Day: March 24, 2009

Planetary Geodesic Tools for ArcMap Now In Beta Release

/ Matt Artz

The USGS Astrogeology Research Program–the folks behind PIGWAD (Planetary Interactive GIS-on-the-Web Analyzable Database)–released a beta version of their Planetary Geodesic Tools for ArcMap on 20 March 2009.

The objectives of PIGWAD are:

  • Produce a web-based, user-friendly interface aimed at the planetary research community that will support Geographic Information Systems (GIS) graphical, statistical, and spatial tools for analyses of planetary data, including the distribution of planetary GIS tutorials, tools, programs, and information.
  • Create planetary GIS databases consisting of peer-reviewed digital geologic maps, feature maps, topography, and remote-sensing data under the scientific oversight of the NASA Geologic Mapping Subcommittee (GEMS).
  • Support and encourage the use of GIS in planetary research including geospatial open standards.

GIS at the 40th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference

/ Matt Artz

From the 40th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference going on this week in The Woodlands, Texas…

Integrated Lunar Web-GIS Environment Using Data Obtained by Lunar Exploration

J. Terazono, N. Asada, H. Demura, N. Hirata, K. Saiki, A. Iwasaki, R. Oka, T. Hayashi, T. Suzuki, H. Miyamoto, J. Haruyama, M. Ohtake, T. Matsunaga, S. Sobue, H. Okumura, T. Fujita, and A. Yamamoto

The report of current implementation and development status about integrated GIS infrastructure using lunar exploration data including Kaguya, Japanese lunar explorer.

Geology of Antoniadi Crater, South Pole Aitken Basin, Moon

E. Dominov and S. C.  Mest

Antoniadi crater is unique for three reasons: 1) unique impact crater shape; 2) deep impact depth; and 3) smooth crater floor material. Research was done by utilizing ArcGIS program in mapping the ejecta blanket of Antoniadi and crater counting.