The Planetary Geology Group (PG Group) and the Space Photography Laboratory (SPL) are under the direction of Dr. Ronald Greeley. Located on the main campus of Arizona State University in the metropolitan Phoenix area, the ASU PG Group is in the heart of Arizona with easy access to the state's three major geologic provinces. Arizona and ASU have played a major part in NASA's planetary exploration, and the PG Group has participated in many of NASA's planetary missions. The PG Group frequently publishes on various research projects, and also works in collaboration with many other institutions. Current projects involving planetary image analysis, simulations of aeolian processes, planetary mapping, support of field investigations, and planning for space-flight operations include:

• analysis of Mars, the Moon, Venus, and Io data for evidence of erosion by flowing lava
• study of Mars data in the analysis of wind-related features
• interpretation of data of the Galilean satellites to study volcanic and tectonic processes
• studies of potential landing sites on Mars for astrobiology
• analysis of Europa to determine sites of ice deformation
• field investigation of radar-SAR penetration of sands in the Mojave Desert
• study of aeolian features in the Mojave Desert as analogs to Mars
• analysis of volcanic features in Iceland
• support for planetary flight projects, including the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) and Mars Express (MEX) missions.

The PG Group and SPL support numerous activities in education and public outreach, including "open houses", production of slide sets, development of educational materials, web-based exercises, teacher-student activities, and support for university courses in planetary geology.

The SPL is a NASA supported Regional Planetary Image facility. SPL collections include terrestrial and planetary images in prints, negatives, and/or digital formats. Nearly one million images and maps from nearly all lunar and planetary missions, plus collections of ground and aerial photographs of volcanic and aeolian terrains on Earth are housed in SPL.

Additional facilities supporting the PG Group include the Image Processing Facility (IMF), the Planetary Geology Laboratory (wind tunnel and vortex generator - ASU main campus), and the ASU Planetary Aeolian Laboratory at the NASA-Ames Research Center in CA.

For additional information regarding the PG Group, our associates, and/or facilities please follow the links listed below.

Contact
Facilities
History
Space Photography Laboratory

Director: Prof. Ronald Greeley

Daniel Ball: SPL Data Manager / Photographer Sr
Stephanie Holaday: Administrative Asst
Sylvia Muse: Accountant Assoc