Sino-VirtualMoon: A 3D web platform using Chang’E-1 data for collaborative research

The successful launch of the Chinese Chang’E-1 satellite created a valuable opportunity for lunar research, and represented China’s remarkable leap in deep space exploration. With the observed data acquired by Chang’E-1 satellite, a web platform was developed aims at providing an open research workspace for experts to conduct collaborative scientific research on the Moon. Excepting for supporting 3D visualization, the platform also provides collaborative tools for the basic geospatial analysis of the Moon, and supports collaborative simulation about the dynamic formation of lunar impact craters caused by the collision of meteors (or small asteroids). Based on this platform, related multidisciplinary experts can contribute their domain knowledge conveniently for collaborative scientific research of the Moon.