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
September 22nd: Art and Science Converge at USGS for a Flagstaff Festival of Science Exhibition
September 22nd: Art and Science Converge at USGS for a Flagstaff Festival of Science Exhibition
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4604-4606: Taking a Deep Breath of Martian Air
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4604-4606: Taking a Deep Breath of Martian Air
Our Happy Place!: FSC Annual Poster Social Convened
Our Happy Place!: FSC Annual Poster Social Convened
Publications
Rare earth elements on the Moon Rare earth elements on the Moon
Rare earth elements (REEs) are a scarce but vital resource for our modern economies and lifestyles. Since the late 1990s, China has supplied the vast majority of the world’s refined REEs. Increasing global demand has broadened the search for REE deposits to unconventional places, including the Moon. Although most lunar rocks have very low REE concentrations, Apollo samples showed that...
Python Hyperspectral Analysis Tool (PyHAT) user guide Python Hyperspectral Analysis Tool (PyHAT) user guide
This report is a user guide for the 0.1.2 release of the Python Hyperspectral Analysis Tool (PyHAT) and its graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI is intended to provide an intuitive front end to allow users to apply sophisticated preprocessing and analysis methods to spectroscopic data. Though the PyHAT package has been developed with a particular focus on laser-induced breakdown...
Astronomical optical interferometry from the lunar surface: High sensitivity at sub-miliarcsecond scales Astronomical optical interferometry from the lunar surface: High sensitivity at sub-miliarcsecond scales
The lunar surface is a compelling opportunity for large, distributed optical facilities, with significant advantages over orbital facilities for high spatial resolution astrophysics. Serious development of mission concepts is timely because of the confluence of multiple compelling factors. First, lunar access technology is maturing rapidly, in the form of both US uncrewed and crewed...
Science
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.
Planetary Volcanology
The USGS Astrogeology Science Center conducts research on planetary volcanology. Volcanism is a key part of the chemical and thermal evolution of planetary bodies, and volcanic eruptions are one of the fundamental processes that create and alter the surface of planetary bodies. We often study volcanoes on Earth in order to better understand eruptions across the Solar System, but we also bring...