Modelling the Lunar Surface
Last updated 7 January 1998
Introduction
This page describes an exercise in applied geometrical modelling - generating
an approximate graphical representation of the lunar surface. It combines
spectral synthesis methods and stochastic feature generation rules with
map and table-based descriptions of actual lunar topography. Considerable
attention has been paid to level-of-detail issues and the consistent fusion
of synthetic and map-based features. Lunar forms currently modelled include
mare and terra terrain types, mountains, rilles, ray systems and a variety
of crater types. Some further development is still needed, particularly with
respect to the crater profile model.
Surface overview
The three images at the top of the page show the near-side of the moon viewed
from an altitude of 3,500km. The longitude of the sun for each image
is respectively 90.0W, 0.0E and 90.0E. Any image may be clicked on for
a higher resolution version.
GL was used to render the images, using a local illumination model with no
self-shadowing. The incorporation of effective shadowing methods should
significantly improve the appearance of surface features under oblique
lighting conditions. The model generation time for each image is
around one minute, with rendering taking 15 seconds on a 200Mhz Indy.
A paper on this work is now available for
downloading (compressed PostScript file).
Detailed views
The following links give a more detailed view of a variety of lunar
features.
Further information
For alternative lunar surface models see Ken
Musgrave's planetary modelling pages. One of the best sites for
images of the real moon is the Johnson Space
Center's Image Server (use keyword searches such as "apollo and
crater"). Here are some sample moon images
from that site.
Thanks go to James Miller and Simon Embley for their significant
contributions to the lunar modelling project.
Alan Murta
A re-creation of the 1969 Apollo 11 lunar
landing.
