Did China copy NASA moon photo?

The head scientist of China's flagship lunar probe programme has been forced to defend the authenticity of its first published photograph after internet moon-gazers suggested it might be a copy.

The Chinese prime minister, Wen Jiabao, unveiled the first photograph sent back on the inaugural mission of the Chang-e 1 lunar probe amid much patriotic emotion last week.

But in a response to public scepticism unusual for such a token of national pride, internet bulletin boards began pointing out the similarity of the photograph to one published by NASA, the American space agency, two years ago.
 
Ouyang Ziyuan, head scientist of the China Lunar Exploration Project, issued a statement insisting the photograph had not been copied and really was genuine.