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At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS2017

The planetary data system

In the early 1980s, the Space Science Board (SSB) of the National Research Council was concerned about the poor and inconsistent treatment of scientific information returned from NASA’s space science missions. The SSB formed a panel [The Committee on Data Management and Computation (CODMAC)] to assess the situation and make recommendations to NASA for improvements. The CODMAC panel issued a report [1,2] that led to a number of actions, one of which was the convening of a Planetary Data Workshop in November 1983 [3]. The key findings of that workshop were that (1) important datasets were being irretrievably lost, and (2) the use of planetary data by the wider community is constrained by inaccessibility and a lack of commonality in format and documentation. The report further stated, “Most participants felt the present system (of data archiving and access) is inadequate and immediate changes are necessary to insure retention of and access to these and future datasets.”

Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin↗
USGS2002

Abstracts of the annual meeting of Planetary Geologic Mappers: June 21-22, 2002, Tempe, Arizona

The annual meeting of planetary geologic mappers allows mappers the opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences, victories, and problems. In addition, presentations are reviewed by the Geologic Mapping Subcommittee (GEMS) to provide input to the Planetary Geology and Geophysics Mapping Program review panel’s consideration of new proposals and progress reports that include mapping tasks. Funded mappers bring both oral presentation materials (slides or viewgraphs) and map products to post for review by GEMS and fellow mappers. Additionally, the annual meetings typically feature optional field trips that offer Earth analogs and parallels to planetary mapping problems or workshops that provide information and status of current missions. The 2002 meeting of planetary geologic mappers was held June 21-22 at the Mars Flight Facility, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. Dr. Phil Christensen graciously offered the use of the newly renovated facility, and Ms. Kelly Bender not only proved to be a courteous hostess, but also arranged a short workshop on June 23 regarding TES and THEMIS data. Approximately 30 people attended each day of the 2-day meeting, although not the same 30—some attended only on Thursday and others only on Friday. On Thursday, eight mappers gave oral presentations of Mars mapping, and an additional two presentations were presented as posters only. Eight oral presentations on Venus mapping were given on Friday, and an additional four presentations were posters only. Twelve people attended the TES/THEMIS workshop. Presentations of Ganymede mapping and Europa mapping (the latter not yet financially sponsored by PG&G mapping program) were also given on Friday. Aside from the regular presentations of maps-in-progress, there were some additional talks. Lisa Gaddis (USGS) presented a proposal seeking support for a new lunar mapping program in light of all the new data available; she made a good case that the GEMS panel discussed. Jim Skinner (USGS) gave a short presentation on free (or nearly so) software available for 3D viewing of planetary surfaces. Healthy discussions focused on the review time for some maps and the use of different styles of correlation charts observed on the presented maps. Next year’s meeting will be held June 19-20 at Brown University, Providence, RI.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2019

Report from the Ice and Climate Evolution Science Analysis group (ICE-SAG)

This document is the final report of the Ice and Climate Evolution Science Analysis Group (ICESAG) that was formed by the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) as part of its preparations for the upcoming NASA Planetary Science Decadal Survey for 2023 through 2032 (see §1). Through telecons, one face-to-face meeting, and discussions with experts in relevant topics, ICE-SAG has identified high-priority science questions and key measurements that are needed to address them as well as the 2018 MEPAG Goals and the 2013-2022 NASA Planetary Science Decadal Survey goals [V&V, 2011] pertaining to ice1 and climate. Obtaining these measurements would yield dramatic improvements in our understanding of the climate history of Mars, which is critical to investigations of Martian geologic history and habitability and will also inform the potential of buried water ices as in situ resources for future human missions. In many ways, the Martian climate system serves as a laboratory for a broader understanding of planetary climate systems including the Earth’s, which is substantially more complex due to a denser atmosphere, a more active planetary interior, and interactions with oceans and abundant life, while operating under much more subtle orbital forcing. Thus, advancements in Martian climate science will have far-reaching impacts that extend to studies of the Earth and other planetary bodies.

