Marc is a Supervisory Cartographer with the USGS Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona, specializing in planetary GIS and data management.
I came to Astrogeology as part of the Planetary Geologic Mapping group to help with GIS work (digitizing paper-only maps, new starts for NASA funded mappers, developing ArcGIS tools, planetary nomenclature, and help desk). My work has expanded from there to include data management, geospatial and metadata standards, archiving, and supervision. I enjoy applying my previous experiences in education and military leadership to help others further their career goals. Currently, I oversee the AstroLink archive and Terrestrial Analogs Data Portal projects, as well as co-lead the Data Integration section.
Professional Experience
2016 - present: US Geological Survey
2013 - 2016: Coconino County
2011 - 2012: Oldcastle Building Envelope
2007 - 2011: US Marine Corps
Education and Certifications
MS Applied Geospatial Sciences, Northern Arizona University (2014)
BAE Secondary Education, Arizona State University (2007)
Science and Products
Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET)
Astrolink Online Exhibits
The NASA/USGS Astrolink is dedicated to providing online exhibits of archived materials. Astrolink houses a large collection of historical artifacts in relation to space exploration, map-making, and planetary geology.
Astrolink
PAAD: The Planetary Aeolian Analog Database
Astrogeology Science Center Monthly Reports 1961 - 1975
Known Terrestrial Analog Sites for Planetary Science
Mars Dune Digital Database - Merged
Appendices for Planetary Geologic Mapping: Program Status and Future Needs
Image mosaic and topographic maps of Mercury
Planetary geologic mapping protocol—2022
Planetary geologic mapping—Program status and future needs
Large crater clustering tool
Planetary Geologic Mapping Python Toolbox for ArcGIS
Science and Products
- Science
Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET)
The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Science Center (ASC) recently established the Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET) program. This service-oriented program is built around the recognition that the Earth is a fundamental training ground for human and robotic planetary exploration, and that ASC is in a unique position in northern Arizona with...Astrolink Online Exhibits
The NASA/USGS Astrolink is dedicated to providing online exhibits of archived materials. Astrolink houses a large collection of historical artifacts in relation to space exploration, map-making, and planetary geology.
Astrolink
The NASA/USGS Astrolink, located in the Shoemaker Building (Building 6) on the USGS Campus in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a facility of the USGS Astrogeology Science Center. Astrolink houses 3,000 square feet of climate-controlled space with more than 100,000 lunar and planetary maps, a reference library, an ever-growing photo and document archive that chronicles the history and on-going activities of... - Data
PAAD: The Planetary Aeolian Analog Database
The Terrestrial Analogs Data Portal (TADP; https://tadp.astrogeology.usgs.gov/) has been established as a repository and data discovery portal which leverages USGS ScienceBase, a trusted long-term digital repository that provides access to all USGS data services. Creation of the TADP service is in response to a number of NASA-generated reports identifying the need for a permanent planetary analogAstrogeology Science Center Monthly Reports 1961 - 1975
Monthly report to show updates on personnel and conferences and scientific meetings. Includes unpublished works and works in progress.Known Terrestrial Analog Sites for Planetary Science
A point layer of sites known to be useful analogs for planetary science, such as impact craters, dunes, volcanoes, and other processes observed on bodies across the solar system.Mars Dune Digital Database - Merged
The Mars Global Digital Dune Database provides a comprehensive and quantitative view of the geographic distribution of dune fields from 65° N to 65° S latitude. The database encompasses ~ 550 dune fields, covering ~ 70,000 km2, with an estimated total volume between 3,600 km3 and 13,400 km3. Over 2300 selected Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) infrared (IR), THEMIS visible (VIS) and Mars OrAppendices for Planetary Geologic Mapping: Program Status and Future Needs
Appendices include the original survey, response data, and collated results related to the Open File Report. Geoscience maps, regardless of target body, are spatial and temporal representations of materials and processes recorded on planetary surfaces (Varnes, 1973; Spencer, 2000). The information and context provided by these maps promote basic and applied research within and across various geosc - Maps
Image mosaic and topographic maps of Mercury
Map DescriptionsSheet 1: This image mosaic is based on observations acquired by the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS; Hawkins and others, 2009), an instrument on the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, Geochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft (Solomon and others, 2007). The Mercator projection is used between latitudes ±57°, with a central meri - Publications
Planetary geologic mapping protocol—2022
The Planetary Geologic Mapping Protocol covers the idealized process of compiling a NASA-funded map product of a non-terrestrial solid surface planetary body for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) publication and summarizes technical specifications of the Mapping Process for authors and reviewers. Directed by community and programmatic recommendations, the USGS Planetary Geologic Map Coordination GroupAuthorsJames A. Skinner, Alexandra E. Huff, Sarah R. Black, Holly C. Buban, Corey M. Fortezzo, Tenielle A. Gaither, Trent M. Hare, Marc A. HunterPlanetary geologic mapping—Program status and future needs
The United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Planetary Geologic Map Coordination Group (Flagstaff, Ariz.) surveyed planetary geoscience map makers and users to determine the importance, relevance, and usability of such products to their planetary science research and to current and future needs of the planetary science community. This survey was prepared because the planetary science community lacAuthorsJames A. Skinner, Alexandra E. Huff, Corey M. Fortezzo, Tenielle Gaither, Trent M. Hare, Marc A. Hunter, Holly BubanLarge crater clustering tool
In this paper we present the Large Crater Clustering (LCC) tool set, an ArcGIS plugin that supports the quantitative approximation of a primary impact location from user-identified locations of possible secondary impact craters or the long-axes of clustered secondary craters. The identification of primary impact craters directly supports planetary geologic mapping and topical science studies whereAuthorsJason Laura, James A. Skinner, Marc A. Hunter - Software
Planetary Geologic Mapping Python Toolbox for ArcGIS
A collection of ArcGIS python toolboxes and plugins used by the Planetary Geologic Mapping program. They are designed to work with ArcPro 2.0 and ArcMap 10.0 or higher.