The EXPLORE project has aimed to facilitate efficient, user-friendly exploitation of data from astrophysics and planetary space missions and supporting ground-based surveys.
Six novel Scientific Data Applications (SDAs) have been created that relate to three thematic areas: galactic science (G-Tomo and G-Arch), stellar characterisation (S-Phot and S-Disco) and lunar observation (L-Explo and L-Hex).
The SDAs draw primarily on datasets from recent lunar missions and the European Space Agency (ESA) cornerstone mission, Gaia. The tools deploy Machine Learning and advanced visual analytics to maximise scientific return-on-investment and to support scientific discovery by revealing previously unexploited aspects of the data.
G-Arch enables users to characterise large samples of stellar spectra from Gaia, in order to excavate the history of our galaxy through its chemical evolution. G-Tomo allows users to extract information on the absorption of light by interstellar dust grains and visualise the 3D distribution of dust in the Milky Way, supporting investigations of the relationship between interstellar clouds and populations of stars, and the effects of dust on observations of astrophysical objects.
S-Phot enables users to combine photometric and parallax data from Gaia and other relevant databases to reveal properties of stars in the Milky Way, such as their temperature, luminosity or evidence of circumstellar dust. S-Disco applies Machine Learning and Deep Learning to discover anomalies within large stellar datasets, such as unusual stars or unexpected populations or patterns.
L-Explo identifies subtle differences and anomalies within lunar orbital data to enhance geological mapping of the Moon. L-Hex supports human and robotic exploration of the Moon by providing access to historic and recent lunar data.
Each SDA uses the same software framework to ease development, integration and deployment on science platforms. The SDAs were tested and demonstrated on the dedicated, cloud-based analysis and exploitation platform (
https://explore-platform.eu(opens in new window)) and have been designed to be integrated and deployed on science platforms e.g. ESA Datalabs.
The SDAs are available as open-source software, in accordance with Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) principles. Targeted communication, dissemination and exploitation activities have not only helped develop a user base for the SDAs, but also stimulated space science communities to engage in further development and improvement of the tools. The legacy of EXPLORE is a flexible infrastructure for researchers to create and offer their own services on science platforms, with tools that are close to the input data and open to the community for direct, on-demand exploitation.
