First detailed atlas of the Moon released by China |

China has achieved a significant milestone in lunar exploration and scientific research by releasing the world’s first complete high-definition geologic atlas of the moon. Available in both Chinese and English, this all-encompassing atlas comprises the Geologic Atlas of the Lunar Globe and the Map Quadrangles of the Geologic Atlas of the Moon. The release of these atlases marks a crucial advancement for future lunar research and exploration.
The atlas set, scaled at 1:2.5 million, provides comprehensive and up-to-date map data crucial for upcoming lunar missions and research endeavors.This initiative not only addresses a deficiency in lunar geology mapping but also establishes a fresh benchmark for international collaboration in lunar scientific pursuits. With ongoing advancements in lunar exploration, these atlases will prove indispensable to scientists globally, facilitating more accurate and efficient studies and explorations of the moon.

The significance of this geologic atlas of the moon lies in its potential for studying the evolution of the moon, selecting sites for future lunar research stations, and utilizing lunar resources. It can also enhance our understanding of Earth and other celestial bodies within our solar system, including. Ouyang Ziyuan, a renowned lunar scientist and academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), emphasized that the atlas is of great importance for these purposes.
Liu Jianzhong, a senior researcher at the Institute of Geochemistry of the CAS, pointed out that the lunar geologic maps used since the Apollo missions have remained the same for nearly fifty years and are now outdated for current lunar exploration purposes. With improvements in lunar geologic studies, those old maps can no longer meet the demands of future scientific research and lunar exploration.
The atlas was compiled by a team of scientists and cartographers from relevant research institutions, led by Ouyang Ziyuan and Liu Jianzhong since 2012. They based their work on scientific exploration data gained from China’s Chang’e lunar exploration program and other research results from both Chinese and international missions. The team established an updated lunar geological time scale, objectively depicting the geological evolution of the moon, and clearly showing the characteristics of lunar tectonic and magmatic evolution.
The atlas set not only furnishes fundamental data and scientific references for shaping and executing scientific objectives within China’s lunar exploration program but also enriches the investigation into the moon’s origin and the evolution of the solar system. With detailed maps illustrating the distribution of lunar rocks and diverse geological characteristics, the atlas provides an unparalleled perspective of the moon’s terrain, advancing our understanding of lunar surface features.
The release of the atlas is a testament to China’s growing capabilities in space exploration and its commitment to contributing to the global understanding of the moon. It underscores the importance of international collaboration in space research and the sharing of knowledge for the benefit of all humanity. As we look to the stars and beyond, such endeavors remind us of the boundless potential of human curiosity and our quest for knowledge.