A plethora of probes have spent several decades exploring nearly every corner of our solar system. The result: stunning imagery, startling scientific discoveries—and comprehensive maps of worlds many millions and even billions of miles away from us. But where on earth can the average person go to find all of these maps and use them to explore these other worlds?
To answer this question, Esri is creating a Solar System Atlas. Built using story maps technology, it gathers together more than 50 maps into a single app. Starting with our sun, Esri’s Solar System Atlas takes you on an interactive journey to the outward reaches of our solar system to examine many of the most detailed maps available for planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
Esri’s Solar System Atlas.
Esri’s Solar System Atlas promises to be a powerful educational tool for teachers and students, as well as of interest to the general public interested in space, science, and discovery. It’s also a great way to inform the public of the return on investment of space exploration programs.
What’s in the Solar System Atlas?
The individual maps presented in Esri’s Solar System Atlas are not static images but interactive, allowing viewers to zoom in and out as well as pan around the surface to explore for themselves.
Below is a working list of some of the maps we are looking to include in the Solar System Atlas (subject to change). Note that the individual maps are already available on ArcGIS Online, which means they are usable for public use for a variety of application beyond Esri’s Solar System Atlas.
GIS and Science 