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#           Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET)​                    Active

      By Astrogeology Science Center      February 28, 2022    

                  -              Overview           
                  -              Connect           

The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Science Center (ASC) recently established the Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET) program. This service-oriented program is built around the recognition that the Earth is a fundamental training ground for human and robotic planetary exploration, and that ASC is in a unique position in northern Arizona with access to a range of geologic analogs for planetary science and technology research. The ASC has a long history of responding to community needs and is currently working to provide the community with datasets, sample collections, logistical support, field guides, and other resources that support terrestrial analog fieldwork, testing, and data dissemination. **Our vision is to lead the planetary science community in training, research, data archiving, and sample curation involving terrestrial analog field sites.​**

### Projects

Current projects underway at TARGET.

### Field Guides

Field guides developed by TARGET

### Common Analogs

Common Analogs

ASC is prepared to facilitate external scientists in their development and completion of fieldwork in Northern Arizona, as well as to support the long-term preservation of both digital and physical data.  The TARGET program seeks to leverage the history, location, service-orientated project model, and cross-disciplinary nature of ASC to enhance the scientific and educational return from terrestrial analog studies.  This program aims to provide information and tools to the broader community so the quality of analog studies can be improved by all scientists funded by NASA and other agencies.​

 

#### What is an Analog?

Terrestrial analogs are locations on Earth with one or more geological, biological, or environmental conditions similar to those found on other planets, either past or present. Analog studies often focus on investigating geologic processes on Earth and extrapolating them to other planetary bodies.  In addition to scientific investigations, terrestrial analogs are used for training, technology demonstrations, traverse planning, and field simulations.​

 

### **Upcoming Events:**

Second Workshop on Terrestrial Analogs for Planetary Exploration, August 12-14, 2024 in Flagstaff, AZ.

Second Workshop on Terrestrial Analogs for Planetary Exploration (usra.edu)

 

 

### Study Area

### Contacts

#### Lauren Edgar, Ph.D.

##### Research Geologist

Astrogeology Science Center

ledgar@usgs.gov

#### Kristen Bennett, PhD

##### Research Space Scientist

Astrogeology Science Center

kbennett@usgs.gov

928-556-7260

#### Timothy Neal Titus, Ph.D.

##### Research Space Scientist

Astrogeology Science Center

ttitus@usgs.gov

928-556-7201

#### Kaj Williams, Ph.D.

##### Research Physical Scientist

Astrogeology Science Center

kewilliams@usgs.gov

#### Amber Gullikson

##### Geologist

Astrogeology Science Center

agullikson@usgs.gov

#### Richard Gregory Vaughan, PhD

##### Remote Sensing Lead

Yellowstone Volcano Observatory

##### Research Geologist

Astrogeology Science Center

gvaughan@usgs.gov

928-556-7006

#### Colin Dundas, Ph.D.

##### Research Geologist

Astrogeology Science Center

cdundas@usgs.gov

928-556-7143

#### Laszlo Kestay, Ph.D.

##### Research Geologist

Astrogeology Science Center

laz@usgs.gov

928-556-7002

#### Chris H Okubo, PhD

##### Deputy Center Director and Research Operations Lead

Astrogeology Science Center

cokubo@usgs.gov

928-556-7009

#### Jim Skinner

##### Supervisory Geologist 

Astrogeology Science Center

jskinner@usgs.gov

#### Marc Hunter

##### IT Specialist (Applications Software)

Astrogeology Science Center

mahunter@usgs.gov

928-556-7220

### Explore Search

                            - Analogs
                            - Earth
                            - Geomorphology
                            - Inner Solar System
                            - Mars
                            - Modeling
                            - Moon
                            - Labs and Facilities
                            - Research
                            - Astronaut Training
                            - Craters
                            - Remote Sensing
                            - Geology
                            - Planetary Science
                            - Planetary analogs

View All **

USGS Astrogeology Participants in TARGET.

