Descriptive Entry

This record unit consists entirely of oversized materials, mostly lunar surface maps and a few maps of Earth's surface, including Egypt, taken from space. For other records concerning lunar nomenclature, the lunar surface, and space maps of Egypt, see the papers of Farouk El-Baz, Record Unit 7415.

Historical Note

The Center for Earth and Planetary Studies (CEPS) was established in 1974 as part of a formal program of research at the National Air and Space Museum (NASM). At the same time, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) transferred its collection of lunar scientific maps and photographs to CEPS. Farouk El-Baz, a lunar geologist and a member of the International Astrophysical Union Task Force on Lunar Nomenclature, was appointed first Research Director. CEPS, working with NASA, undertook both lunar and earth mapping projects, such as the Apollo Soyuz Test Project, which utilized astronauts in earth orbit to study and map earth features. El-Baz served as Director, 1974- .