Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Browse here for some of our available imagery. We may get permission to use some non-USGS images and these should be marked and are subject to copyright laws. USGS Astrogeology images can be freely downloaded.
Between 1967 and 1979, USGS scientist Dr. David Roddy conducted a drilling program at Flynn Creek crater. The drilling program produced more than 3.8 km of nearly continuous core from 18 separate drill holes. These samples are now contained in 2,261 standard core storage boxes at the USGS in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Between 1967 and 1979, USGS scientist Dr. David Roddy conducted a drilling program at Flynn Creek crater. The drilling program produced more than 3.8 km of nearly continuous core from 18 separate drill holes. These samples are now contained in 2,261 standard core storage boxes at the USGS in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Between 1967 and 1979, USGS scientist Dr. David Roddy conducted a drilling program at Flynn Creek crater. The drilling program produced more than 3.8 km of nearly continuous core from 18 separate drill holes. These samples are now contained in 2,261 standard core storage boxes at the USGS in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Between 1967 and 1979, USGS scientist Dr. David Roddy conducted a drilling program at Flynn Creek crater. The drilling program produced more than 3.8 km of nearly continuous core from 18 separate drill holes. These samples are now contained in 2,261 standard core storage boxes at the USGS in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Between 1967 and 1979, USGS scientist Dr. David Roddy conducted a drilling program at Flynn Creek crater. The drilling program produced more than 3.8 km of nearly continuous core from 18 separate drill holes. These samples are now contained in 2,261 standard core storage boxes at the USGS in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Between 1967 and 1979, USGS scientist Dr. David Roddy conducted a drilling program at Flynn Creek crater. The drilling program produced more than 3.8 km of nearly continuous core from 18 separate drill holes. These samples are now contained in 2,261 standard core storage boxes at the USGS in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Between 1967 and 1979, USGS scientist Dr. David Roddy conducted a drilling program at Flynn Creek crater. The drilling program produced more than 3.8 km of nearly continuous core from 18 separate drill holes. These samples are now contained in 2,261 standard core storage boxes at the USGS in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Between 1967 and 1979, USGS scientist Dr. David Roddy conducted a drilling program at Flynn Creek crater. The drilling program produced more than 3.8 km of nearly continuous core from 18 separate drill holes. These samples are now contained in 2,261 standard core storage boxes at the USGS in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Between 1967 and 1979, USGS scientist Dr. David Roddy conducted a drilling program at Flynn Creek crater. The drilling program produced more than 3.8 km of nearly continuous core from 18 separate drill holes. These samples are now contained in 2,261 standard core storage boxes at the USGS in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Between 1967 and 1979, USGS scientist Dr. David Roddy conducted a drilling program at Flynn Creek crater. The drilling program produced more than 3.8 km of nearly continuous core from 18 separate drill holes. These samples are now contained in 2,261 standard core storage boxes at the USGS in Flagstaff, Arizona.
This photograph shows Gene Shoemaker wearing a prototype rocket jetpack during field testing in Hopi Buttes, AZ in 1966. The USGS Astrogeology Science Center, which Shoemaker founded, played an integral role in field testing equipment for the Apollo missions to the Moon.
This photograph shows Gene Shoemaker wearing a prototype rocket jetpack during field testing in Hopi Buttes, AZ in 1966. The USGS Astrogeology Science Center, which Shoemaker founded, played an integral role in field testing equipment for the Apollo missions to the Moon.
USGS IMAP 462: (LAC-40) Geologic map and section of the Timocharis region of the Moon
By: M.H. Carr
Map and associated documents are available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i462
USGS IMAP 462: (LAC-40) Geologic map and section of the Timocharis region of the Moon
By: M.H. Carr
Map and associated documents are available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i462
Image of USGS staff member Joe O'Connor in a prototype Apollo space suit and cowboy hat. This image is Figure 31a in "The U.S. Geological Survey, Branch of Astrogeology—A Chronology of Activities from Conception through the End of Project Apollo (1960-
1973)". The original caption is:
Image of USGS staff member Joe O'Connor in a prototype Apollo space suit and cowboy hat. This image is Figure 31a in "The U.S. Geological Survey, Branch of Astrogeology—A Chronology of Activities from Conception through the End of Project Apollo (1960-
1973)". The original caption is:
It had long been decided that the astronauts on the Moon would be equipped with a vehicle that would enable them to explore farther than the few feet that would be reachable in their cumbersome space suites, so NASA called for examples of suitable vehicles.
It had long been decided that the astronauts on the Moon would be equipped with a vehicle that would enable them to explore farther than the few feet that would be reachable in their cumbersome space suites, so NASA called for examples of suitable vehicles.
