WebProNews

The Google Moon Web site now has new higher resolution lunar imagery and maps that include NASA multimedia content.

Updates include new content from the Apollo missions, along with embedded panoramic images, links to audio clips and videos, and descriptions of the astronaut's activities during the missions. The site also added detailed charts of different regions of the moon for use by anyone simulating a lunar mission.

"NASA's objective is for Google Moon to become a more accurate and useful lunar mapping platform that will be a foundation for future web-based moon applications, much like the many applications that have been built on top of Google Maps," said Chris C. Kemp, director of strategic business development at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.

"This will make it easier for scientists everywhere to make lunar data more available and accessible."

Last week Google announced it was working with the X Prize Foundation for the Google Lunar X Prize, a contest for private companies to land a privately funded robotic rover on the moon. The grand prize winner that completes mission objectives will receive $20 million.