New Comprehensive Geologic Map of the Moon Released
USGS Astrogeology training astronauts Meteor Crater
Close Up on Jezero Crater on Mars
Lunar Resources at Astrogeology
Learn about USGS Astrogeology's mission science in planetary critical minerals, energy, and resources
Learn about USGS Astrogeology's mission science in planetary critical minerals, energy, and resources
Astrogeology Science Center
Our mission is to serve the Nation, the international planetary science community, and the public in pursuit of new knowledge of our solar system. The USGS Astrogeology Science Center is a national resource for the integration of planetary geoscience, cartography, and remote sensing.
News
USGS Astrogeology Science Center: Where dreams take flight
USGS Astrogeology Science Center: Where dreams take flight
Artemis II Mission returns to the Moon
Artemis II Mission returns to the Moon
Hats off to the Voyagers in 2026: The little spacecraft that could!
Hats off to the Voyagers in 2026: The little spacecraft that could!
Publications
Morphometric properties of the CP-21 landing site on the Moon at Mons Gruithuisen Gamma Morphometric properties of the CP-21 landing site on the Moon at Mons Gruithuisen Gamma
Characterizing terrain surface properties is an essential step in assessing the feasibility of landing successfully at a location on a planetary surface. Slopes and terrain ruggedness index (TRI) values derived from high-resolution (2 m pixel−1) digital terrain models provided important constraints in selecting the landing site for the upcoming Payloads and Research Investigations on the...
Semantic segmentation of light-toned veins in multimodal ChemCam data Semantic segmentation of light-toned veins in multimodal ChemCam data
Since the Mars Science Laboratory landed in 2012, the ChemCam instrument aboard the rover has collected in-situ laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) data and context images along more than 35 km of the Gale Crater traverse, providing valuable observations including diagenetic features such as light-toned veins. These veins are of particular scientific interest because they are...
Ultramafic float rocks at Jezero crater (Mars): Excavation of lower crustal rocks or mantle peridotites by impact cratering? Ultramafic float rocks at Jezero crater (Mars): Excavation of lower crustal rocks or mantle peridotites by impact cratering?
Based on observation and data from meteorites and in situ scientific missions, experiments as well as models, the Martian mantle is assumed to share some compositional and mineralogical affinity with the terrestrial mantle. However, there might be subtle differences like the Martian mantle being more ferroan. Yet, we do not have any direct analysis of a Martian mantle rock to confirm...
Science
Eyes on Earth Episode 137 – Landsat Takes Yellowstone’s Temperature
How do you keep track of thousands of hot spots in an area the size of Yellowstone National Park? Check out thermal satellite data like Landsat’s!
Python Hyperspectral Analysis Tool (PyHAT)
The Python Hyperspectral Analysis Tool (PyHAT) provides access to data processing, analysis, and machine learning capabilities for spectroscopic applications. It includes a GUI so you can get straight to analyzing data without writing any code. Or, if you are comfortable writing code, PyHAT can be imported just like any other Python package.
Analysis Ready Data
Astrogeology is a world leader in developing and releasing analysis-ready planetary science data sets that are approachable and usable by anyone. We take care of all of the processing and provide data that "just work" so that users can focus on what interests them instead of getting stuck on data processing.