The global image of the Moon obtained by the Chang’E-1: Data processing and lunar cartography

Abstract

The global lunar image of the first phase of Chinese Lunar Exploration Program is the first image that covered all over the surface of the Moon. It will serve as a critical foundation for succeeding exploration and scientific research. In this paper, the acquisition, characteristics, and data quality of Chang’E-1 CCD image data are described in detail. Also described are the methodology and procedure of data processing. According to rule of planetary cartography, the image data have been processed, geometrically corrected, and then mosaicked and merged in a scale of 1:2.5 million. The results of data processing and charting show that the image data of Chang’E-1 CCD and their geometric precision meet the demand of charting a map in the scale of 1:2.5 million. The relative geometric positioning precision of the global image is better than 240 m, and the absolute geometric positioning precision is slightly better than that of the ULCN2005 and Clementine lunar basemap (V2.0). The plane positioning precision is approximately 100-1500 m. This global image proves to be the best global image of the Moon so far in terms of space coverage, image quality, and positioning precision.