{"slug": "nasa-and-ibm-open-source-lunar-mapping-tools", "title": "NASA and IBM Open Source Lunar Mapping Tools", "summary": "NASA and IBM released an open-source AI model, the NASA-IBM Lunar Foundation Model, which they claim is the first to integrate lunar observations across multiple data modalities, viewing angles, and spatial scales. The model is paired with an open-source lunar dataset compiled from over 30 spatially-aligned layers using data from nine instruments across four missions, combining tens of thousands of images and maps. NASA and IBM say researchers can use the tools to hunt for previously unidentified lunar ice deposits, analyze Irregular Mare Patches, and identify and classify craters.", "body_md": "NASA and IBM have released an open-source AI model trained on a large collection of lunar observations to help scientists analyze the Moon at scale. \"The NASA-IBM Lunar Foundation Model gives scientists a foundation to explore the Moon at scale, connecting observations across instruments, revealing patterns that are difficult to see in isolation, and providing an open platform the global research community can build on,\" said IBM director of research for Europe, Juan Bernabe-Moreno. The Register reports: It is claimed as the first AI model to integrate observations captured in a range of modalities (data formats), and at different viewing angles and spatial scales. Instead of sifting through maps and images by hand or using low resolution machine learning models, scientists can use this to analyze geographic features, the pair say. In particular, NASA and IBM hope researchers will be able to discover previously unidentified lunar ice deposits, analyze volcanic features called Irregular Mare Patches, and identify and classify craters.\n \nLunar ice indicates the presence of water and oxygen, which may be useful for future manned missions. It is found in permanently shadowed regions, which are among the most difficult areas to observe. The NASA-IBM model combines multimodal and multi-resolution observations to better predict where ice may be present on the lunar surface. Alongside the model, IBM and NASA scientists compiled an open-source lunar dataset from over 30 spatially-aligned layers, using data from nine instruments across four missions. It combines tens of thousands of images and maps showing various geophysical properties of the lunar surface.\n[Read more of this story](https://science.slashdot.org/story/26/09/12/182253/nasa-and-ibm-open-source-lunar-mapping-tools?utm_source=rss1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed) at Slashdot.", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/nasa-and-ibm-open-source-lunar-mapping-tools", "canonical_source": "https://science.slashdot.org/story/26/09/12/182253/nasa-and-ibm-open-source-lunar-mapping-tools?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed", "published_at": "2026-09-13 22:04:00+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-09-13 22:20:59.367922+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["artificial-intelligence", "ai-research", "ai-tools", "computer-vision", "ai-products"], "entities": ["NASA", "IBM", "NASA-IBM Lunar Foundation Model", "Juan Bernabe-Moreno", "Irregular Mare Patches"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/nasa-and-ibm-open-source-lunar-mapping-tools", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/nasa-and-ibm-open-source-lunar-mapping-tools.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/nasa-and-ibm-open-source-lunar-mapping-tools.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/nasa-and-ibm-open-source-lunar-mapping-tools.jsonld"}}