ISRO reveals stunning 3D images of moon's surface

A day after ISRO put the Vikram Lander into sleep mode, the space agency astounded the world by sharing 3D images of the lunar surface.

ISRO took to Twitter (now known as X) to unveil this 3D lunar portrait, elucidating that it was meticulously crafted using both left and right images from the NavCam Stereo on board.

ISRO presented the intriguing 3D 'anaglyph' image of the Vikram lander from Chandrayaan 3, at the moon's South Pole. This image boasts a unique composition—where the left channel showcases the red aspect, and the right channel encompasses the green and blue spectrums. This unusual blend results in a visually captivating display.


According to ISRO, "The Anaglyph presented here is created using NavCam Stereo Images, which consist of both a left and right image captured onboard the Pragyan Rover."

"Red & Cyan glasses are recommended for viewing in 3D," ISRO added.

An anaglyph is essentially a 3D representation of an object, depicted using three primary colors—red, blue, and green—from multiple vantage points. In this particular 3D rendering, the left image is attributed to the red channel, while the right one is allocated to the blue and green channels, culminating in a striking cyan appearance. The variance in perspective generates a stereoscopic effect, offering an illusion of three-dimensional depth.

These captivating lunar images were made accessible shortly after ISRO declared that the Vikram Lander entered sleep mode on the morning of September 4th, at approximately 8 a.m. IST. ISRO clarified that once the data amassed by the payloads is transmitted to Earth and their assigned tasks are accomplished, they are powered down. The reawakening of Vikram Lander and Pragyaan is anticipated around September 22.

The triumphant achievement of Chandrayaan 3 has propelled India into an elite league, as it becomes the fourth nation globally to successfully land on the south pole of the moon.