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USGS and DLR topographic mapping of Comet Borrelly

In the fall of 2001, NASA's Deep Space 1 (DS1) probe imaged Comet Borrelly during a flyby encounter. Three of the Borrelly images have geometry suitable to photogrammetrically map the nucleus, which form two stereopairs with an expected precision (EP) of ~410 m and ~670 m each. DS1 team members at the USGS and DLR have independently produced digital elevation models (DEMs) of Borrelly. Automatic s
Authors
Elpitha Howington-Kraus, Randolph L. Kirk, Laurence A. Soderblom, Bernd Giese, Jürgen Oberst

Abstracts of the annual Planetary Geologic Mappers Meeting, June 18-19, 2001, Albuquerque, New Mexico

The annual Planetary Geologic Mappers Meeting serves two purposes. In addition to giving mappers the opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences, victories, and problems with others, presentations are reviewed by the Geologic Mapping Subcommittee (GeMS) to provide input to the Planetary Geology and Geophysics Mapping Program review panel’s consideration of new proposals and progress reports that in
Authors
Kenneth L. Tanaka, David A. Senske

Observations of comet 19P/Borrelly by the miniature integrated camera and spectrometer aboard deep space 1

The nucleus of the Jupiter-family comet 19P/Borrelly was closely observed by the Miniature Integrated Camera and Spectrometer aboard the Deep Space 1 spacecraft on 22 September 2001. The 8-kilometer-long body is highly variegated on a scale of 200 meters, exhibiting large albedo variations (0.01 to 0.03) and complex geologic relationships. Short-wavelength infrared spectra (1.3 to 2.6 micrometers)
Authors
Laurence A. Soderblom, T.L. Becker, G. Bennett, D. C. Boice, D.T. Britt, R. H. Brown, B. J. Buratti, C. Isbell, B. Giese, T. Hare, M.D. Hicks, Elpitha Howington-Kraus, Randolph L. Kirk, M. Lee, R.M. Nelson, J. Oberst, T.C. Owen, M.D. Rayman, B.R. Sandel, S. A. Stern, N. Thomas, R.V. Yelle

Topography and geologic characteristics of aeolian grooves in the south polar layered deposits of Mars

The topographic and geologic characteristics of grooves and groove-like features in the south polar layered deposits near the Mars Polar Lander/Deep Space 2 landing sites are evaluated using Mariner 9 images and their derived photoclinometry, normalized using Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter data. Although both Mariner 9 and Viking images of the south polar layered deposits were available at the time
Authors
N.T. Bridges, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff

Remotely sensed geology from lander-based to orbital perspectives: Results of FIDO rover May 2000 field tests

Blind field tests of the Field Integration Design and Operations (FIDO) prototype Mars rover were carried out 7-16 May 2000. A Core Operations Team (COT), sequestered at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory without knowledge of test site location, prepared command sequences and interpreted data acquired by the rover. Instrument sensors included a stereo panoramic camera, navigational and hazard-avoidance
Authors
B. Jolliff, A. Knoll, R.V. Morris, J. Moersch, H. McSween, M. Gilmore, R. Arvidson, R. Greeley, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, S. Squyres

Layered, massive and thin sediments on Mars: Possible Late Noachian to Late Amazonian tephra?

Data from instruments on the currently orbiting Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) suggest that as an alternative interpretation to lacustrine deposits, widespread sediments on Mars may be tephra deposits of variable age, formed in part by volcano-ice interactions. The materials are often associated with outcrops of mapped geological units that have each been previously interpreted as volcanic ash deposit
Authors
M. G. Chapman

Elevations of water-worn features on Mars: Implications for circulation of groundwater

Central to the model of the evolution of the martian hydrosphere by Clifford and Parker [2001] is a permanent freezing of the planet at the end of the Noachian and recharge of the global groundwater system by basal melting of ice-rich polar deposits. Acquisition of MOLA data by Mars Global Surveyor provides a means of testing the model, since discharge of water onto the surface, after development
Authors
M. H. Carr

Eros: Shape, topography, and slope processes

Stereogrammetric measurement of the shape of Eros using images obtained by NEAR's Multispectral Imager provides a survey of the major topographic features and slope processes on this asteroid. This curved asteroid has radii ranging from 3.1 to 17.7 km and a volume of 2535±20 km3. The center of figure is within 52 m of the center of mass provided by the Navigation team; this minimal difference sugg
Authors
P. C. Thomas, J. Joseph, B. Carcich, J. Veverka, B.E. Clark, J.F. Bell, A.W. Byrd, R. Chomko, M. Robinson, S. Murchie, L. Prockter, A. Cheng, N. Izenberg, M. Malin, C. Chapman, L.A. McFadden, Randolph L. Kirk, M. Gaffey, P. G. Lucey

Catastrophic erosion of Hellas basin rim on Mars induced by magmatic intrusion into volatile-rich rocks

Malea and Hesperia Plana form large sectors of the rim of Hellas basin that display partly eroded volcanic shields and plains. These regions have topographic profiles that appear to be several hundred meters lower than those of adjacent rim sectors and lack prominent massifs of remnant basement that would be expected to stand above the lava plains. We interpret that before the volcanic edifices we
Authors
K. L. Tanaka, J.S. Kargel, D. J. MacKinnon, T.M. Hare, N. Hoffman

Lunar orbiter digitization and cartographic processing

Digitization and cartographic processing of 5 Lunar Orbiter (LO) IV frames (109H, 110H, 114H, 115H, and 114M) are now complete, and these data are available online at http://wwwflag.wr.usgs.gov/USGSFlag/Space/LunarOrbiter/lunorbWebtop.html. Coverage ofthese data extends from Eratosthenes crater on the west to Mare Serenitatis in the east, and from Aristoteles crater in the north to Rima Hyginus in
Authors
Lisa R. Gaddis, Tammy L. Becker, Tracie L. Sucharski, A. Gitlin, Randolph L. Kirk, Elpitha Howington-Kraus

Validation of the USGS sensor model for topographic mapping of Venus using Magellan radar stereoimagery

The Magellan spacecraft went into Venus orbit in 1990 and by 1992 had made three complete cycles of polar orbits, each cycle covering the full range of longitudes. During this time the spacecraft obtained synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of >96% of the planet at a resolution of 75 m/pixel. Images taken with a decreased look angle from vertical, primarily during Cycle 3, provide stereo coverag
Authors
Elpitha Howington-Kraus, Randolph L. Kirk, Donna M. Galuszka, Trent M. Hare, Bonnie L. Redding

High resolution digital elevation models of Mars from MOC Narrow Angle stereoimages

In this abstract we report on our initial experiences performing stereotopographic mapping of Mars with high-resolution images from the Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera Narrow-Angle subsystem (MGS MOC-NA; [1]). Accurate topographic information, and, in particular, high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) are of intense interest at all phases of Mars exploration and scientific invest
Authors
Randolph L. Kirk, Elpitha Howington-Kraus, Brent A. Archinal