NASA's Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image using its Front Hazard Avoidance Camera (Front Hazcam) on Feb. 23, 2025 — sol 4462, or Martian day 4,462 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission — at 21:43:37 UTC.
Does the USGS produce mapping for other planetary bodies?
The USGS Astrogeology Science Center was founded in 1963 to map the Moon and assist in training the Apollo astronauts. Currently its mission includes producing planetary maps and cartographic products which reveal topography, geology, topology, image mosaics and more, all made available to the international scientific community and the general public as a national resource.
Related
How can I tell if I have found an impact crater? How can I tell if I have found an impact crater?
There are many natural processes other than impacts that can create circular features and depressions on the surface of the Earth. Examples include glaciation, volcanism, sinkholes, atolls, salt domes, intrusions, and hydrothermal explosions (to name just a few). Prehistoric mines and quarries are also sometimes mistaken for impact craters. Although the USGS has been involved in impact crater...
Is it true that Earth's magnetic field occasionally reverses its polarity? Is it true that Earth's magnetic field occasionally reverses its polarity?
Yes. We can see evidence of magnetic polarity reversals by examining the geologic record. When lavas or sediments solidify, they often preserve a signature of the ambient magnetic field at the time of deposition. Incredible as it may seem, the magnetic field occasionally flips over! The geomagnetic poles are currently roughly coincident with the geographic poles, but occasionally the magnetic...
What is a magnetic storm? What is a magnetic storm?
A magnetic storm is a period of rapid magnetic field variation. It can last from hours to days. Magnetic storms have two basic causes: The Sun sometimes emits a strong surge of solar wind called a coronal mass ejection. This gust of solar wind disturbs the outer part of the Earth's magnetic field, which undergoes a complex oscillation. This generates associated electric currents in the near-Earth...
Do animals use the magnetic field for orientation? Do animals use the magnetic field for orientation?
Yes. There is evidence that some animals, like sea turtles and salmon, have the ability to sense the Earth's magnetic field (although probably not consciously) and to use this sense for navigation.
What are the hazards of magnetic storms? What are the hazards of magnetic storms?
Our technology based infrastructure can be adversely affected by rapid magnetic field variations. This is especially true during “magnetic storms." Because the ionosphere is heated and distorted during storms, long range radio communication that relies on sub-ionospheric reflection can be difficult or impossible and global-positioning system (GPS) communications can be degraded. Ionospheric...
Curiosirt Mars Rover Hazcam Image: Sol 4462
NASA's Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image using its Front Hazard Avoidance Camera (Front Hazcam) on Feb. 23, 2025 — sol 4462, or Martian day 4,462 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission — at 21:43:37 UTC.
Pluto New Horizons MVIC Enhanced Color Image
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.
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.
PubTalk 10/2012 — Exploring Mars With Curiosity
by Ken Herkenhoff, USGS Astrogeology Science Center
by Ken Herkenhoff, USGS Astrogeology Science Center
USGS SIM 2888: Geologic map of the northern plains of Mars
USGS SIM 2888: Geologic map of the northern plains of Mars
By K. L. Tanaka, J. A. Skinner, and T. M. Hare
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/sim2888
USGS SIM 2888: Geologic map of the northern plains of Mars
By K. L. Tanaka, J. A. Skinner, and T. M. Hare
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/sim2888
Venus Magellan Color Topography
The hemispheric view of Venus, as revealed by more than a decade of radar investigations culminating in the 1990-1994 Magellan mission, is centered at 180 degrees east longitude. The Magellan spacecraft imaged more than 98% of Venus at a resolution of about 100 meters; the effective resolution of this image is about 3 km.
The hemispheric view of Venus, as revealed by more than a decade of radar investigations culminating in the 1990-1994 Magellan mission, is centered at 180 degrees east longitude. The Magellan spacecraft imaged more than 98% of Venus at a resolution of about 100 meters; the effective resolution of this image is about 3 km.
