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Photos of the earth (left) and the moon (right)
Photo: Yonhap/EPA
South Korea's first lunar probe has provided spectacular images of the moon's surface as well as Earth.
The South Korean space research institute Kari announced that the "Danuri" probe took the black-and-white images between December 24 and January 1.
They were shot at a distance of 120 kilometers from the moon.
South Korea also wants to use the images to identify possible landing sites for a moon landing in 2032.
According to South Korea's space center, "Danuri" takes two hours to orbit the moon.
The probe will begin its actual scientific mission next month.
It is designed to map and analyze the lunar surface and measure magnetic and gamma radiation.
South Korea launched its first self-developed space rocket in June.
In August, however, a Falcon 9 rocket from the private US space company SpaceX was used to launch »Danuri« into space.
In Asia, China, Japan and India already have advanced space programs.
In addition to the moon landing in 2032, South Korea is already planning a Mars mission in 2045.
In Europe, on the other hand, according to experts, too little is happening.
Read here why mistakes of the past are taking revenge.
ani/AFP