Report↗
USGS2006

Abstracts of the Annual Meeting of Planetary Geologic Mappers, Nampa, Idaho 2006

Approximately 18 people attended this year's mappers meeting, and many more submitted abstracts and maps in absentia. The meeting was held on the campus of Northwest Nazarene University (NNU), and was graciously hosted by NNU's School of Health and Science. Planetary mapper Dr. Jim Zimbelman is an alumnus of NNU, and he was pivotal in organizing the meeting at this location. Oral and poster presentations were given on Friday, June 30. Drs. Bill Bonnichsen and Marty Godchaux led field excursions on July 1 and 2. USGS Astrogeology Team Chief Scientist Lisa Gaddis led the meeting with a brief discussion of the status of the planetary mapping program at USGS, and a more detailed description of the Lunar Mapping Program. She indicated that there is now a functioning website (http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/Projects/PlanetaryMapping/Lunar/) which shows which lunar quadrangles are available to be mapped. Like other USGS-published maps, proposals to complete a lunar geologic map must be submitted to the regular Planetary Geology & Geophysics (PGG) program for peer review. Jim Skinner (USGS) later presented the progress of the 1:2.5M-scale map of the lunar Copernicus quadrangle, and demonstrated the wide range of data that are available to support these maps. Gaddis and Skinner encouraged the community to submit proposals for generating lunar geologic maps, and reminded us that, as for all planetary maps, the project must be science-driven. Venus mapper Jim Zimbelman of the Smithsonian Institution (SI) presented the progress for his V-15 and V-16 quadrangles; Vicki Hansen (University of Minnesota Duluth) showed her preliminary work on V-45. Zimbelman addressed an issue that has been plaguing the community: 'delinquent Venus mappers'. In short, there were a number of Venus maps funded in the early 1990s under the Venus Data Analysis Program (VDAP). Unfortunately, funding for this program was cut before many Venus maps could be completed, resulting in about 10 Venus maps that were initially assigned but have shown little or no progress in many years. Zimbelman announced that he was not going to be able to complete quadrangle V-27 that he was assigned under VDAP, and was therefore returning that quadrangle to the community; he invited people to propose to PGG to map this quadrangle. Dave Williams of Arizona State University (ASU) reported on the progress of his global Io map. His mapping team recently received the completed, controlled global mosaic (using Voyager and Galileo images) from the USGS; this will be the basemap for their geologic mapping. Furthermore, the three team members (Laszlo Keszthelyi, David Crown and Dave Williams) have calibrated their individual mapping techniques by each mapping the same region for comparison. Thomas Doggett (ASU) showed progress on the global Europa map that was awarded to Ron Greeley. There was some consternation expressed on the methodology for determining relative ages of the lineaments; it was suggested that Vicki Hansen contact Patricio Figueredo (Exxon) directly, because Figueredo is the one who has been developing the lineament mapping techniques. Mars remains the most popular planet to map. Kevin Williams (SI) and Corey Fortezzo (SI) presented progress on their 1:500K maps in the Margaritifer Terra region of Mars. Jim Zimbelman described his 1:1M Medusae Fossae map, which is nearing completion. Peter Mouginis-Mark (University of Hawai'i) reported progress on his 1:200K maps of Tooting crater and of the Olympus Mons summit caldera. Jim Skinner discussed the progress of his and Ken Herkenhoff?s (USGS) map (1:500K) on the Olympia Cavi region of Mars? north pole, and Eric Kolb (USGS) presented work that he and Ken Tanaka (USGS) are completing on the Martian south pole. David Crown of the Planetary Science Institute (PSI) reported on numerous 1:500K and 1:1M maps in the Hellas and Hesperia regions of Mars. Frank Chuang (PSI) discussed progress on mapping the Deuteronilus Mensae reg

