Google Maps the Moon

Google maps the lunar surface of the moon.

Google investors listen up. If you ever get lost on the surface of the moon Google maps might be the help you need in the future. You can’t get directions yet but Google has used its powerful mapping technology to map the surface of the moon based on images provided by NASA. If you visit http://moon.google.com you can see the locations of all six moon landings and really cool lunar land formations. The tools provided by Google allow you to zoom in and out of the moons surface. If you get to close Google has put in a little surprise. So is Google worth $312 a share you be the judge.

Although I don’t have much need for this kind of information I do think it is cool that Google can do this. So what is next? Will Google map the rest of our Solar System or Universe? We will just have to wait.

Press

Google Map Service Covers Lunar Surface
By The Associated Press Wed Jul 20, 9:54 PM ET

Thirty-six years to the day since Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon, Google Inc. extended its mapping service to cover the lunar surface.

Google Moon won't give you driving directions or the nearest restaurants, the types of information available with Google Maps and Google Earth. But the lunar tool lets you zoom and move around — to the extent NASA has provided images for those areas.

The feature debuting Wednesday at http://moon.google.com also shows the locations of all six Apollo moon landings. Click on one to get the date and astronauts involved.

Google jokes that by July 20, 2069 — the 100th anniversary — the company will integrate its local search product with Google Moon, so users can find out about lunar businesses and other moon-related information.

It also says it is opening a lunar research center by 2007, though applicants must be "capable of surviving with limited access to such modern conveniences as soy low-fat lattes, The Sopranos and a steady supply of oxygen."
And if you still don't believe engineers have a sense of humor, try zooming in all the way. You'll discover that the moon, indeed, is made of cheese.

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