Chinese space agency releases amazing high-definition pictures of the moon’s surface
HUNDREDS of high-resolution photos taken by a Chinese lunar probe have emerged online, showing the moon’s surface in vivid detail.
HUNDREDS of high-resolution photos taken by a Chinese lunar probe have emerged online, showing the moon’s surface in vivid detail.
The China National Space Administration released the images on its website in a rare show of openness for the country’s normally top secret space program.
The images were taken by the Yutu lunar rover, also known as the “Jade Rabbit”, which landed on the moon at the end of 2013 as part of the Chang’e-3 Moon mission.
The spectacular images show the moon’s surface in great detail, detailing impressive rock formations and clearly show the rovers tracks.
The rover was plagued with problems from the start and stopped moving 42 days into a three-month-mission.
Despite the problems, its instruments continued to function, allowing it to record data and capture these photos from a static position.
CNN reports that China plans to launch another two robotic missions to the moon over the next two years.
You can find more shots from the Chang’e-3 Moon mission here.
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