Science Explorer: Next Generation Access to ADS and All NASA Science

For over 30 years, the Astrophysics Data System (ADS) has been the essential digital library for astrophysicists. Building on this success, ADS expanded to serve more scientific disciplines. In support of open science, NASA directed ADS to cover planetary science, heliophysics, and Earth science, comprehensively, plus NASA-funded research in the biological and physical sciences. As a result, ADS is now an interdisciplinary platform, the Science Explorer (SciX), unifying the physical sciences.

SciX discipline-specific interfaces allow researchers to use their preferred terms to search a vast multidisciplinary database for relevant scholarly literature, data sets, and software. Links to the publisher’s and open access versions, such as preprints, ensure access for all scientists.

SciX visualizations map relations among authors and concepts, encouraging exploration of collaborations and trends across disciplines. Advanced functions suggest review articles, trending papers, and similar research, essential for tracking rapidly evolving topics.

Using robust SciX citation metrics and bibliographic tools, physicists track their impact and identify key papers. Exporting custom libraries expedites drafting articles, grant proposals, CVs, and literature reviews. 

For ADS users, the SciX astrophysics interface is familiar, even offering the “classic” form. ADS links, libraries, and accounts are unchanged. However, familiar searches reveal relevant research beyond disciplinary boundaries.