.
The map also shows the impact sites of the devices: the American GRAIL-A, GRAIL-B, LCROSS and Lunar Prospector, the Indian Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2, and the Japanese Kaguya.
Lunar orbiter plans
Russia plans to send its Luna-26 orbiter to the Moon in 2027. It will conduct remote observation of the lunar surface. The main scientific objectives will be remote study of the lunar surface, construction of a topographic map of the lunar surface, and determine of the structure and composition of the subsurface.
Russia’s Luna-26 Moon orbiter. Image credit: Lavochkin
In addition, Luna-26 is to search for areas rich in hydrogen, determine the chemical and elemental composition of the regolith, appraise the heterogeneity of the lunar gravitational field, study the composition and dynamics of the exosphere, as well as study the interaction of the solar wind and the Moon. Also, the orbiter is to study lunar magnetic anomalies and the corresponding plasma dynamics, assess micrometeor streams and secondary dust clouds around the Moon.
The mapping work is available at:
http://portal.geokhi.ru/Lab41/SitePages/Maps-of-the-Moon.aspx
Posted in Space News
