Blog

The past year of Lunar QuickMap

March 23, 2023

The Lunar QuickMap releases in the past year include multiple powerful new features, along with many new and updated data layers. This update continues expanding the numeric data layers that are available; at the same time providing powerful new tools to access and analyze that data, including interactive inspection of values and data cube extraction.  ( https://lunar.quickmap.io ) 

It also includes QuickMap TerrainShadows (QTS) - a browser based application capable of rendering terrain shadows. Its goal is to simulate illumination conditions at any location on the planet. It has been optimized to handle the case of highly tangential light at the poles or at the terminator. (tutorial)

Among the numerous features added, the following is a list of the key ones:

  • New Data Sets [link] & Updated data sets [link]
  • Simpler searching and loading of individual NAC imagery
    • New NAC@POI@TOI, flexible graphics tool to identify local NAC images and their relation to subSolar track.
    • Via the Draw & Feature Inspector ( Search / NAC )
    • Via typing NAC_ID in the Map search tool
  • Improved GUI
    • ‘eye’ icon - shows only the subset of enabled layers,
    • New screen icon can triggered Latlon grid overlay
    • GridVIEW mode now allows: active sync with layers and interactive zoom in/out + data inspection under cursor.
    • Enabled surface distance display while drawing features
    • ‘Feature Inspector’ --> many enhancements
  • QuickMap:TerrainShadows - synthetic lunar image modeling optimized for tangential lighting conditions (examples)
    • QTS-2D --> good for detailed cartographic maps.
      Modes supported : Carto / Traverse / Antenna
    • QTS-3D --> good for notional interactive 3D illumination type views over time. It enables: first person type view / navigation controls / Nadir Camera / optimized polar rendering / many basemap options / simulation of landing approach.

QTS-2D simulation of compound sources of illumination over Malaper-Massif during Dec/2022. At the poles shadows can originate over hundred 100 Km away.

QTS-3D simulation of solar illumination over the lunar south pole during Dec 2022.  At the poles shadows can originate over hundred 100 Km away. Sun and Earth are visible in the horizon.