Cartography: The Moon: Rougher than You Think

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Even while it was still incomplete, NASA engineers were using the new map as a basis for lifelike plastic models of the moon. One of the models is a sphere 20 ft. in diameter that will show the moon as if will be seen from an approaching space ship hundreds of miles away. Others are molded models showing a central section of the disk as an astronaut will see it while he drops ever closer. When astronauts go into training for an actual moon touchdown, they will sit in a practice landing capsule rigged to behave like a real one and sight in on a model through TV cameras. Under varied lighting conditions set up to simulate the sharp dark shadows of the airless lunar surface, they will steer themselves toward the spot on the practice moon that has been selected as the safest landing place.