Researchers interested in additional information about the Magellan mission, access to imagery or data collected, or detailed catalog information will find the following sources most useful:
The National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is the principal archive and distribution center for all NASA missions. It has all of Magellan's standard mosaic image products that have been released by the Project in both photographic and digital form on CD-ROMs. It also has press-released images, videotapes, software with which to display the CD-ROM digital images, planning maps of Venus, a fact sheet, and documentation.
NSSDC's principal charter is to support data distribution to researchers. Requests from NASA centers, Federal, State, and local governments, and NASA-funded researchers are supplied without charge. Other requests are supplied at a nominal charge. NSSDC will consider waiving these charges for educational requests for a limited quantity of material if the requester explains the need for such treatment.
NSSDC has the equipment necessary to supply special requests, such as large photographic enlargements. It has a limited staff able to assist with questions about the products or the identification of products showing a specific feature. It is not, however, able to support requests for extensive assistance either by researchers, the public, or teachers.
A general catalog showing the classes of materials available through NSSDC is available for on-line computer access. Requests for materials can be made through the online catalog, by electronic mail, or by telephone.
Regional Planetary Image Facilities
NASA's Planetary Geology and Geophysics program supports a group of Regional Planetary Image Facilities (RPIFs) around the United States, as well as overseas.
The RPIF at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory may have the broadest collection of Magellan materials available most quickly. In practice, it is open by appointment on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to both researchers and members of the public. The RPIF houses a complete image library of NASA's lunar and planetary missions, including Magellan. Visitors can browse through Magellan materials, including the CD-ROM digital imagery collection and videotapes.
Researchers funded by NASA's Solar System Exploration Division can obtain Magellan materials through the Planetary Data System (PDS). PDS consists of a central on-line catalog at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a number of "nodes" located at research facilities with particular expertise in specific planetary research areas. The Geosciences Node at Washington University is particularly responsible for cataloging and supporting Magellan data. PDS provides an on-line central catalog showing the general classes of Magellan material available and allowing the user to identify specific digital and photographic products. Requests for materials can be made through this central catalog. The requests are typically furfilled by forwarding the request to NSSDC. Contact PDS to request an account. The Geosciences Node provides a much more detailed catalog of the Magellan materials. This node can be reached through the central PDS catalog or directly. The Geophysics Node also supports visiting researchers and provides image processing capabilities to use the digital imagery. Contact
The Washington University PDS Node provides a direct and knowledgeable source of assistance in using Magellan data through a Magellan Data Products Support Office. The purpose of the Support Office is to provide users with information about and assistance in getting Magellan data. Standard and special data products are supported, including digital products, photographs, slides, videotapes, and NASA Public Information Office (PIO) products. The Support Office serves NASA-sponsored scientists, other researchers and educators, and the general public.
U.S. Geological Survey
The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) has a program to produce maps of the planets based on the best available data from NASA and foreign missions, including Soviet missions. The Venus maps currently available from USGS are based on data from NASA's Pioneer Venus Orbiter and the Soviet Venera 15/16 missions. New maps will be produced and made available based on the Magellan data over the next several years. NASA-funded researchers can obtain maps directly by contacting
All interested persons can obtain a listing of planetary maps from the same address. Those not funded by NASA can order maps by writing
For more information, contact
[143] On-Line Computer Access
In addition to the on-line computer catalogs provided by NSSDC and PDS described above, Magellan information and digital imagery can be obtained through several computer networks. SPACELINK is an electronic information system for educators (a computer bulletin board) particularly oriented toward teachers interested in using NASA materials in their classes. It is operated by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama. SPACELINK can be reached by a telephone modem or through the Internet network. It contains a wide variety of information, as well as software and digital image files in the GIF format, which is suitable for classroom computer display. Contact
NASA's Ames Research Center in California allows public access through the Internet network to a large collection of information on NASA's missions, as well as image display software, digital image files in a variety of formats, and captions for all the released (press) images. Magellan imagery is available in GIF and VICAR formats. In addition, the Magellan CD-ROMs are available in rotation with other NASA image CD-ROMs as a pair of publicly accessible directories. Contact
The PDS Geosciences Node at Washington University (described earlier) permits access through the Internet network to selected Magellan data and documentation. Contact
1 From Okerson, D., 1992, Magellan Resources: Access to
Magellan Project Information and Science Data, JPL D-9934 (internal
document), Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, 28
p.