Enhancing Planetary Science Discovery through the NASA Science Explorer

Abstract

The NASA Science Explorer (SciX) expands on the Astrophysics Data System (ADS) to provide a unified platform for disseminating research across all disciplines of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, adhering to the FAIR principles—Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable as a cornerstone of NASA's Transform to Open Science (TOPS) initiative. SciX leverages artificial intelligence technologies, such as Named Entity Recognition (NER) optimized by astroBERT and SciXBrain, to enhance data linkage and citation accuracy in planetary science. By improving interoperability with the Planetary Data System (PDS) and other archives, SciX facilitates seamless access to data products and software, boosting scientific collaboration and enhancing NASA missions' scientific return. The integration of tools like the IAU/USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature into SciX allows researchers to directly connect scholarly publications with named planetary features, simplifying the exploration of planetary science data. SciX aims to deepen community engagement through tailored outreach strategies including the SciX Ambassadors program. The SciX Ambassadors program has selected 12 Lead Ambassadors from diverse scientific backgrounds to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and enhance the platform's utility and visibility within the global scientific community, including planetary science. The growth of our diverse network of ambassadors will enable continuous, tailored refinement of the platform’s features while fostering an environment that advances planetary science, interdisciplinary connections, and NASA’s broader goals in open science.