The moon has been a source of fascination for centuries, appearing in numerous poems and artworks. Now you can have this natural satellite inside your home thanks to the highly accurate lunar globe designed and made by Oscar Lhermitte and Kudu. The project started four years ago and required extensive research and innovative solutions to bring the team’s vision to life. Using NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter topographic data and modern 3D printing techniques along with craftsmanship and mold making knowledge, the designers and mechanical engineers created the most accurate and detailed lunar globe to date. Craters, ridges, and elevations are beautifully visible on the 1/20 million replica of the moon, and even more so on the 1/11.5 million version. The addition of an LED ring that rotates around the object and mimics the sun creates a captivating effect, enhancing the textured surface and the 3D effect further. You can observe the lunar phases in real time as they can be seen from Earth, and also see the more mysterious “far side” of the moon. The globe has three modes: it can be set to show a certain phase, all the phases in a quick demo of 30 seconds, or a live mode, which can be set to coordinate with the real moon. Moon is made from Polyurethane resin and has a weight of 3.15 lbs and a diameter of 6.8 inches, while the larger model measures 11.8 inches in diameter. The Kickstarter campaign to fund the project has surpassed its goal in the first two days, showing that we are still completely in awe with Earth’s only natural satellite. Images courtesy of Oscar Lhermitte and Kudu.

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