USGS Astrogeology had a vehicle section in the 1960s, aided by a well-equipped machine shop. We set to work and in a remarkably short time produced a very workable vehicle, Grover, for the princely sum of \$2,000, using salvaged parts.
USGS Astrogeology had a vehicle section in the 1960s, aided by a well-equipped machine shop. We set to work and in a remarkably short time produced a very workable vehicle, Grover, for the princely sum of \$2,000, using salvaged parts.
The Apollo astronauts were not especially enthused about the geology training; they were test pilots, aeronautical engineers, military people, and they had enough on their plate in preparation for their missions that they did not need additional tasks.
The Apollo astronauts were not especially enthused about the geology training; they were test pilots, aeronautical engineers, military people, and they had enough on their plate in preparation for their missions that they did not need additional tasks.
Members of the Astrogeologic Studies (Astro), and Surface Planetary Exploration (SPE) branches of the early USGS Astrogeology Science Center. Astro determined what should be studied, and SPE created the procedures, tools, protocols and communication methods needed to do the learning.
Members of the Astrogeologic Studies (Astro), and Surface Planetary Exploration (SPE) branches of the early USGS Astrogeology Science Center. Astro determined what should be studied, and SPE created the procedures, tools, protocols and communication methods needed to do the learning.
Grover the Geologic Rover, a terrestrial analog to the Lunar Roving Vehicle, driving in a terrestrial analog of a potential Apollo landing site.
Grover the Geologic Rover, a terrestrial analog to the Lunar Roving Vehicle, driving in a terrestrial analog of a potential Apollo landing site.
Gene Shoemaker working on Apollo data, in his characteristic bolo tie. Gene was one of the founders of USGS Astrogeology and an early pioneer of planetary science.
Gene Shoemaker working on Apollo data, in his characteristic bolo tie. Gene was one of the founders of USGS Astrogeology and an early pioneer of planetary science.
Bobby Philpott sitting on bags of explosives as he assembled the dynamite sticks used as detonator has been a popular image used to represent the creation of the Cinder Lake Crater Fields. In the photos of the explosions we can see ejection of material skyward, from explosive charge instead of asteroid impact, yet the result remains the same – craters.
Bobby Philpott sitting on bags of explosives as he assembled the dynamite sticks used as detonator has been a popular image used to represent the creation of the Cinder Lake Crater Fields. In the photos of the explosions we can see ejection of material skyward, from explosive charge instead of asteroid impact, yet the result remains the same – craters.
In this photo during the creation of Cinder Lake Crater Field, a cameraman records explosions in the distance. We can see ejection of material skyward, from explosive charge instead of asteroid impact, yet the result remains the same – craters!
In this photo during the creation of Cinder Lake Crater Field, a cameraman records explosions in the distance. We can see ejection of material skyward, from explosive charge instead of asteroid impact, yet the result remains the same – craters!
The very cumbersome tool cart being tested in the Verde Valley training exercises. The tool cart was later replaced by the tool rack, affixed to the Lunar Roving Vehicle and not pulled by the astronauts directly.
The very cumbersome tool cart being tested in the Verde Valley training exercises. The tool cart was later replaced by the tool rack, affixed to the Lunar Roving Vehicle and not pulled by the astronauts directly.
In the early days of Apollo and immediately after, USGS Astrogeology had a vehicle section in Flagstaff; it was composed of Dick Weiser, Billy Tinnin and boss, Putty Mills, aided by a well-equipped machine shop run by Walt Fahey.
In the early days of Apollo and immediately after, USGS Astrogeology had a vehicle section in Flagstaff; it was composed of Dick Weiser, Billy Tinnin and boss, Putty Mills, aided by a well-equipped machine shop run by Walt Fahey.
USGS IMAP 385: (LAC-75) Geologic map and sections of the Letronne region of the moon
By: C.H. Marshall
Map and associated data are available from the USGS Publication Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i385
USGS IMAP 385: (LAC-75) Geologic map and sections of the Letronne region of the moon
By: C.H. Marshall
Map and associated data are available from the USGS Publication Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i385
The Sputnik 1 spacecraft, the world's first artificial Earth satellite, launched by the Soviet Union in 1957.
The Sputnik 1 spacecraft, the world's first artificial Earth satellite, launched by the Soviet Union in 1957.
View of the Stullwater Mine, where rocks are collected for making lunar regolith simulant.
__________
The USGS has created man-made moon dirt, or regolith, to help NASA prepare for upcoming moon explorations. Four tons of the simulant is expected to be made by this summer of 2009 and turned over to the scientific community involved in lunar exploration.
View of the Stullwater Mine, where rocks are collected for making lunar regolith simulant.
__________
The USGS has created man-made moon dirt, or regolith, to help NASA prepare for upcoming moon explorations. Four tons of the simulant is expected to be made by this summer of 2009 and turned over to the scientific community involved in lunar exploration.