Log onto www.moonzoo.org for a virtual walk on the moon

Washington, May 12 (ANI): Scientists are inviting members of the public to make a significant contribution to scientific knowledge about the Moon.

However, no spacesuit or rocket ship is required - all visitors need to do is go to www.moonzoo.org and be among the first to see the lunar surface in unprecedented detail.

New high-resolution images, taken by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC), offer exciting clues to unveil or reveal the history of the Moon and our solar system.

The Moon Zoo Web site is a citizen science project developed by the Citizen Science Alliance, a group of research organizations and museums, and builds on the team's success with Galaxy Zoo, which has involved more than 250,000 people in astronomical research.

"We need Web users around the world to help us interpret these stunning new images of the lunar surface. If you only spend five minutes on the site counting craters you'll be making a valuable contribution to science and, who knows, you might run across a Russian spacecraft," said Chris Lintott of Oxford University and chair of the Citizen Science Alliance.

Scientists are particularly interested in knowing how many craters appear in a particular region of the Moon in order to determine the age and depth of the lunar surface. Fresh craters left by recent impacts provide clues about the potential risks from meteor strikes on the Moon and on Earth.

"We hope to address key questions about the impact bombardment history of the Moon and discover sites of geological interest that have never been seen before," said Katherine Joy of the Lunar and Planetary Institute and a Moon Zoo science team member.

NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI) scientists are contributing to the Moon Zoo efforts by providing science expertise. NLSI is also providing educational content and supporting outreach goals of the project.

David Morrison, NLSI director, said: "The NASA Lunar Science Institute is very excited to be involved with Moon Zoo and support lunar citizen science," "Science and public outreach are cornerstones of our Institute; Moon Zoo will contribute to the accomplishment of important science, while being a major step forward in participatory exploration."

Rich Vondrak, LRO project scientist from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md, said: "The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Project Science Office is excited to see LRO data being used for citizen science projects. The Moon Zoo project provides an opportunity for everyone to participate in analysis of images from the LRO Camera and to make a significant contribution to scientific knowledge about the Moon." (ANI)