The Apollo 11 Traverses (left) did not travel more than ~1/10th of a mile from the LEM. The Apollo 17 Traverses (base image), on the other hand, traveled 22.2 miles in Grover. This map illustrates the difference in scale between the two missions. Photo Credit: NASA/GFSC/ASU, USGS Astrogeology
Multimedia
Welcome to the Astrogeology Multimedia Gallery. Browse here for some of our available imagery, educational videos, and audios. We may get permission to use some non-USGS images and these should be marked and are subject to copyright laws. USGS Astrogeology images can be freely downloaded.
Images
Comparison of Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 traverses
The Apollo 11 Traverses (left) did not travel more than ~1/10th of a mile from the LEM. The Apollo 17 Traverses (base image), on the other hand, traveled 22.2 miles in Grover. This map illustrates the difference in scale between the two missions. Photo Credit: NASA/GFSC/ASU, USGS Astrogeology
Example of nested mapping scales at the Apollo 17 landing site
The nested quality of USGS IMAP 800 is exemplified in this image. The inset of the 1:50K (smaller area, larger scale) landing site map is outlined on the 1:250K (larger area, smaller scale) map of the Taurus Littrow area. Photo Credit: USGS Astrogeology
The nested quality of USGS IMAP 800 is exemplified in this image. The inset of the 1:50K (smaller area, larger scale) landing site map is outlined on the 1:250K (larger area, smaller scale) map of the Taurus Littrow area. Photo Credit: USGS Astrogeology
Hunga Tonga Volcano Ash Plume
GOES-West image of the explosive eruption of the Hunga Tonga volcano in 2022. The explosion atmospheric pressure waves that traveled around the world. Read more here.
GOES-West image of the explosive eruption of the Hunga Tonga volcano in 2022. The explosion atmospheric pressure waves that traveled around the world. Read more here.
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera Mosaic of Gruithuisen Domes
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) mosaic of the Gruithuisen (pronounced “groot-high-sen”) domes on the Moon. These unusual high-silica volcanic features are the target of the NASA Lunar Vulkan Imaging Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE) mission. USGS scientist Kristen Bennett is a member of the Lunar-VISE science team.
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) mosaic of the Gruithuisen (pronounced “groot-high-sen”) domes on the Moon. These unusual high-silica volcanic features are the target of the NASA Lunar Vulkan Imaging Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE) mission. USGS scientist Kristen Bennett is a member of the Lunar-VISE science team.
Asteroid Impact Modeling Working Group Hikes into Meteor Crater
This photograph shows members of the Asteroid Impact Modeling Working Group workshop participants descending into Meteor Crater in northern Arizona. Meteor Crater is the best-preserved asteroid impact crater on Earth. It has been used to study the effects of impact, and as a site to train astronauts.
This photograph shows members of the Asteroid Impact Modeling Working Group workshop participants descending into Meteor Crater in northern Arizona. Meteor Crater is the best-preserved asteroid impact crater on Earth. It has been used to study the effects of impact, and as a site to train astronauts.
Python Hyperspectral Analysis Tool (PyHAT) Logo
This a version of the logo for the Python Hyperspectral Analysis Tool (PyHAT). It is intended for use in info boxes on the USGS website. The spectrum in the graphic is a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy spectrum, plotted on a logarithmic y axis to emphasize weaker emission peaks.
This a version of the logo for the Python Hyperspectral Analysis Tool (PyHAT). It is intended for use in info boxes on the USGS website. The spectrum in the graphic is a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy spectrum, plotted on a logarithmic y axis to emphasize weaker emission peaks.
Videos
Creating and editing Geologic Units using the PGM Toolbox
In this demonstration video, you will learn how to create and update geologic unit polygons using the PGM Toolbox Build Polygons tool. The PGM toolbox is online.
In this demonstration video, you will learn how to create and update geologic unit polygons using the PGM Toolbox Build Polygons tool. The PGM toolbox is online.
Two planets merging by giant impact
Computer simulation of two planets undergoing a giant impact that results in a merger (accretion). The larger (target) body is one tenth the mass of the Earth and the smaller (impactor) body is 70% the mass of the target. The planets are colliding at 1.08 times their mutual escape velocity, which equates to 3.63 km/s.
Computer simulation of two planets undergoing a giant impact that results in a merger (accretion). The larger (target) body is one tenth the mass of the Earth and the smaller (impactor) body is 70% the mass of the target. The planets are colliding at 1.08 times their mutual escape velocity, which equates to 3.63 km/s.
Two planets undergoing a hit-and-run impact
Computer simulation of two planets undergoing a hit-and-run giant impact. This style of collision comprises around half of the giant impacts expected to occur during the latter stages of Solar System formation. The larger (target) body is one tenth the mass of the Earth and the smaller (impactor) body is 70% the mass of the target.
Computer simulation of two planets undergoing a hit-and-run giant impact. This style of collision comprises around half of the giant impacts expected to occur during the latter stages of Solar System formation. The larger (target) body is one tenth the mass of the Earth and the smaller (impactor) body is 70% the mass of the target.
The disruption of two planets in a giant impact
Computer simulation of two planets undergoing a disruptive giant impact. Disruptive collisions are not expected to be common in Solar System formation and due to numerical effects, the amount of disruption shown here is likely overestimated. The larger (target) body is one tenth the mass of the Earth and the smaller (impactor) body is 70% the mass of the target.
Computer simulation of two planets undergoing a disruptive giant impact. Disruptive collisions are not expected to be common in Solar System formation and due to numerical effects, the amount of disruption shown here is likely overestimated. The larger (target) body is one tenth the mass of the Earth and the smaller (impactor) body is 70% the mass of the target.
Flying Over Valles Marineris, Mars with Analysis-Ready Data
Flyover of Valles Marineris, the "Grand Canyon" of Mars, highlighting two analysis-ready datasets provided by USGS. The canyon is more than 4,000 km (2,500 miles) long and up to 7 km (23,000 ft) deep.
Flyover of Valles Marineris, the "Grand Canyon" of Mars, highlighting two analysis-ready datasets provided by USGS. The canyon is more than 4,000 km (2,500 miles) long and up to 7 km (23,000 ft) deep.
Demo: Creating custom projections in ArcGIS Pro
In this demo, you will learn how to create a custom projection in ArcGIS Pro, using data that is not located on Earth. For this example, we will use the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Wide Angle Camera (WAC) mosaic of the Moon, and create custom polar and equatorial projections.
In this demo, you will learn how to create a custom projection in ArcGIS Pro, using data that is not located on Earth. For this example, we will use the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Wide Angle Camera (WAC) mosaic of the Moon, and create custom polar and equatorial projections.
Audio
Terrestrial Analog - Meet Lauren
I'm Lauren Edgar. I'm a research geologist at the USGS astrogeology Science Center here in Flagstaff AZ
I'm Lauren Edgar. I'm a research geologist at the USGS astrogeology Science Center here in Flagstaff AZ
Terrestrial Analog - Meet Kristen
My name is Kristen Bennett. I'm at the Astrogeology Science Center and I've been there since 2018.
My name is Kristen Bennett. I'm at the Astrogeology Science Center and I've been there since 2018.