A full moon is visible above Earth’s horizon as photographed by an Expedition 10 crewmember on the International Space Station (ISS) in 2005.

Google on Monday marked the 40th anniversary of the first human footsteps on the moon by adding virtual lunar exploration to its free online Earth map and imagery service.

Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin joined Google, X Prize Foundation, and NASA officials in Washington, DC, for the launch of Moon in Google Earth.

Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Aldrin on July 20, 1969 became the first men to walk on the moon.

Moon in Google Earth meshes “Street View” style panoramic photographs and NASA video taken on the surface of the moon to create a virtual moonscape.

Apollo program astronauts Jack Schmitt and Aldrin provided narration for online lunar tours.

“This tool will make it easier for millions of people to learn about space, our moon and some of the most significant and dazzling discoveries humanity has accomplished together,” said X Prize Foundation trustee Anousheh Ansari, the first female private space explorer.

Moon incorporates images taken during Apollo missions and pictures from satellites.

Along with tours of the moon’s surface, Google Earth’s new feature shows “human artifacts” left there by space missions.

Source: AFP