Teams

The USGS Astrogeology Research Program has over 50 employees, plus interns, fellows, and contractors, organized into one Science and five Technical teams

• Science
• Data Dissemination & Publications Experts
• Computer Scientists and Programmers
• Computer & Network Support
• Cartographers and Image Processing Staff
• Planetary Geomatics

Visit the About:People page to meet some of our staff.

Science

Members of the Astrogeology Science Group are primarily engaged in scientific and cartographic research for NASA and other Federal agencies. Our primary interest is the geological and geophysical processes on the rocky planets and satellites, but we also study the Earth as a planet, with its unique geological and geophysical processes. Our diverse research topics include:

• remote sensing and monitoring studies of planetary surfaces,
• field studies of organic materials of interest in the field of astrobiology,
• laboratory analyses of ices and other materials,
• construction and analyses of digital image mosaics of the terrestrial planets and satellites, and
• 3-D visualization and modeling of irregular planetary bodies.

The group participates in NASA spaceflight missions, various science investigations on the Earth and other planets and moons, cartographic research and data processing, and software development in support of the national and international planetary science community.

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Data Dissemination & Publications Experts

The Astrogeology Data Dissemination and Publications Experts technology group researches and develops current and new methodologies and techniques for publication, validation, and dissemination of digital data products in support of the scientific research , data analysis, and production performed within the Astrogeology Research Program.

Activities within the group involve:

• digital data storage media technologies,
• NASA's Planetary Data System (PDS) Imaging Node interests,
• archive and data distribution standards,
• digital data publication,
• Regional Planetary Information Facility (RPIF) services,
• digital and hardcopy cartography, and
• data and publication quality assurance.

Employees within these disciplines primarily include cartographers, cartographic technicians, geographers, mathematicians, and computer clerks, assistants, scientists and specialists.

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Computer Scientists and Programmers

The Astrogeology Computer Scientisits and Programming Group designs, develops, and maintains software used by other members of the Program. The primary focus of this group is the Integrated Software for Imagers and Spectrometers (ISIS) software package, which provides tools for processing, analyzing, and displaying remotely sensed image data. Programmers' tasks include integrating instruments from current and future NASA spaceflight missions into the ISIS system with special emphasis on radiometric calibration and geometric camera modeling.

The group is currently involved in developing the next evolution of ISIS to keep up with advances in computing technology in the last several years.

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Computer & Network Support

The Astrogeology Computer & Network Support Group maintains the computers and computer related hardware used by the Program staff, and works with other systems and network administration staff on campus to maintain campus-wide network service. Tasks include:

• implementing firewalls and other network security measures,
• setting up and maintaining Internet servers, such as World Wide Web and FTP servers,
• World Wide Web development,
• installing and upgrading operating systems and software,
• procuring and maintaining computers and computer hardware,
• assisting staff members in using computer resources, and
• tracking resources and maintaining documentation.

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Cartographers and Image Processing Staff

The Cartigrapher and Image Processor Groups perform a wide range of tasks in support of funded projects. Our primary task is the manipulation of planetary image data through noise and other artifact removal, selecting a network of control points, updating the camera pointing information, geometrically projecting the images, applying radio and photometric corrections, and then compiling all input images into a tone matched mosaic.

Processing time depends on the complexity, the volume of data, and whether or not streamlined procedures have been established. New procedures and methods are continually being developed and implemented for new project assignments.

Image processors write simple to more elaborate scripts and procedures for streamlining repetitive tasks, quality control, and managing multiple files. Members of the group also provide user training utilizing the Integrated Software for Imagers and Spectrometers (ISIS) software system to process data acquired by the Viking Orbiters, Voyager, Clementine, Galileo SSI, and Mars Global Surveyor missions.

Support tasks include:

• creating global maps for digital access and formal published maps,
• generating base products for globes,
• co-registering multi-spectral data sets,
• writing and modifying PERL scripts that efficiently process large data sets,
• co-registering airbrush shaded relief maps to other digital data products,
• providing ISIS Processing Workshops,
• input and verify data for database entries,
• creating high-resolution base mosaics for Planetary Geologic Mapping Program,
• assisting scientists with software testing, and collecting digital information for parameter settings or statistics gathering,
• scan 35mm film strips and archive to digital media, and
• collection of control point measurements.

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Planetary Geomatic Experts

The Astrogeology Planetary Geomatic Experts Group provides support and produces data in the technical areas of:

• Planetary Geodesy,
• Photogrammetry,
• Cartography,
• Nomenclature, and
• Geographic Information Systems.

Results describe both the global shape and size of planetary bodies as well as local topographic data for smaller areas of interest. Data is portrayed as hard copy maps and disseminated as digital data sets. This includes the size, location, and names of planetary features. The goal is to provide geographically referenced data that can be over laid and analyzed by planetary scientists.

For more information, visit the Planetary Geomatics Group page.

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