USGS high resolution topo-mapping of Mars with Mars Orbiter Camera Narrow-Angle images

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Abstract

We describe our initial experiences producing controlled digital elevation models (DEMs) of Mars with horizontal resolutions of ≤10 m and vertical precisions of ≤2 m. Such models are of intense interest at all phases of Mars exploration and scientific investigation, from the selection of safe landing sites to the quantitative analysis of the morphologic record of surface processes. Topomapping with a resolution adequate to address many of these issues has only become possible with the success of the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) mission. The Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) on MGS mapped the planet globally with absolute accuracies <10 m vertically and ~100 m horizontally but relatively sparse sampling (300 m along track, with gaps of >1 km between tracks common at low latitudes). We rely on the MOLA data as the best available source of control and process images from the narrow-angle Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC-NA) with stereo and photoclinometric (shape-from-shading) techniques to produce DEMs with significantly better horizontal resolution. The techniques described here enable mapping not only with MOC but also with the high-resolution cameras (Mars Express HRSC, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter HiRISE) that will orbit Mars in the next several years.

Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title USGS high resolution topo-mapping of Mars with Mars Orbiter Camera Narrow-Angle images
Year Published 2002
Language English
Publisher International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Contributing office(s) Astrogeology Science Center
Description 10 p.; DVD-ROM
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Conference publication
Larger Work Title Geospatial Theory, Processing and Applications: ISPRS Commission IV Proceedings
Conference Title Geospatial Theory, Processing and Applications: ISPRS Commission IV
Conference Location Ottawa, Canada
Conference Date July 9-12, 2002
Other Geospatial Comet Borrelly
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