For more information, please email AstroAnalogs@usgs.gov

#### Lauren Edgar, Ph.D.

##### Research Geologist

Astrogeology Science Center

ledgar@usgs.gov

#### Kristen Bennett, PhD

##### Research Space Scientist

Astrogeology Science Center

kbennett@usgs.gov

928-556-7260

#### Colin Dundas, Ph.D.

##### Research Geologist

Astrogeology Science Center

cdundas@usgs.gov

928-556-7143

#### Marc Hunter

##### IT Specialist (Applications Software)

Astrogeology Science Center

mahunter@usgs.gov

928-556-7220

#### Laszlo Kestay, Ph.D.

##### Research Geologist

Astrogeology Science Center

laz@usgs.gov

928-556-7002

#### Chris H Okubo, PhD

##### Deputy Center Director and Research Operations Lead

Astrogeology Science Center

cokubo@usgs.gov

928-556-7009

#### Jim Skinner

##### Supervisory Geologist 

Astrogeology Science Center

jskinner@usgs.gov

#### Timothy Neal Titus, Ph.D.

##### Research Space Scientist

Astrogeology Science Center

ttitus@usgs.gov

928-556-7201

#### Richard Gregory Vaughan, PhD

##### Remote Sensing Lead

Yellowstone Volcano Observatory

##### Research Geologist

Astrogeology Science Center

gvaughan@usgs.gov

928-556-7006

#### Kaj Williams, Ph.D.

##### Research Physical Scientist

Astrogeology Science Center

kewilliams@usgs.gov

#### Amber Gullikson

##### Geologist

Astrogeology Science Center

agullikson@usgs.gov

                  - Overview  
The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Science Center (ASC) recently established the Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET) program. This service-oriented program is built around the recognition that the Earth is a fundamental training ground for human and robotic planetary exploration, and that ASC is in a unique position in northern Arizona with access to a range of geologic analogs for planetary science and technology research. The ASC has a long history of responding to community needs and is currently working to provide the community with datasets, sample collections, logistical support, field guides, and other resources that support terrestrial analog fieldwork, testing, and data dissemination. **Our vision is to lead the planetary science community in training, research, data archiving, and sample curation involving terrestrial analog field sites.​**
ProjectsCurrent projects underway at TARGET.Field GuidesField guides developed by TARGETCommon AnalogsCommon Analogs
ASC is prepared to facilitate external scientists in their development and completion of fieldwork in Northern Arizona, as well as to support the long-term preservation of both digital and physical data.  The TARGET program seeks to leverage the history, location, service-orientated project model, and cross-disciplinary nature of ASC to enhance the scientific and educational return from terrestrial analog studies.  This program aims to provide information and tools to the broader community so the quality of analog studies can be improved by all scientists funded by NASA and other agencies.​

 
What is an Analog?
Terrestrial analogs are locations on Earth with one or more geological, biological, or environmental conditions similar to those found on other planets, either past or present. Analog studies often focus on investigating geologic processes on Earth and extrapolating them to other planetary bodies.  In addition to scientific investigations, terrestrial analogs are used for training, technology demonstrations, traverse planning, and field simulations.​

 
**Upcoming Events:**
Second Workshop on Terrestrial Analogs for Planetary Exploration, August 12-14, 2024 in Flagstaff, AZ.

Second Workshop on Terrestrial Analogs for Planetary Exploration (usra.edu)

 

 
Study AreaContactsLauren Edgar, Ph.D.Research GeologistAstrogeology Science CenterEmailledgar@usgs.govKristen Bennett, PhDResearch Space ScientistAstrogeology Science CenterEmailkbennett@usgs.govPhone928-556-7260Timothy Neal Titus, Ph.D.Research Space ScientistAstrogeology Science CenterEmailttitus@usgs.govPhone928-556-7201Kaj Williams, Ph.D.Research Physical ScientistAstrogeology Science CenterEmailkewilliams@usgs.govAmber GulliksonGeologistAstrogeology Science CenterEmailagullikson@usgs.govRichard Gregory Vaughan, PhDRemote Sensing LeadYellowstone Volcano ObservatoryResearch GeologistAstrogeology Science CenterEmailgvaughan@usgs.govPhone928-556-7006Colin Dundas, Ph.D.Research GeologistAstrogeology Science CenterEmailcdundas@usgs.govPhone928-556-7143Laszlo Kestay, Ph.D.Research GeologistAstrogeology Science CenterEmaillaz@usgs.govPhone928-556-7002Chris H Okubo, PhDDeputy Center Director and Research Operations LeadAstrogeology Science CenterEmailcokubo@usgs.govPhone928-556-7009Jim SkinnerSupervisory Geologist Astrogeology Science CenterEmailjskinner@usgs.govMarc HunterIT Specialist (Applications Software)Astrogeology Science CenterEmailmahunter@usgs.govPhone928-556-7220Explore Search- Analogs
- Earth
- Geomorphology
- Inner Solar System
- Mars
- Modeling
- Moon
- Labs and Facilities
- Research
- Astronaut Training
- Craters
- Remote Sensing
- Geology
- Planetary Science
- Planetary analogs
View All ** 
                  - Connect  
USGS Astrogeology Participants in TARGET.

For more information, please email AstroAnalogs@usgs.gov
Lauren Edgar, Ph.D.Research GeologistAstrogeology Science CenterEmailledgar@usgs.govKristen Bennett, PhDResearch Space ScientistAstrogeology Science CenterEmailkbennett@usgs.govPhone928-556-7260Colin Dundas, Ph.D.Research GeologistAstrogeology Science CenterEmailcdundas@usgs.govPhone928-556-7143Marc HunterIT Specialist (Applications Software)Astrogeology Science CenterEmailmahunter@usgs.govPhone928-556-7220Laszlo Kestay, Ph.D.Research GeologistAstrogeology Science CenterEmaillaz@usgs.govPhone928-556-7002Chris H Okubo, PhDDeputy Center Director and Research Operations LeadAstrogeology Science CenterEmailcokubo@usgs.govPhone928-556-7009Jim SkinnerSupervisory Geologist Astrogeology Science CenterEmailjskinner@usgs.govTimothy Neal Titus, Ph.D.Research Space ScientistAstrogeology Science CenterEmailttitus@usgs.govPhone928-556-7201Richard Gregory Vaughan, PhDRemote Sensing LeadYellowstone Volcano ObservatoryResearch GeologistAstrogeology Science CenterEmailgvaughan@usgs.govPhone928-556-7006Kaj Williams, Ph.D.Research Physical ScientistAstrogeology Science CenterEmailkewilliams@usgs.govAmber GulliksonGeologistAstrogeology Science CenterEmailagullikson@usgs.gov