By Lee Kyoung Mi

Photo and video = Korea Aerospace Research Institute

The nation's first lunar orbiter Danuri has transmitted photos of Earth and the moon taken on the first day of the new year. 

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute on Jan. 3 released the pictures of Earth and the moon's surface taken by Danuri after it performed the maneuver lunar orbiter insertion. 

The images were filmed from Dec. 24-28, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. The high-resolution camera lunar terrain imager installed on the orbiter took the photos that vividly show craters on the lunar poles and the appearance of Earth. The plan is to continuously film the lunar surface to find the most suitable spot for a landing in 2032. 

Entering its mission orbit on Dec. 27, the orbiter is checking the performance of its payload and correcting errors and distortions. Next month, it will conduct science and technology missions like filming the lunar surface and permanently shadowed regions, observing and studying the moon's magnetic field and gamma rays, and confirming space internet technology. 

Danuri on Dec. 24 took this photo 344 km above the moon.