Maps

Most common world maps are highly size distorted, with anything toward the poles tending to look much bigger than it really is. Which, in some ways, makes this weird-looking projection a lot more accurate. How it's made is a fascinating process – now, what is it actually useful for?

From the rare scribblings of Alan Turing through to the genius of Newton, Einstein and Émilie du Châtelet​, we continue to navigate our way through the fascinating list of the 50 most valuable scientific documents of all-time​.

In the third installment of our series covering the most valuable scientific documents of all-time we encounter works from Aristotle and one of history's greatest female scientists, along with the first "accurate and complete" map of the world.

​NASA has released a new gravity map for Mars, stitched together from telemetry data collected by a trio of spacecraft orbiting the Red Planet over the course of 16 years.

Britain's Ordnance Survey (OS) has released its first map of Mars to examine the potential of the agency's advanced cartographic methods in creating detailed, easy to understand maps for planning future missions to the Red Planet.

​To shed light on Pluto's evolution, NASA scientists have compiled a geological map of a vast swathe of Pluto's surface from data harvested by the New Horizons spacecraft over the course of its Jul. 14. 2015. flyby.

NASA has released a global color map of the dwarf planet Ceres showing the highs and lows of topography on the rocky body's surface. The new map comes with new official names for many of the craters and other geological features dotting the surface of the planet.

Here's a neat idea from a young designer based in Bath, England. The BATH °C Thermo Colour Map offers a new take on the tourist map by highlighting certain areas of the city that are most suitable to visit, depending on the weather.

Scientists are using satellite data combined with local health information uploaded into geographical information systems (GIS) to help developing countries better manage limited resources and target interventions in the fight against malaria and other deadly parasitic diseases.

ESA's Planck mission is yielding some surprising findings along with a beautiful new map of the Milky Way that breaks down some of the key elements of our galaxy. Data collected by the telescope is helping us unravel the secrets of the early universe.

On its third attempt, NASA has successfully launched its Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite atop a United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket. The orbiter is designed to take high resolution moisture maps on a global scale, mapping the entire planet in the space of only two to three days.

Tactile graphics company Touch Graphics and the University of Buffalo's IDeA Center have collaborated to create multi-sensory 3D maps that give spoken directions and building information when touched, along with sound effects and overhead video projection related to a particular place.