The Spacecraft Planetary Image Facility (SPIF) has been in operation since 1980. It is currently sponsored by the Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science and located on Cornell's main Ithaca campus in the Space Sciences Building. SPIF also supports the Cornell Department of Astronomy in undergraduate education, student research, NASA mission science operations, PreK-12 educational support, and community outreach.
SPIF serves three basic functions:
- Provide support for research activities in planetary science at Cornell and the surrounding areas of the northeastern US.
- Provide information and data from both past and present planetary missions to the media and general public.
- Organize and carry out education and outreach activities, related to ongoing NASA space missions of planetary exploration.
SPIF has operated as a repository of spacecraft data, a facilitator of research, and as a hub for PreK-12 education and public outreach activities since 1980. Every year we provide services to hundreds of planetary science students and researchers, as well as interact with thousands of people through our public outreach initiatives. Part of the facilities success lies in the fact that Cornell scientists and staff participate in most of the ongoing NASA Solar System exploration missions.
Cornell University has played a major role in missions such as MER, Cassini, EPOXI, Dawn, and Stardust-NExT, and is currently involved in LRO, MRO, Mars Odyssey, MSL, and Mars 2020. Future missions with Cornell involvement include Europa Clipper and Dragonfly. Both individual investigators and their students make use of SPIF resources and contribute their expertise to various programs designed for researchers, students and the general public.
We are now offering on-site visits and tours. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, walk-in hours are limited and dependent on staffing. Please contact us to schedule a visit. We also recommend checking the calendar for any upcoming public events and closures.
Request outreach services or professional consultation
Alexander G. Hayes, Director
Professor of Astronomy (Cornell University)
Alexander Hayes is the Jennifer and Albert Sohn Professor of Astronomy, and joined the faculty at Cornell in January 2013. He is also the founder and a principal investigator of the Comparative Planetology and Solar System Exploration (COMPASSE) research group. He uses spacecraft-based remote sensing to study the properties of planetary surfaces, their interactions with the interior, and if present, atmosphere. Recently, he has focused on studying the coupling of surface, subsurface, and atmospheric processes on Titan and Mars.
Zoe Learner Ponterio, Manager
Research Support Specialist, Outreach Coordinator (Cornell University)
Zoe Learner Ponterio (she/they) has been managing SPIF since July 2017. Their duties include archiving hardcopy images from past planetary missions, planetary research support specializing in GIS image analysis, and communicating science to the public through outreach activities and PreK-12 education enrichment. They are also a member of the Comparative Planetology and Solar System Exploration (COMPASSE) research group. Her background includes both research and educational experience. She was a graduate student in Astronomy at Cornell working under Dr. Steve Squyres on the Mars Exploration Rovers mission for four years, and then was a high school math and physics teacher for ten years.
Joseph Veverka, Founder
Professor Emeritus of Astronomy (Cornell University)
Joseph Veverka is the founder of SPIF and served as its director for 31 years. His main scientific interests focus on various aspects of solar system research, in particular high-resolution imaging and photometry of planetary, satellite, asteroid and cometary surfaces. He was one of the first to demonstrate that asteroids have well-developed regoliths and that Titan has a thick, cloudy atmosphere.
Ali Jackson, Outreach Partner
Director of Programs and Partnerships (Ithaca Sciencenter)
Ali Jackson oversees SPIF's partnerships with the Sciencenter. We work with Adrienne Testa, Director of Exhibits and Facilities, on the development of exhibits, such as the Sagan Planet Walk and the Life on the Edge exhibit (available for rent). We also work with Caroline Frigon, Education Program Manager, on supporting the Sciencenter summer camps with visits from SPIF personel and astronomy student volunteers to do hands-on activities.
Cornell undergraduate students will, under the advisement of the Director and Data Manager, assist SPIF personnel in various activities including the processing of PDS data, generation of GIS starter packages, archiving of SPIF holdings, printing of poster products and fliers, and video documentation of SPIF activities.
Camilo Nascimento, Web Developer
Project Manager (Arhanta Studio)
Camilo Nascimento developed and currently maintains the COMPASSE Research Group and SPIF websites. He operates design studio Camilo Graphics & Web Solutions, located in Ithaca, NY. Recently he is the lead project manager to Arhanta Studio, a team of artists offering multimedia services to clients worldwide.
Rick Kline
Former Data Manager
Rick Kline was responsible for the day-to-day running of SPIF for 35 years, helping planetary scientists and the interested public access the images they needed. He developed presentation materials, organized outreach events and was the primary presenter for both local and remote visits.
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