Images

The Mast Camera (Mastcam) on NASA's Curiosity Mars rover captured this mosaic as it explored the "clay-bearing unit" on Feb. 3, 2019 (Sol 2309). This landscape includes the rocky landmark nicknamed "Knockfarril Hill" (center right) and the edge of Vera Rubin Ridge, which runs along the top of the scene.

In preperation for Apollo 15, David Scott and James Irwin trained with a training version of the Lunar Rover known as the "Grover". Apollo 15 was the first mission to bring a rover. This allowed the astronauts to cover a larger distance and explore a larger area. 

USGS SIM 3389: Geologic map of the Nepenthes Planum Region, Mars

By James A. Skinner and Kenneth L. Tanaka

Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3389

Active barchan dune at Grand Falls Dune Field. Dark grains to the left of the slipface are volcanic and derived from local cinder cones from the San Francisco volcanic field, the lighter-colored tan sand is sourced from the Little Colorado River. 

This is a photo of a pink sand dune in Utah.

This HiRISE image cutout shows Recurring Slope Lineae in Tivat crater on Mars in enhanced color. The narrow, dark flows descend downhill (towards the upper left). Analysis shows that the flows all end at approximately the same slope, which is similar to the angle of repose for sand.

Image Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/Arizona State University

Published: October 20, 2017

The near side of Earth's Moon, as seen based on data from cameras aboard NASA's robotic Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft.

This orthographic projection shows dwarf planet Ceres as seen by NASA's Dawn spacecraft. The projection is centered on Occator Crater, home to the brightest area on Ceres. Occator is centered at 20 degrees north latitude, 239 degrees east longitude.

USGS SIM 3356: Geologic map of Meridiani Planum, Mars

By: Brian M. Hynek and Gaetano Di Achille

Map and associated data available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3356

USGS and Oregon State University scientists deploying electromagnetic sensors in the field.

Infrared mosaic image of Mars Gale crater by the Thermal Emission Imaging Spectrometer (THEMIS) of the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and Arizona State University. The Mars Science Laboratory is scheduled to land in Gale crater Aug. 5, 2012.

During the 2nd International Planetary Caves Conference, attendees explored Lava River cave, located near Flagstaff, Arizona. This photo was taken using time-lapse photography and the light streak is the result of person walking with a headlamp.

Attendees of the 2nd International Planetary Caves Conference pose for a photo. Participants include a local high-school robotics team, called the CocoNuts.

During the 2nd International Planetary Caves Conference, attendees explored a 1.6-kilometer-long lava tube cave, northwest of Flagstaff, Arizona.

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft captured this high-resolution enhanced color view of Pluto on July 14, 2015. The image combines blue, red and infrared images taken by the Ralph/Multispectral Visual Imaging Camera (MVIC). Pluto's surface sports a remarkable range of subtle colors, enhanced in this view to a rainbow of pale blues, yellows, oranges, and deep reds.

The LOLA and Kaguya Teams have created an improved lunar digital elevation model (DEM) covering latitudes within ±60°, at a horizontal resolution of 512 pixels per degree (∼59 m at the equator) and a typical vertical accuracy ∼3 to 4 m.

The Agnesi quadrangle (V–45), named for centrally located Agnesi crater, encompasses approximately 6,500,000 km² extending from lat 25° to 50° S. and from long 30° to 60° E. The V–45 quadrangle lies within Venus’ lowland broadly between highlands Ovda Regio to the northeast and Alpha Regio to the west.

USGS SIM 3309: Bedrock Geologic and Structural Map Through the Western Candor Colles Region of Mars

By Chris H. Okubo

Map package and all GIS materials are available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3309

This global geologic map of Mars, which records the distribution of geologic units and landforms on the planet's surface through time, is based on unprecedented variety, quality, and quantity of remotely sensed data acquired since the Viking Orbiters.

USGS scientist Ren Thompson (in yellow) explaining the geology of Wild and scenic Rivers to the astronauts and fellow instructors and NASA staff.