GlobeViewer Moon

Ralf Armin Böttcher, Softwareentwicklung

Contains adsIn-app purchases

About this app

GlobeViewer Moon is an interactive and three-dimensional representation of the entire moon surface. The globe rotation view provides an overview of all the existing designations for various surface features. If you are interested in a specific region, an even higher resolution 3D map view can be loaded in order to take a close look at the craters, grooves and other features.

There are four map modes available (elevation display, photo illustration, a combination of both and a grey texture for the telescope mode). These views were created from data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. In addition, surface details (normal maps) have been obtained from the elevation data for the display, which can be combined with all map modes. Even the smallest craters, elevations, grooves and gorges are visible on the map.

The lighting in the 3D map view is designed in such a way that the light can be directed into the crater from all directions. This is used to improve the visibility of height structures in the craters and is not intended to represent the real lighting situation. Realistic lighting that includes the ecliptic was also dispensed with in the globe view in favour of the visibility of the polar regions. In telescope mode the lighting is a realistic simulation including Moon phase and libration movement. So the app becomes a useful tool for telescope users.

The app will recieve lot of updates in the future - this way, user feedback should flow into the further development. If you have any suggestions or ideas for further functions in the app, please contact us using the contact form on our website. We are looking forward to your feedback.

Ratings and reviews

Unmanageable, uncontrollable panning. Dragging your finger to pan the map rotates it violently. Map should drag under the finger no faster than the finger moves. Requires Internet connection to show ads, so may not work in the field. I resent the message, "When we can't show ads, you can not use the app." Will delete! When ads can not be served, the program should still work.

Excellent. Paid for the pro version. Cost is comparable to the price of a printed lunar atlas, so it's worth it. The ability to pan and rotate a 3D oblique view is wonderful, and the ability to adjust the lighting brings out many incredible details. If you're willing to pay for a book, you should be willing to pay for this app. Strongly recommend.

Beta, very nice, needs work. Globe-view does not have flip up/down or left/right. In globe view, if either flip were selected (in telescope mode), text is reversed the same way in globe view. Needs red light mode. Unable to spin w/ slow- precision, no spin beyond poles, zoom is too slow. 3-D maps 'break' at low angle view. Slider bars when active still allow rotation. Slider bar for telescope mode is too fast. Don't need missions button on top always. Menus should close w/tap or have and X

What's new

- Technical update to Unity3D 2022.3.17
- Users can now control movement speed
- Added new missions to the logbook

Congratulations to Japan and Intuitive Machines on their successful landing on the moon!