Open-File Report↗
USGS1963

Astrogeologic studies, annual progress report, August 25, 1961 - August 24, 1962

This report, which covers the period August 25, 1961 to August 24, 1962, is the third of a series describing the program of research conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey on behalf of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The major long-range objectives of the program are to determine and map the stratigraphy and structure of the Moon's crust, to work out from these the sequence of events that led to the present condition of the Moon's surface, and to determine the processes by which these events took place. This report is presented in four parts with a separate summary. Part A: Lunar and planetary investigations (with map supplement). Geologic mapping of the Moon involves discrimination of the different materials exposed on the lunar surface and their assignment to geologic units, the determination of the photometric characteristics of these materials, delineation of the boundaries of the units and determination of their stratigraphic sequence. Part B: Crater investigations. These include field studies of terrestrial craters, hypervelocity impact experiments with rocks and other materials, studies of the behavior of rocks under high shock loads, and experimental and field studies of shock metamorphism in rocks. Part C: Cosmochemistry and petrography. Studies are being made of the chemical, petrographic, and physical properties of materials of extraterrestrial origin and of certain materials associated with terrestrial impact structures. The studies reported in Part C are concerned with tektites, terrestrial impactites, metallic spherules formed by the Meteor Crater impact event, and particles of possible cosmic origin. Part D: Studies for space flight program. These studies are undertaken to aid in the design of space flight experiments and the planning of space missions. The report that makes up Part D is an evaluation of the lunar flux of secondary particles derived from primary impact events on the lunar surface.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2020

Coordination of planetary coordinate system recommendations by the IAU Working Group on Cartographic Coordinates and Rotational Elements–2020 status and future

Our goal is to request input from the lunar and planetary community regarding issues of planetary coordinate systems and cartography standards. We begin with an overview of the work of the International Astronomical Union Working Group on Cartographic Coordinates and Rotational Elements. We briefly describe the operations and membership of the Working Group, some of the various uses of the recommendations it makes, our most recent (2018) published report and the recommendations therein, and the outlook for our next such report. We then consider several issues and questions regarding the future of the Working Group and regarding planetary cartography and planetary data spatial infrastructure in general. This includes possible near-term projects, how we and others might collect and consider community input and includes some ideas regarding possible outcomes or future work that will need to be addressed by the Working Group or other organizations.

Conference Paper↗
USGS2011

Earthquake mechanism and displacement fields close to fault zones: Report on the Sixth GEOP Research Conference

The Sixth Geodesy/Solid Earth and Ocean Physics (GEOP) Research Conwas held on February 4–5, 1974, at the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, San Diego, in La Jolla, California. It was attended by about 100 persons. James N. Brune, program chairman, opened the conference and delivered the introductory address, a somewhat extended version of which is printed elsewhere in this issue. Brune's paper and the following summaries of the sessions constitute a report of the conference.

Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union↗
USGS2000

Detection of Sub-Micron Radiation from the Surface of Venus by Cassini/VIMS

We report the first detection and profile characterization of thermal emission from the surface of Venus at 0.85 and 0.90 ??m, observed in the first planetary spectrum acquired by the Visual-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer onboard the Cassini spacecraft en route to the Saturn system. The strength and shape of these two newly observed nightside emissions agree with theoretical predictions based on the strength of the strong emission observed at 1.01 ??m. These emissions, together with previously-reported surface emission features at 1.01, 1.10, and 1.18 ??m, potentially provide a new technique for remotely mapping the mineralogical composition of the venusian surface. ?? 2000 Academic Press.

