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 NASA SSD/CNEOS API Explorer – Design Summary and Purpose

The NASA SSD/CNEOS API Explorer is an interactive data visualization tool built with Python and Gradio, designed to explore real-time data from NASA’s Solar System Dynamics (SSD) and Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). It enables users to interact with fireball event data, near-Earth asteroid close approaches, and object tracking insights using clean, user-friendly controls and dynamic visualizations.

Development Summary

Framework:

  • Built with Gradio Blocks for a tabbed, modular interface.

  • Integrated interactive widgets for input filtering and visual output.

API Integration:

  • Connects to real-time NASA APIs:

    • fireball.api for atmospheric entries

    • cad.api for close-approach data

  • Clean parameter handling and response formatting for reliability.

Data Processing:

  • Uses pandas for structured tabular outputs.

  • Transforms raw API responses into user-readable formats.

  • Implements robust error handling and fallback logic for API call stability.

Visualization:

  • Built with plotly for interactive geospatial and scatter plots.

  • Fireball data plotted on a global map by latitude and longitude.

  • Close approaches displayed via distance vs. velocity charts.

  • Scout/NEA modules pending endpoint validation.

User Interface & Controls:

  • Sliders, textboxes, and dropdowns for live API filtering.

  • Four-tab layout: Fireballs, Close Approaches, NEA Data, Scout Data.

  • Supports mobile-friendly, dark-themed responsive design.

Purpose

This application helps users:

  • Monitor recent fireball events and their locations worldwide.

  • Track near-Earth objects' approach distances, magnitudes, and trajectories.

  • Explore asteroid orbital and physical characteristics (WIP).

  • Visualize close-approach velocity and energy data over time.

The app is ideal for:

  • Space enthusiasts

  • Citizen scientists

  • Students and educators in astronomy or planetary science

  • Anyone curious about near-Earth space object activity, presented in a clean, visual format.