Moon enthusiasts of all ages are being challenged to help identify features on the Moon that might pose a hazard to astronauts or lunar rovers that will be exploring the surface.
The 2022 EXPLORE Lunar Data Challenge uses machine learning techniques to identify geologic features of interest on the Moon.
Through the Data Challenges, the EXPLORE project aims to support the automation of planetary mapping and the identification of hazards or resources for future missions.
The EXPLORE Expert Lunar Data Challenge is open to students, professionals and enthusiasts interested in planetary science and data processing (and you can win prizes of value up to €1,500 and a piece of moon rock).
There is also a EXPLORE Public Lunar Data Challenge to plot the safe traverse of a lunar rover across the surface of the moon which is open to anyone who wants to “have a go,” (where, if you complete the challenge, you are entered into a free draw for a piece of moon rock).
For school students aged 10-14 year old, there’s the EXPLORE Classroom Lunar Data Challenge (no prizes given here), with hands-on activities about lunar exploration and machine learning.
The core of the challenge is the use of machine learning techniques to identify specific geological features on the Archytas Dome and its surroundings on the Moon.
This intrusive dome is located inside the Mare Frigoris at 55.5 N° and 0.9° E.
To the south, a long rille makes its way towards Frigoris between craters of different ages, boulders, and mounds.
The heterogeneity of this zone (how diverse it is) makes it a suitable scenario to conduct this data challenge.
The region is close to the Apollo 17 landing site where the last humans (Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt) set foot on the moon 50 years ago this December.
The EXPLORE project is funded by the European Commission and was announced at the Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC) 2022 in Granada, Spain, recently.
Giacomo Nodjoumi said that “the Challenge uses data of the Archytas Dome taken by the Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission. This area of the moon is packed craters of different ages, boulders, mounds, and a long, sinuous depression, or rille. The wide variety of features in this zone makes it a very interesting area for exploration and the perfect scenario for this Data Challenge.”
The Challenge opened on September 21st (2022) and closes on November 21st.
So long as you finish before the closing date, you can start at any time.
Winners will be announced on December 11th.