Icarus↗
USGS1966

Disequilibrium of the 238U series in basalt

Radioisotope analyses of basalt samples from Hawaii, Japan, and Iwo Jima show that: (1) 234 U and 238 U are virtually in radioactive equilibrium, (2) 230 Th exceeds equilibrium values in all these samples, (3) 210 Pb concentrations range from 10–200% of the equilibrium values and average 30% deficient, and (4) 226 Ra is probably not in equilibrium with 234 U. The source regions of the basalts or magma forming processes are open systems, chemically. The enrichment of some of the uranium-daughter nuclides is insufficient to account for the excess 206 Pb in volcanic rocks. The isotopic composition of lead and specific activity of 210 Pb in sublimates from Showa-shinzan, Japan are also reported.

Hawaii↗
USGS2007

Investigation of magnesium isotope fractionation during basalt differentiation: Implications for a chondritic composition of the terrestrial mantle

To investigate whether magnesium isotopes are fractionated during basalt differentiation, we have performed high-precision Mg isotopic analyses by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) on a set of well-characterized samples from Kilauea Iki lava lake, Hawaii, USA. Samples from the Kilauea Iki lava lake, produced by closed-system crystal-melt fractionation, range from olivine-rich cumulates to highly differentiated basalts with MgO content ranging from 2.37 to 26.87 wt.%. Our results demonstrate that although these basalts have diverse chemical compositions, mineralogies, crystallization temperatures and degrees of differentiation, their Mg isotopic compositions display no measurable variation within the limits of our external precision (average δ 26 Mg = − 0.36 ± 0.10 and δ 25 Mg = − 0.20 ± 0.07; uncertainties are 2SD). This indicates that Mg isotopic fractionation during crystal-melt fractionation at temperatures of ≥ 1055 °C is undetectable at the level of precision of the current investigation. Calculations based on our data suggest that at near-magmatic temperatures the maximum fractionation in the 26 Mg/ 24 Mg ratio between olivine and melt is 0.07‰. Two additional oceanic basalts, two continental basalts (BCR-1 and BCR-2), and two primitive carbonaceous chondrites (Allende and Murchison) analyzed in this study have Mg isotopic compositions similar to the Kilauea Iki lava lake samples. In contrast to a recent report [U. Wiechert, A.N. Halliday, Non-chondritic magnesium and the origins of the inner terrestrial planets, Earth and Planetary Science Letters 256 (2007) 360–371], the results presented here suggest that the Bulk Silicate Earth has a chondritic Mg isotopic composition.

Hawaii↗
USGS1995

Gazetteer of planetary nomenclature 1994

Planetary nomenclature, like terrestrial nomenclature, is used to uniquely identify a feature on the surface of a planet or satellite so that the feature can be easily located, described, and discussed. This volume contains detailed information about all names of topographic and albedo features on planets and satellites (and some planetary ring and ring-gap systems) that the International Astronomical Union has named and approved from its founding in 1919 through its triennial meeting in 1994. This edition of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature supersedes an earlier informal volume distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1986 as Open-File Report 84-692 (Masursky and others, 1986). Named features are depicted on maps of the Moon published first by the U.S. Defense Mapping Agency or the Aeronautical Chart and Information Center and more recently by the U.S. Geological Survey; on maps of Mercury, Venus, Mars, and the satellites of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus published by the U.S. Geological Survey; and on maps of the Moon, Venus, and Mars produced by the U.S.S.R. Although we have attempted to check the accuracy of all data in this volume, we realize that some errors will remain in a work of this size. Readers noting errors or omissions are urged to communicate them to the U.S. Geological Survey, Branch of Astrogeology, Rm. 409, 2255 N. Gemini Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

Bulletin↗
USGS1973

Interagency Report: Astrogeology 58, television cartography

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the processing of digital television pictures into base maps. In this context, a base map is defined as a pictorial representation of planetary surface morphology accurately reproduced on standard map projections. Topographic contour lines, albedo or geologic overprints may be super imposed on these base maps. The compilation of geodetic map controls, the techniques of mosaic compilation, computer processing and airbrush enhancement, and the compilation of con tour lines are discussed elsewhere by the originators of these techniques. A bibliography of applicable literature is included for readers interested in more detailed discussions.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2024

