3D Moon Map

What is 3D Moon Map?

3D Moon Map is an interactive lunar atlas from the In-The-Sky.org astronomy site. It uses the elevation model from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter laser altimeter, so craters, maria and mountain ranges sit at their real heights.

You move and rotate the map, zoom in on the crater or region you want, and adjust the vertical scaling to exaggerate the relief. When the 3D view looks right, an Export STL button saves that terrain as a file you can slice and print. Display options such as true color and elevation shading help you find features, though they do not carry into the print.

It is free and needs no account. There are fewer print-specific settings than in a dedicated generator, so you may want to add a base or scale the model in your slicer, but it is a good way for astronomy fans and teachers to print a real piece of the Moon.

What you can make

• Lunar crater models
• Moon terrain tiles
• Astronomy classroom models

How to use 3D Moon Map

1. Open the 3D view and navigate to a crater or region
2. Zoom in and set the vertical scaling
3. Click Export STL
4. Scale and slice the model