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Marc Hunter

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

link
SP Crater Arizona

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...
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Astrogeology Science Center, Planetary Geologic Mapping
link

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...
Learn More
link
USGS

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.

link

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.

Learn More
link
USGS

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...
By
Astrogeology Science Center, Planetary Geologic Mapping
link

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...
Learn More

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 analog
By
Astrogeology Science Center

Astrogeology 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.
By
Astrogeology Science Center

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.
By
Astrogeology Science Center

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 Or
By
Astrogeology Science Center

Appendices 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
By
Astrogeology Science Center

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
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Astrogeology Science Center

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 Group
Authors
James A. Skinner, Alexandra E. Huff, Sarah R. Black, Holly C. Buban, Corey M. Fortezzo, Tenielle A. Gaither, Trent M. Hare, Marc A. Hunter
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Astrogeology Science Center

Planetary 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 lac
Authors
James A. Skinner, Alexandra E. Huff, Corey M. Fortezzo, Tenielle Gaither, Trent M. Hare, Marc A. Hunter, Holly Buban
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Astrogeology Science Center

Large 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 where
Authors
Jason Laura, James A. Skinner, Marc A. Hunter
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Astrogeology Science Center

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.
By
Astrogeology Science Center

Science and Products

  • Science
    link
    SP Crater Arizona

    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...
    By
    Core Science Systems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Astrogeology Science Center, Planetary Geologic Mapping
    link

    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...
    Learn More
    link
    USGS

    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.

    link

    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.

    Learn More
    link
    USGS

    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...
    By
    Astrogeology Science Center, Planetary Geologic Mapping
    link

    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...
    Learn More
  • 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 analog
    By
    Astrogeology Science Center

    Astrogeology 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.
    By
    Astrogeology Science Center

    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.
    By
    Astrogeology Science Center

    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 Or
    By
    Astrogeology Science Center

    Appendices 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
    By
    Astrogeology Science Center
  • 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
    By
    Natural Hazards Mission Area, Astrogeology Science Center
  • 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 Group
    Authors
    James A. Skinner, Alexandra E. Huff, Sarah R. Black, Holly C. Buban, Corey M. Fortezzo, Tenielle A. Gaither, Trent M. Hare, Marc A. Hunter
    By
    Natural Hazards Mission Area, Astrogeology Science Center

    Planetary 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 lac
    Authors
    James A. Skinner, Alexandra E. Huff, Corey M. Fortezzo, Tenielle Gaither, Trent M. Hare, Marc A. Hunter, Holly Buban
    By
    Natural Hazards Mission Area, Astrogeology Science Center

    Large 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 where
    Authors
    Jason Laura, James A. Skinner, Marc A. Hunter
    By
    Natural Hazards Mission Area, Astrogeology Science Center
  • 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.
    By
    Astrogeology Science Center