NASA creates detailed map of moon's southern terrain

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US space scientists have created a highly-detailed map of the moon's south pole region, revealing a much more rugged terrain than scientists had believed, NASA officials said Wednesday.

The high-resolution images are likely to prove invaluable in planning future lunar exploration, researchers at the US space agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California said.

"I have not been to the moon, but this imagery is the next best thing," said Scott Hensley, a scientist at JPL and lead investigator for the research.

"With these data we can see terrain features as small as a house without even leaving the office."

The images of the moon's south pole include a detailed look at the site near the famed Shackleton Crater,...