Bérczi, Sz., & Hargitai (2006). Multilingual Maps of the Terrestrial Planets and their Moons: the East and Central European Edition. In 1st European Planetary Science Congress 2006 (Abstract conf-BSZ).
Planetary cartography
Research leader: Henrik Hargitai.
Planetary Mapping Working Group
The Planetary Mapping Working Group of the Cosmic Materials Space Research Group at Eötvös Loránd University
The Working Group edits and publishes planetary maps for scientific, outreach, and educational purposes. Our main projects are maintaining the International Planetary Map Database; producing a series of planetary maps for children; and publishing and continuously updating the Multilingual Map Series of Terrestrial Planets and their Moons in cooperation with the ICA Commission on Planetary Cartography. The series publishes maps in English and Central European languages. We also publish maps intended for use in secondary schools in Hungary. We publish textbooks related to planetary science and work on the Hungarian nomenclature of planetary surface features. Our planetary maps appear in numerous Hungarian publications, from daily newspapers to scientific papers.
Exhibition maps
- Mars exploration map
Exhibition maps, Celldömölk, Volcano Museum. Created by Henrik Hargitai.
- Venus exploration map
Exhibition maps, Celldömölk, Volcano Museum. Created by Henrik Hargitai.
Additional maps
Planet posters
Detailed colour relief maps, data and descriptions (PDF).
Virtual planetary globes
Planetary mapping articles and book chapters
Martian geological and thematic mapping
- (2022). The channels East of Olympus Mons, Mars. Journal of Maps
The study maps channels east of Olympus Mons, the largest volcano on Mars. It classifies channel systems among the lava flows and investigates their formation, providing the resulting map in both digital GIS and static formats. Source
- (2019). Evolution of the Navua Valles region: Implications for Mars’ paleoclimatic history. Icarus, 330, 91–102
The study examines channels and valleys in Navua Valles near the rim of Hellas Basin. Their development is used to investigate past water-related activity and what it can reveal about the earlier climate of Mars. Source
- (2018). The Geology of the Navua Valles Region of Mars. Journal of Maps
This paper presents a detailed geological map of the Navua Valles region on Mars. High-resolution spacecraft images are used to distinguish surface units and clarify how the valleys and surrounding deposits developed over time. Source
Planetary cartography, GIS, and mapping methods
- (2021). Facilitating reuse of planetary spatial research data – Conceptualizing an open map repository as part of a Planetary Research Data Infrastructure. Planetary and Space Science, 204, 105269
The paper proposes an open repository to prevent research-produced planetary maps from being lost or remaining difficult to access. Its aim is to preserve derived data systematically and make them reusable by other researchers. Source
- (2019). Fundamental Frameworks in Planetary Mapping: A Review. In: Planetary Cartography and GIS, pp. 75–101
This chapter explains the geometric foundations of accurate planetary maps. It covers body shapes, coordinate systems and reference surfaces needed to align different measurements reliably. Source
- (2019). Planetary Mapping: A Historical Overview. In: Planetary Cartography and GIS, pp. 27–64
This chapter traces planetary mapping from telescopic drawings through photography to digital spacecraft data. It shows how maps evolved alongside technology, scientific aims and space-exploration programs. Source
- (2019). Cartography: Its Role and Interdisciplinary Character in Planetary Science. In: Planetary Cartography and GIS, pp. 3–26
This chapter explains how spacecraft spatial data become meaningful planetary maps. It discusses the scientific, technical and visual roles of cartography and the shift from printed maps to interactive databases. Source
- (2019). Methods in Planetary Topographic Mapping: A Review. In: Planetary Cartography and GIS, pp. 147–174
This chapter reviews how the topography of other planetary bodies is measured and represented. Elevation data obtained through different observation techniques help identify landforms and interpret their geology. Source
- (2019). Participants and Initiatives in Planetary Cartography. In: Planetary Cartography and GIS, pp. 355–374
This chapter introduces major institutions, research groups and initiatives in planetary cartography. It explains connections between national programs and international cooperation without claiming to list every active organization. Source
- (2017). Map Projections in Planetary Cartography. In: Choosing a Map Projection, pp. 177–202
- (2006). Planetary Maps: Visualization and Nomenclature. Cartographica, 41(2), 149–167
- (2005). The Realization of ICA Commission Projects on Planetary Cartography. Cartographica, 40(4), 105–114
Planetary nomenclature and place names
- (2014). Chinese and Russian Language Equivalents of the IAU Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature: An Overview of Planetary Toponym Localization Methods. The Cartographic Journal
- (2011). Planetary Nomenclature: A Representation of Human Culture and Alien Landscapes. In: Advances in Cartography and GIScience, Vol. 2, pp. 275–288
- (2009). Javaslat a planetológiai nevezéktan magyar rendszerére. Meteor csillagászati évkönyv 2010, pp. 280–302
- (2008). Földön kívüli égitestek geológiai és rétegtani tagolása és nevezéktana. Földtani Közlöny, 138(4), 323–338
- (2007). Development of a Local Toponym System at the Mars Desert Research Station. Cartographica, 42(2), 179–187
Hargitai, H. I., Berczi, Sz., Kereszturi, A., & Illes, E. (2007). Localizing the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Nemzetközi Térképészeti Konferencia, Moszkva, 2007, August 4-9.
