Center for Earth and Planetary Studies
Encyclopedia
The Center for Earth and Planetary Studies is a research institute affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution
. Based in Washington, DC, the Center, which was founded in 1972, conducts scientific research related to planetary science
, geophysics
and the biophysical environment
. As a Regional Planetary Image Facility
, the Center hosts for NASA
data including image
s and map
s of planet
s and their satellites. It also houses images taken by the Space Shuttle
. Both of these date collections are accessible to researchers. The Center, which is located at the National Air and Space Museum
, curates two of its galleries, Exploring the Planet and Looking at Earth, as well as contributing elsewhere in the museum.
, developing geologic map
s of Venus
, researching geomorphology
on Earth, and exploring terrain formation through Mars
.
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
. Based in Washington, DC, the Center, which was founded in 1972, conducts scientific research related to planetary science
Planetary science
Planetary science is the scientific study of planets , moons, and planetary systems, in particular those of the Solar System and the processes that form them. It studies objects ranging in size from micrometeoroids to gas giants, aiming to determine their composition, dynamics, formation,...
, geophysics
Geophysics
Geophysics is the physics of the Earth and its environment in space; also the study of the Earth using quantitative physical methods. The term geophysics sometimes refers only to the geological applications: Earth's shape; its gravitational and magnetic fields; its internal structure and...
and the biophysical environment
Environment (biophysical)
The biophysical environment is the combined modeling of the physical environment and the biological life forms within the environment, and includes all variables, parameters as well as conditions and modes inside the Earth's biosphere. The biophysical environment can be divided into two categories:...
. As a Regional Planetary Image Facility
Regional Planetary Image Facility
NASA Regional Planetary Image Facilities are planetary image and data libraries located throughout the United States and overseas and are funded by both NASA and the host institutions. A network of these facilities was established in 1977 to “maintain photographic and digital data as well as...
, the Center hosts for NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
data including image
Image
An image is an artifact, for example a two-dimensional picture, that has a similar appearance to some subject—usually a physical object or a person.-Characteristics:...
s and map
Map
A map is a visual representation of an area—a symbolic depiction highlighting relationships between elements of that space such as objects, regions, and themes....
s of planet
Planet
A planet is a celestial body orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its neighbouring region of planetesimals.The term planet is ancient, with ties to history, science,...
s and their satellites. It also houses images taken by the Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
. Both of these date collections are accessible to researchers. The Center, which is located at the National Air and Space Museum
National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. It was established in 1976. Located in Washington, D.C., United States, it is a center for research into the history and science of aviation and...
, curates two of its galleries, Exploring the Planet and Looking at Earth, as well as contributing elsewhere in the museum.
Research
Among other research, the Center is studying the tectonic history of the planet MercuryMercury (planet)
Mercury is the innermost and smallest planet in the Solar System, orbiting the Sun once every 87.969 Earth days. The orbit of Mercury has the highest eccentricity of all the Solar System planets, and it has the smallest axial tilt. It completes three rotations about its axis for every two orbits...
, developing geologic map
Geologic map
A geologic map or geological map is a special-purpose map made to show geological features. Rock units or geologic strata are shown by color or symbols to indicate where they are exposed at the surface...
s of Venus
Venus
Venus is the second planet from the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. The planet is named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. After the Moon, it is the brightest natural object in the night sky, reaching an apparent magnitude of −4.6, bright enough to cast shadows...
, researching geomorphology
Geomorphology
Geomorphology is the scientific study of landforms and the processes that shape them...
on Earth, and exploring terrain formation through Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
.