# Mkgraticule\_planet: IAU 2015 graticules for QGIS

**URL:** <https://openplanetary.discourse.group/t/mkgraticule-planet-iau-2015-graticules-for-qgis/859>\
**Category:** Tools and Web Services\
**Tags:** python, gdal, qgis\
**Created:** [March 8, 2026, 5:40am UTC](https://openplanetary.discourse.group/t/mkgraticule-planet-iau-2015-graticules-for-qgis/859 "2026-03-08T05:40:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rhemmi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/openplanetary.discourse.group/rhemmi/32/365_2.png) [@rhemmi](https://openplanetary.discourse.group/u/rhemmi)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2026, 5:40am UTC](https://openplanetary.discourse.group/t/mkgraticule-planet-iau-2015-graticules-for-qgis/859/1 "2026-03-08T05:40:24Z")

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Hi all,

I’ve just released a small open-source CLI utility for generating planetary graticules using **IAU 2015 planetary coordinate systems** :

**GitHub:** [https://github.com/ryodohemmi/mkgraticule\_planet](https://github.com/ryodohemmi/mkgraticule_planet)  
**DOI:** [https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18864189](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18864189)

The tool is designed for **planetary GIS workflows** and exports graticules as **GeoPackage** , so they can be styled and labeled directly in QGIS.

Main features include:

- support for **IAU 2015 planetary CRS**

- **GeoPackage** output with CRS metadata recognized by QGIS

- multiple latitude/longitude label styles (`-180..180`, `E/W`, `0..360`)

- optional **major/minor** grid classification

- safer handling for projected CRS with limited valid domains

- optional **partial reprojection** and **duplicate endpoint (dateline) removal**

I originally built this because I often needed a simple way to create publication-ready planetary graticules in QGIS, especially for projected views such as polar stereographic maps.

The README currently includes two example outputs:

- a global **Phobos** graticule with major/minor classification

- a **Moon south polar stereographic** graticule

I already shared it in the OP Slack `#planetary-mapping` channel and got some very helpful feedback, which led me to add example map images to the README.

Feedback, bug reports, feature suggestions, and use cases are all very welcome.  
If it seems useful, I’d also be happy to share a short QGIS workflow example or tutorial.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![rhemmi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/openplanetary.discourse.group/rhemmi/32/365_2.png) [@rhemmi](https://openplanetary.discourse.group/u/rhemmi)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2026, 9:47am UTC](https://openplanetary.discourse.group/t/mkgraticule-planet-iau-2015-graticules-for-qgis/859/2 "2026-05-13T09:47:11Z")

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Update: `mkgraticule_planet` has reached **v1.0.0**.

The **Python/GDAL CLI** is now available via **conda-forge** :

```auto
conda install -c conda-forge mkgraticule-planet

```

The repository also provides standalone script versions for both **Python/GDAL** and **R/sf**. Those can be used by cloning the repository:

```auto
git clone https://github.com/ryodohemmi/mkgraticule_planet.git

```

The tool generates planetary graticules for IAU 2015 coordinate systems and exports them as GeoPackage layers for QGIS and other planetary GIS workflows.

Feedback and testing from the OpenPlanetary community would be very welcome.