Educational and outreach planetary maps
- (2017). An Online Planetary Exploration Tool: ‘Country Movers’. Acta Astronautica
Country Movers places familiar countries onto maps of other worlds to make their sizes and distances easier to imagine. The paper explains how these comparisons and travel-time estimates can support planetary science teaching. Source
- (2015). Multilingual Narrative Planetary Maps for Children. In: Cartography – Maps Connecting the World, pp. 17–30
This chapter presents the design of multilingual planetary maps for children. It combines scientific surface information with illustrated stories and recognizable features to make maps of distant worlds accessible to younger readers. Source
- (2013). ‘Blind Mouse’ on Mars and on the Moon – A Map Game for Disseminating Planetary Topographic Knowledge. Cartographica, 48(4), 325–331
Kárpáti, Sz., Hargitai, H., Gucsik, A., & Bérczi, Sz. (2023). Creation and testing of activities in the outreach atlas of Mars. 54. LPSC, #1923, Houston.
REFERENCES
- Kira B. Shingareva, Jim Zimbelman, Manfred F. Buchroithner and Henrik I. Hargitai (2005): The Realization of ICA Commission Projects on Planetary Cartography Cartographica, vol. 40, no. 4 /Winter 2005 pp 105-114 DOI 10.3138/3660-4078-55X1-3808 The Realization of ICA Commission Projects ...
- Henrik I. Hargitai (2006) Planetary Maps: Visualization and Nomenclature. Cartographica vol. 41, no 2 / Summer 2006 pp 149-167 DOI 10.3138/9862-21JU-4021-72M3
- Henrik I. Hargitai, Hugh S. Gregory, Jan Osburg and Dennis Hands (2007): Development of a Local Toponym System at the Mars Desert Research Station Cartographica volt. 42, no. 2 / Summer 2007 pp 179-187 DOI 10.3138/carto.42.2.179
- Hargitai H. 2004: Multilingual Planetary Maps for Non-professional Audience: Visualization and nomenclature. INTERCARTO-10, Vladivostok
- Hargitai H.-Bérczi Sz. 2004: Planetary Science Outreach: Old methods, new packaging. Education via DVD and Planetary Maps. International Astronautical Congress, Vancouver IAC-04-IAF-4.P4
- H. Hargitai, Á. Kereszturi, Multilingual map of Mars, Intercarto 8, 2002 Conference site
- A Mars térképe (Topographic map of Mars) Földgömb 2007/1
- Henrik Hargitai (ed.), Ákos Kereszturi: Star Map ELTE KAVÜCS, 2006.
Further publications by topic
Further research
Hargitai Henrik (2026). Reanalysis of Venus radar data and amendments to Venusian nomenclature. MAPSIT Meeting April 14–16, 2026 Houston, Texas/Virtual, p. 1. PDF
Henrik Hargitai, Damján Szabó, Miklós Vincze, & Ákos Kereszturi (2025). An integrated, feature-based Geographic Information System for Venus. EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2025, Helsinki, Finland, abstract #EPSC-DPS2025-1305.
This work brings existing information on different Venusian landforms into a unified geographic information system. Searchable, overlapping map layers can make comparative research and future mission planning more efficient. Source
Nass, A., van Gasselt, S., Hare, T., & Hargitai, H. (2021). 50 Years of Sensor-Based Planetary Cartography: Review and Perspectives. ICC.
This review summarizes decades of development and current challenges in planetary cartography. It calls for stronger links with terrestrial cartography to produce more detailed, accurate and sustainable planetary maps. Source
Nass, A., Asch, K., van Gasselt, S., Rossi, A. P., Besse, S., Cecconi, B., Frigeri, A., Hare, T., Hargitai, H., & Manaud, N. (2021). Facilitating reuse of planetary spatial research data. Planetary and Space Science, 204, 105269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2021.105269
The paper proposes an open repository to prevent research-produced planetary maps from being lost or remaining difficult to access. Its aim is to preserve derived data systematically and make them reusable by other researchers. Source
Hargitai, Henrik (2021). The Pocket Atlas of Mars. LPSC, abstract #2109.
Hargitai, H., & Pitura, M. (2018). Four Centuries of European Planetary Mapping. EPSC, abstract #EPSC2018-258.
Hargitai, H., & Pitura, M. (2018). International Catalog of Planetary Maps 1600–2017. LPSC, abstract #2608.
Nass, A., van Gasselt, S., Hargitai, H., Hare, T., Manaud, N., Karachevtseva, I., Kersten, E., Roatsch, T., Wählisch, M., & Kereszturi, Á. (2016). From Planetary Mapping to Map Production: Planetary Cartography as integral discipline in Planetary Sciences. EGU, abstract #14063.
Hargitai, Henrik (2016). Map of the Pluto System – Children’s Edition. AGU, abstract #134228.
Nass, A., van Gasselt, S., Hargitai, H., Hare, T., Manaud, N., Karachevtseva, I., Kersten, E., Roatsch, T., Wählisch, M., & Kereszturi, Á. (2016). Planetary Cartography as Integral Discipline in Planetary Sciences: From Planetary Mapping to Map Production. Annual Planetary Geologic Mappers Meeting, abstract #7021.
Albert, G., Ungvári, Z., Merk, Z., & Gede, M. (2015). Map of ancient tectonic forces on Mars - Visualization of a global stress-field model based on the new geologic map of the Red Planet. ICC, abstract #833.
Hargitai, H., Shingareva, K. B., Golodnikova, I. Y., & Gede, M. (2010). Historic soviet planetary maps online. LPSC, abstract #1209.
Hargitai, H., & Kereszturi, Á. (2010). Towards the development of supplements to the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. EPSC, abstract #EPSC2010-865.