To celebrate the first manned landing on the moon by Apollo 11 on July 20, 1969, the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) 2009 Malta committee has created a unique photo of the moon though a project entitled 'The moon for all Mankind'.

It comprises a collage of segments of the moon's surface photographed from 24 different countries from all five continents. Most of the photos were taken during the full moons last May and June. However, Italy's entry is a 400-year-old sketch by Galileo Galilei, the first person to observe the moon through a telescope and create detailed maps of its surface, some of which have been preserved.

Also included is an image taken by the EU's Smart-1 spacecraft.

The photo and project details may be viewed at http://iya2009malta.page.tl/The-moon-for-all-mankind.htm. There is also an audiovisual production on the project, animated with background music specially composed by Lynn Faure, which may be accessed at the website: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIIn_LXV_J8&fmt=18.

The inspiration for the project came from the words on the plaque on the 'Eagle' Apollo 11 lunar module, which still remains on the moon. It reads: "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon. July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind."

The IYA also marks the 50th anniversary of the first unmanned lunar landing by the Russian Luna 2 spacecraft and the 400th anniversary since Galileo's first turned his telescope to the night sky.