Google Earth goes to the Moon

Google has launched an interactive 3D Moon application in Google Earth, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the lunar landing by Apollo 11.

The virtual 3D Moonscape for Google Earth 5 includes guided tours from astronauts Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11) and 'Jack' Schmitt (Apollo 17).

Google has also included high-resolution panoramic photos and previously unreleased video footage from the lunar surface.

People can also learn about what is essentially space junk; such as the various types of exploratory equipment that humans have left on the Moon and where those objects can be found today.

Artefacts from the United States, the Soviet Union, China, the EU, Japan, and India are included; some of them as 3D models. There are also geologic and topographic maps of the Moon that were used in mission control.

S Pete Worden, director of NASA Ames Research Center, in California said: "Today's announcement builds on the ongoing relationship with Google that Ames Research Center initiated in November 2006 when we signed a Space Act Agreement to foster collaboration with our Silicon Valley neighbour.

"We're excited to be a part of this latest chapter in Google's efforts to bring virtual exploration of the Moon to anyone with a computer."

Google has been able to use the most recent tools for the Moon application because of the agreement between it and NASA. As well as historical data the Moon application also shows the latest rover concepts from teams competing in the Google Lunar X-prize.

Google said the Moon application allows people to rediscover the iconic moments in the history of Moon exploration or learn about them for the first time.