Researchers claim that the new
map of Ganymede is the first comprehensive global geologic map of an icy moon
of an external planet. The U. S. Geological Survey has issued the map, which
shows the diverse geology on Ganymede’s surface. The geologic map of Ganymedeis accessible for download online here. USGS Astrogeology Science Center
administrator Laszlo Kestay said: “After Mars, the interiors of icy satellites
of Jupiter are considered the best candidates for habitable environments for
life in our solar system. This geologic map will be the basis for many
decisions by NASA and partners regarding future U.S. missions under
consideration to explore these worlds.”
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| Image Credit: USGS Astrogeology Science Center/Wheaton/NASA/JPL-Caltech |
The video above displays a
simulation of a revolving globe of Jupiter’s moon Ganymede, with a geologic map
covered over a global color mixture. The 37-second animation initiates as a
global color mosaic appearance of the moon then rapidly fade away into the
geologic map. The misrepresentation in the shape of Ganymede is a map-maker’s
objet d'art. Ganymede is round, just like Planet Earth.
