# Virtual Lunar Explorations This Moon Map Allows Anyone to Walk in the Shoes of an Astronaut By Charlotte Joyce Kidd | Published 2015-10-23 | Updated 2015-10-26 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moon-map References: [space](http://www.space.com/30904-awesome-moon-maps-nasa-usgs.html) & [pubs.er.usgs.gov](http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sim3316) This moon map allows everybody on Earth -- regardless of their astronaut status -- to explore our ever-changing planet. The [United States Geological Survey](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rfid-tracking-network) (USGS) recently published this set of [virtual moon maps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xbox-and-snapchat). It includes two individual moon maps. One is a photo mosaic that compiles images captured by [NASA's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ar-nasa-app) Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft, which launched in 2009 and remains in orbit to this date. The other moon map is a topographic chart, which displays a geographical breakdown of the moon's regions and terrain. The USGS hopes that the moon maps will provide educators, scientists and the public with a better understanding of and familiarity with Earth's satellite. Amateur astronomers will be able to use it to better comprehend what they can see through their own telescopes. The rest of us can explore it virtually and get to feel like real live astronauts. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.5/10 - Popularity: 84% | Activity: 72% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Virtual Moon Maps:** The creation of virtual moon maps opens up new opportunities for education, scientific inquiry, and public engagement with the moon. - **Amateur Astronomy:** The availability of virtual maps can democratize access to moon observation and increase amateur astronomy participation. - **Virtual Explorations:** The trend of virtual exploration maps has implications for the creation of similar maps for other planets, satellites, and even the deep ocean. ### Where This Applies - **Education:** The virtual moon maps have applications in the education sector for teaching astronomy, geography, and space exploration. - **Aerospace Technology:** The creation of virtual maps for space objects can drive innovation in aerospace technology development for space exploration and research. - **Tourism and Entertainment:** The trend for virtual exploration experiences has potential for the development of new tourism and entertainment products involving space, astronomy, and virtual reality technology. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Interactive Universe Maps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/universe-map.md) - [Celestial Tracking Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lumoon.md) - [Global Location Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earthguessr.md) - [AR Space Agency Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ar-nasa-app.md) - [Pizza-Shaped Universe Maps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/universe-map1.md) - [Moon-Exploring Advanced Spacesuits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artemis-iii-spacesuits.md) - [Park-Navigating Map Updates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/map-update.md) - [Moon Landing-Themed Watch Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moon-walker.md) - [Futuristic Lunar Terrain Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lunar-terrain-vehicle.md)