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Colour-coded representation of the elevation of the lunar surface (Credit: NASA/GSFC/ASU/DLR)
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DLR Planet Researchers Generate 3-D Model of Moon Surface
DLR scientists now have generated a three-dimensional, digital moon model comprised from a total of 70,000 images and featuring a hitherto unique degree of precision and completeness. A film shows virtual flights across the Moon. The image data was provided by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) orbiting the Moon since 2009, which captures digital data of the surface pockmarked by craters with a wide angle camera.
The elevation model clearly illustrates mountains, craters or ridges. The colour encoded view displays the respective height in colours ranging from blue for deep craters to red and white for mountains.
Whereas the Moon's front face with its shallow maria and the Apollo landing sites appears mostly blue and green, the hitherto little explored reverse side of the Moon, that remains invisible from Earth, is mainly red due to its high plateaus. This is where both the lowest and the highest point in the Moon's topography can be found.
Using the data from the elevation model, the scientists can also simulate low level flights across the Moon's surface. "With these data we provide an important basis for future missions to the Moon – whether manned or unmanned", stresses Moon researcher Ulrich Köhler. "The 3-D maps of the Moon allow for an improved assessment of future landing sites."