Europa Galileo SSI Natural Color Mosaic
This image shows two views of the trailing hemisphere of Jupiter's ice-covered satellite, Europa. The left image shows the approximate natural color appearance of Europa. The image on the right is a false-color composite version combining violet, green and infrared images to enhance color differences in the predominantly water-ice crust of Europa.
This image shows two views of the trailing hemisphere of Jupiter's ice-covered satellite, Europa. The left image shows the approximate natural color appearance of Europa. The image on the right is a false-color composite version combining violet, green and infrared images to enhance color differences in the predominantly water-ice crust of Europa.
INSET: USGS IMAP 1658: Geologic map of the Discovery Quadrangle of Mercury
Inset of USGS IMAP 1658: Geologic map of the Discovery Quadrangle of Mercury
By N. J. Trask and D. Dzurisin
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i1658
Inset of USGS IMAP 1658: Geologic map of the Discovery Quadrangle of Mercury
By N. J. Trask and D. Dzurisin
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i1658
USGS IMAP 1162: Geologic map of the south side of the Moon
USGS IMAP 1162: Geologic map of the south side of the Moon
By D.E. Wilhelms, K.A. Howard, and H. G. Wilshire
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i1162
USGS IMAP 1162: Geologic map of the south side of the Moon
By D.E. Wilhelms, K.A. Howard, and H. G. Wilshire
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i1162
1969 Earth Rise from Moon Apollo 11
1969 Earth Rise from Moon Apollo 11 - EROS History Project
1969 Earth Rise from Moon Apollo 11 - EROS History Project
USGS IMAP 515: (LAC-58) Geologic map of the Copernicus quadrangle of the moon
USGS IMAP 515: (LAC-58) Geologic map of the Copernicus quadrangle of the moon
By H. H. Schmitt, N. J. Trask, and E. M. Shoemaker
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i515
USGS IMAP 515: (LAC-58) Geologic map of the Copernicus quadrangle of the moon
By H. H. Schmitt, N. J. Trask, and E. M. Shoemaker
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i515
Related
How can I tell if I have found an impact crater? How can I tell if I have found an impact crater?
There are many natural processes other than impacts that can create circular features and depressions on the surface of the Earth. Examples include glaciation, volcanism, sinkholes, atolls, salt domes, intrusions, and hydrothermal explosions (to name just a few). Prehistoric mines and quarries are also sometimes mistaken for impact craters. Although the USGS has been involved in impact crater...
Is it true that Earth's magnetic field occasionally reverses its polarity? Is it true that Earth's magnetic field occasionally reverses its polarity?
Yes. We can see evidence of magnetic polarity reversals by examining the geologic record. When lavas or sediments solidify, they often preserve a signature of the ambient magnetic field at the time of deposition. Incredible as it may seem, the magnetic field occasionally flips over! The geomagnetic poles are currently roughly coincident with the geographic poles, but occasionally the magnetic...
What is a magnetic storm? What is a magnetic storm?
A magnetic storm is a period of rapid magnetic field variation. It can last from hours to days. Magnetic storms have two basic causes: The Sun sometimes emits a strong surge of solar wind called a coronal mass ejection. This gust of solar wind disturbs the outer part of the Earth's magnetic field, which undergoes a complex oscillation. This generates associated electric currents in the near-Earth...
Do animals use the magnetic field for orientation? Do animals use the magnetic field for orientation?
Yes. There is evidence that some animals, like sea turtles and salmon, have the ability to sense the Earth's magnetic field (although probably not consciously) and to use this sense for navigation.
What are the hazards of magnetic storms? What are the hazards of magnetic storms?
Our technology based infrastructure can be adversely affected by rapid magnetic field variations. This is especially true during “magnetic storms." Because the ionosphere is heated and distorted during storms, long range radio communication that relies on sub-ionospheric reflection can be difficult or impossible and global-positioning system (GPS) communications can be degraded. Ionospheric...