Assessing community needs for terrestrial analog studies

Executive Summary The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed and released a survey to assess the terrestrial analog needs of the planetary science community. The goal was to assess the current state of terrestrial analog studies and determine community needs related to the use of field sites for training and research, data dissemination and archiving, and sample collections. The survey was designed to gather feedback from community members who have a self-described interest in the use of terrestrial analogs. The web-based questionnaire contained a total of 33 questions and was designed to take <10 minutes to complete. The questionnaire was divided into four sections: (1) “Respondent Details,” (2) “Field Analog Use,” (3) “Data Portal Use,” and (4) “Geologic Materials Collection Use.” Comment boxes were provided for 12 of the 33 questions, which allowed respondents to provide more detailed comments to individual questions. The questionnaire received a total of 248 responses. We identified 21 notable findings which are matched with one or more recommendations to be addressed by the planetary science community. In general, the findings highlight the importance of terrestrial analog studies to the planetary science community. The findings address how and why the community uses terrestrial analogs, areas in which further support can lead to a greater return on investment, and how the community can better manage data and samples from these studies. The results from this survey identify a need for additional training opportunities and analog-focused workshops. There is a gap in formal education related to field techniques for a significant part of researchers who conduct fieldwork. There is also a subset of the community who are interested in conducting field-based studies but are, however, unaware of relevant sites and methods. Workshops would provide an opportunity for scientists at all career stages to share their results and discuss common challenges such as logistics, field safety, funding, and data and sample archiving. Trainings, workshops, and better communication may also lead to increased field-analog work at locations in closer proximity to home institutions, reducing costs associated with large field expeditions and ultimately leading to more available funding for more localized field studies. The survey also shows that the ability to archive a diverse array of field data is a major challenge for terrestrial studies and finds that existing practices are not compliant with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) data management policies. The survey points to a strong need for a central data repository, allowing for easier access to existing analog data and the archiving of new field data. The community would benefit from additional physical sample archiving, consolidated into several key institutions to promote easier access, such as NASA and USGS centers. Though scientists would still need to acquire their own samples in the field for certain studies, many studies would benefit from an archive of existing samples and associated data for widely used analog sites, reducing redundant sampling practices. This report finds that a coordinated effort to improve and standardize training, data archiving, sample curation, and communication regarding terrestrial analog studies will best serve the planetary science community in our exploration goals.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2021

Simulated atmospheric response to four projected land-use land-cover change scenarios for 2050 in the north-central United States

Land-use land-cover change (LULCC) has become an important topic of research for the central United States because of the extensive conversion of the natural prairie into agricultural land, especially in the northern Great Plains. As a result, shifts in the natural climate (minimum/maximum temperature, precipitation, etc.) across the north-central United States have been observed, as noted within the Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4) report. Thus, it is necessary to understand how further LULCC will affect the near-surface atmosphere, the lower troposphere, and the planetary boundary layer (PBL) atmosphere over this region. The goal of this work was to investigate the utility of a new future land-use land-cover (LULC) dataset within the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) modeling system. The present study utilizes a modeled future land-use dataset developed by the Forecasting Scenarios of Land-Use Change (FORE-SCE) model to investigate the influence of future (2050) land use on a simulated PBL development within the WRF Model. Three primary areas of LULCC were identified within the FORE-SCE future LULC dataset across Nebraska and South Dakota. Variations in LULC between the 2005 LULC control simulation and four FORE-SCE simulations affected near-surface temperature (0.5°–1°C) and specific humidity (0.3–0.5 g kg −1 ). The differences noted in the temperature and moisture fields affected the development of the simulated PBL, leading to variations in PBL height and convective available potential energy. Overall, utilizing the FORE-SCE dataset within WRF produced notable differences relative to the control simulation over areas of LULCC represented in the FORE-SCE dataset.

Nebraska, South Dakota↗