In the past few years, we have covered plenty of cool gift ideas for astronomy enthusiasts. This 30cm Topographic Moon Globe is also worth a look. Digital terrain maps from NASA were used with computer controlled milling machines to make these.
Here is how these are made:
high definition three dimensional topographic master is created using digital terrain maps from NASA and a specially adapted computer controlled milling machine cutting at 64 microns. Several layers of metal powder, graphite and resin are slowly built up in a mold taken from the topographic master. Finally each globe is finished by hand, this includes creating the surface toning and finish, adding a brass dividing ring, inscribing 30 degree meridian lines and carefully adding text and feature names before final finishing and protective coatings.
Each globe comes with a solid aluminum base. The globe and its stand weigh around 2.5kg.