Curiosirt Mars Rover Hazcam Image: Sol 4462
NASA's Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image using its Front Hazard Avoidance Camera (Front Hazcam) on Feb. 23, 2025 — sol 4462, or Martian day 4,462 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission — at 21:43:37 UTC.
NASA's Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image using its Front Hazard Avoidance Camera (Front Hazcam) on Feb. 23, 2025 — sol 4462, or Martian day 4,462 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission — at 21:43:37 UTC.
Pluto New Horizons MVIC Enhanced Color Image
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.
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.
PubTalk 10/2012 — Exploring Mars With Curiosity
by Ken Herkenhoff, USGS Astrogeology Science Center
by Ken Herkenhoff, USGS Astrogeology Science Center
USGS SIM 2888: Geologic map of the northern plains of Mars
USGS SIM 2888: Geologic map of the northern plains of Mars
By K. L. Tanaka, J. A. Skinner, and T. M. Hare
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/sim2888
USGS SIM 2888: Geologic map of the northern plains of Mars
By K. L. Tanaka, J. A. Skinner, and T. M. Hare
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/sim2888
Venus Magellan Color Topography
The hemispheric view of Venus, as revealed by more than a decade of radar investigations culminating in the 1990-1994 Magellan mission, is centered at 180 degrees east longitude. The Magellan spacecraft imaged more than 98% of Venus at a resolution of about 100 meters; the effective resolution of this image is about 3 km.
The hemispheric view of Venus, as revealed by more than a decade of radar investigations culminating in the 1990-1994 Magellan mission, is centered at 180 degrees east longitude. The Magellan spacecraft imaged more than 98% of Venus at a resolution of about 100 meters; the effective resolution of this image is about 3 km.
Europa Galileo SSI Natural Color Mosaic
This image shows two views of the trailing hemisphere of Jupiter's ice-covered satellite, Europa. The left image shows the approximate natural color appearance of Europa. The image on the right is a false-color composite version combining violet, green and infrared images to enhance color differences in the predominantly water-ice crust of Europa.
This image shows two views of the trailing hemisphere of Jupiter's ice-covered satellite, Europa. The left image shows the approximate natural color appearance of Europa. The image on the right is a false-color composite version combining violet, green and infrared images to enhance color differences in the predominantly water-ice crust of Europa.
INSET: USGS IMAP 1658: Geologic map of the Discovery Quadrangle of Mercury
Inset of USGS IMAP 1658: Geologic map of the Discovery Quadrangle of Mercury
By N. J. Trask and D. Dzurisin
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i1658
Inset of USGS IMAP 1658: Geologic map of the Discovery Quadrangle of Mercury
By N. J. Trask and D. Dzurisin
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i1658
USGS IMAP 1162: Geologic map of the south side of the Moon
USGS IMAP 1162: Geologic map of the south side of the Moon
By D.E. Wilhelms, K.A. Howard, and H. G. Wilshire
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i1162
USGS IMAP 1162: Geologic map of the south side of the Moon
By D.E. Wilhelms, K.A. Howard, and H. G. Wilshire
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i1162
1969 Earth Rise from Moon Apollo 11
1969 Earth Rise from Moon Apollo 11 - EROS History Project
1969 Earth Rise from Moon Apollo 11 - EROS History Project
USGS IMAP 515: (LAC-58) Geologic map of the Copernicus quadrangle of the moon
USGS IMAP 515: (LAC-58) Geologic map of the Copernicus quadrangle of the moon
By H. H. Schmitt, N. J. Trask, and E. M. Shoemaker
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i515
USGS IMAP 515: (LAC-58) Geologic map of the Copernicus quadrangle of the moon
By H. H. Schmitt, N. J. Trask, and E. M. Shoemaker
Map and associated documents available from the USGS Publications Warehouse: https://doi.org/10.3133/i515
Updated Date: May 19, 2025