Sedona Westerners Visit USGS Astrogeology Science Center

April 24, 2026

The Sedona Westerners Trackers Group offers a different experience each time they gather for an event. This season they have offered educational hikes to learn about hiking basics and how to read maps and use a compass. We have explored the Heard Museum and hiked Red Mountain to discover its unique geology. The Trackers strive to offer learning opportunities to explore the historical, cultural and natural highlights of the area which may or may not involve hiking, and not all the Trackers’ events take place outdoors.

Recently, meteors have not only been in the news they have crashed into two homes as well. Will one end up in a Sedona kitchen? We decided to take a trip to the U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center to further investigate.

The Astrogeology Science Center, whose unassuming building is located in Flagstaff, produces planetary maps and cartographic products which reveal topography, geology, topology, image mosaics and more, all made available to the international scientific community and the general public as a national resource. The Center was established in 1963 to provide lunar geological mapping and assistance training the astronauts destined for the moon. Throughout the years, the program has participated in processing and analyzing data from numerous missions to planetary bodies in our solar system, assisting in finding potential landing sites for exploration vehicles, and mapping our neighboring planets and their moons. The Center has a staff of approximately forty with varied backgrounds.

We were greeted by Lori Pigue Ph.D. Her areas of specialty include planetary defense and lunar volcanology. The first stop on our tour was Grover the Rover. Grover was built from spare auto and airplane parts. It was used to simulate the Lunar Roving Vehicle which the astronauts would drive on the moon. They could practice collecting rocks and carrying gear. They drove around the Cinder Lake Crater fields where the Center’s staff used explosives to recreate the lunar surface.

We then proceeded into a hallway lined with poster boards that began at the Sun and scaled outward across our solar system, ending at Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. The Kuiper Belt is a vast region of space just beyond Neptune filled with icy objects left over from the formation of our solar system. Think of it as a wide, donut-shaped ring of frozen debris orbiting the Sun. Along the way, we learned about the relative sizes of the planets, which ones have atmospheres, which are rocky and metallic, and which are composed mostly of frozen volatiles. We also explored the gas giants and even encountered a few notable moons along the path.

As we moved through the exhibit, we saw images of meteorite impact features numbering in the thousands, along with canyons of such depth and length that they dwarf anything found on Earth. There was also compelling evidence of water on other planets, especially Mars.

A point driven home was how much our understanding is improving through better photography and the inclusion of more complex instrumentation on our craft through time. Photographs of our moon and its surface are almost unbelievable. The current geological map of Mars is a commendable piece of work and a testament to our experience, learning and ability to project and assimilate ideas gathered through various means.

Through the years, the Astrogeology Science Center has collaborated with programs and facilities worldwide leading to even greater understanding. Lori then escorted us to the archive room, which was crowded with stored exhibits. There she showed us maps of the moon, marked with the landing sites and astronaut traverses. There were detailed models of equipment that have been used in space rockets, satellites and recovery craft. A large area of floor space contained a map of Mars. The most amazing feature was that of Olympus Mons. It is the highest mountain and shield volcano standing approximately sixteen miles above the surrounding plains.

Her wealth of knowledge provided us with comprehensive answers to our many questions.

Now, once again, our sights are set on the moon. Artemis 2, the first crewed mission since 1972, was launched April 1st and is a test flight supporting subsequent Artemis missions which are planned to return humans to the lunar surface in 2028. The Astrogeology Center will provide their expertise and resources to ensure success.

Another great Trackers event, enjoyed by all.

There are only four more weeks left in the Westerners’ hiking season. Saturday the Rustlers will check out Steamboat via Jim Thompson and the Rough Riders are going to hike Agua Fria. Sunday the Drovers will hike Mushroom View and Tuesday the Dogies are going up to Flagstaff to hike Crystal Point – Odell Lake. Wednesday the Drifters will hike Thunder Mountain/Andante Lollipop. Thursday, April 30 the Amblers are hiking Stirrup Lollipop, and the Mustangs are hiking Boynton Needle Loop. Always check sedonawesterners.org for the latest hiking information.