Introduction
The Pacific
Regional Planetary Data Center (PRPDC) is an archive of planetary data
that serves the planetary research and education community throughout
the Pacific. It was founded in 1983 by NASA
in cooperation with the University of Hawaii in order to:
- provide access to planetary images and maps that have been generated by the U.S. Space Program
- acquire and maintain planetary data sets, including data obtained from space probes and ground-based observations;
- provide assistance to researchers, educators, and the general public in locating, using and acquiring planetary data products.
The PRPDC is
one of a network of 17 NASA Regional Planetary Image Facilities
(RPIFs), which includes 10 centers in the United States, five in
Europe, one
in Japan, and one in Israel. The RPIFs are linked via Internet,
allowing
them to pool their resources rapidly in response to challenging data
aquisition, archiving, and retrieval matters.
Access Policy
The PRPDC is open to all members of the scientific community who are engaged in planetary research. Other scientists, educators, students, and interested members of the general public are encouraged to use the Data Center, but are requested to call in advance to ensure adequate arrangements for their visit.
PRPDC Access Hours
- 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday except State holidays (other hours by appointment).
Services
- The PRPDC serves as a preview facility, analogous to a reference library. The staff can help visitors locate data products for use on-site, and can also provide assistance in obtaining copies of selected data products from the relevant distribution center. (Distribution centers may charge user fees for reproducing data products.)
- Through local and remote databases, Data Center staff can conduct detailed searches of RPIF holdings and generate customized reports. PRPDC users can compute planetary ephemerides and preview digital images on-site. Work areas, light tables, audio-visual equipment and a photographic copy stand are also available. Visitors wishing to use the copy stand to reproduce planetary images or maps are encouraged to bring their own cameras.
- The PRPDC conducts an active education program featuring public lectures, outreach to local schools, open houses, and other space-related activities. The Data Center frequently collaborates with local, national and international agencies on projects relating to space education.
Data Available
Lunar and planetary images are stored in many different formats: prints, negatives, positive transparencies, 16mm films, 35mm slides, photo atlases, microfiche, CD-ROM, and video disk. The PRPDC has an extensive lunar and planetary cartography collection which includes topographic and shaded relief maps. The PRPDC collection also includes mission planning and support documents, press release images, and reference materials relevant to planetary science.
For a deailed list of data holdings, view our Archived Data list.
Location
The Pacific Regional Planetary Data Center is located on the 5th floor of the Pacific Ocean Science & Technology building, on the Manoa Campus of the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, on the island of Oahu.
Here's a UH Manoa Campus Map
Mailing Address:
Pacific Regional Planetary Data CenterHIGP/SOEST
2525 Correa Road
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, HI 96822 U.S.A. E-mail: prpdc@higp.hawaii.edu Chris Peterson, Manager
Web: http://www.higp.hawaii.edu/prpdc
*NOTE: The PRPDC is one of 17 NASA Regional Planetary Image Facilities (RPIFs) around the world. For more information on access to images from NASA's planetary exploration programs, you must contact the nearest RPIF. We can not process international requests or requests from outside of our region.
Staff
- Director: Dr. B. Ray Hawke
- Manager: Chris Peterson
- Educational Outreach Program Director: Gregory A. Smith
- Data Assistants: Vicky Lee, Polly Nakamura
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