April 9, 2013

Spherical Pleasures

images from Blue Terra, Japan

We can never have too many lunar globes, and I am especially happy to see this new one based on Kaguya topographic data. I was lucky to have a small involvement with the mission which has brought many new scientific insights because of the quality of its instruments and scientists. This new globe is 12" in diameter and sits on a stand that indicates the color coding of the elevations. The design and printing of the globe are excellent and the altimetry data show equally well both the deep craters and the low mare ridges; this globe will be good to use as well as to display. Interestingly, the globe gives English names as well as the Japanese transliteration, hiding a little detail but strongly reflecting the international aspects of lunar exploration. The price of $151 reflects both the quality of the product and the status of the dollar.

Chuck Wood

Related Links
Lunar Globes

Yesterday's LPOD: Unlikely Movement

Tomorrow's LPOD: A 1689 Swedish Book On the Moon

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