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Batson, R. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Batson, R. M..

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Voyager Cartography

The Jovian and Saturnian satellites are being mapped at several scales from Voyager 1 and 2 data. The maps include specially formatted color mosaics, controlled photomosaics, and airbrush maps. More than 500 Voyager images of the Jovian and Saturnian satellites were radiometrically processed in preparation for cartographic processing. Of these images, 235 were geometrically transformed to map projections for base mosaic compilations. Special techniques for producing hybrid photomosaic/airbrush maps of Callisto are under investigation. The techniques involve making controlled computer mosaics of all available images with highest resolution images superimposed on lowest resolution images. The mosaics are then improved by airbrushing: seams and artifacts are removed, and image details enhanced that had been lost by saturation in some images. A controlled mosaic of the northern hemisphere of Rhea is complete, as is all processing for a similar mosaic of the equatorial region. Current plans and status of the various series are shown in a table.

Batson, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Tests of Low-frequency Geometric Distortions in LANDSAT 4 Images

The geometric characteristics of LANDSAT 4 images were studied. The extent of image distortion caused by the physical process of writing the LANDSAT 4 images on film was determined. The geometric accuracies inherent in the digital images themselves were characterized. Test materials consisted of film images of test targets generated by the laser beam recorders (LBR), the Optronics Photowrite film writer, and digital image films of a strip 600 lines deep across the full width of band 5 of the Washington, D.C. Thematic Mapper scene. The tests were made by least squares adjustment of an array of measured image points to a corresponding array of control points. The film test array consists of 25 test points, and the image test array consists of 60 test points, resulting in a model that can be used to characterize the low frequency, random geometric distortions of the images. The tests were not suitable for examining jitter or similar high-frequency distortions.

Batson, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Tests of low-frequency geometric distortions in LANDSAT-4 images

The geometric fidelity of the GSFC filmwriter used for Thematic Mapper (TM) images was assessed by measurement with accuracy better than three micrometers of a test grid. A set of 55 control points with known UTM coordinates was measured on a digital display of part of band 5 of the TM image of the Washington, D.C. area and fitted to the control points. The tests indicate that the geometric fidelity of TM images is likely to be higher than the ability of film recorders to reproduce the images.

Batson, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Voyager 1 and 2 Atlas of Six Saturnian Satellites

Maps, compiled with data gathered primarily by Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft, are presented which show the diversity among six of the Saturnian moons. Mimas and Enceladus are mapped in detail. Prelimary maps are given for the other four satellites. Diameter, density, albedo, and distance from mother planet, among much more data, is given for each moon.

Batson, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Status and future of extraterrestrial mapping programs

Extensive mapping programs have been completed for the Earth's Moon and for the planet Mercury. Mars, Venus, and the Galilean satellites of Jupiter (Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto), are currently being mapped. The two Voyager spacecraft are expected to return data from which maps can be made of as many as six of the satellites of Saturn and two or more of the satellites of Uranus. The standard reconnaissance mapping scales used for the planets are 1:25,000,000 and 1:5,000,000; where resolution of data warrants, maps are compiled at the larger scales of 1:2,000,000, 1:1,000,000 and 1:250,000. Planimetric maps of a particular planet are compiled first. The first spacecraft to visit a planet is not designed to return data from which elevations can be determined. As exploration becomes more intensive, more sophisticated missions return photogrammetric and other data to permit compilation of contour maps.

Batson, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Albedo boundaries on Mars in 1972 - Results from Mariner 9

A map of 'albedo' boundaries (light and dark markings) on Mars was prepared from Mariner 9 images. After special digital processing, these pictures provide detailed locations of albedo boundaries, which is significant in interpreting recent eolian activity. Derivation of absolute albedo values from the spacecraft data was not attempted. The map correlates well with telescopic observations of Mars after the 1971 dust storm.

Batson, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Surface coordinates and cartography of Mercury

A control net of Mercury has been established photogrammetrically by using the Mariner 10 pictures; coordinates of 1328 points are given. The Mariner 10 coordinate system uses a system of longitudes in which the twentieth meridian passes through the center of the small crater Hun Kal and the spin axis is assumed normal to the orbital plane. A reference mosaic of Mercury has been published, and a series of 1:5,000,000 maps is now being produced.

Davies, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Atlas of Surveyor 5 television data

This atlas is a compendium of the Surveyor 5 television mosaics. It it divided into two main sections. The first consists of improved mosaics of panoramas and basic cartographic data used in investigating surface detail, and the second contains individual frame data, including photoindex mosaics and tabulations in which individual frames are identified. A short section containing a set of special-purpose mosaics assembled by the staff of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is also included. For more details about the Surveyor 5 mission, television data, or science results, a brief bibliography is included.

Batson, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Cartographic products from the Mariner 9 mission

Simultaneous acquisition of geodetic, cartographic, geologic, and other scientific data on Mars from Mariner 9 required extensive modification of conventional methods of mapping. Preliminary evaluation of all data simultaneously generated an inordinately large number of interim cartographic products for a final cartographic atlas of Mars. The selection of the scales at which Mars would be mapped, the projections to be used, and the way the planet would be divided into quadrangles was based on the resolution of Mariner 9 pictures and upon the resources available over the lifetime of the Mariner Mars 1971 Project.

Batson, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Preliminary geologic investigation of the Apollo 17 landing site

A geological investigation of the Apollo 17 lunar landing site was conducted. The Taurus-Littrow valley is interpreted as a deep graben formed by structural adjustment of lunar crustal material to the Serenitatis impact. Materials of the valley fill were sampled at many stations. Ejecta around many craters on the valley floor consist of basalt, showing that the graben was partly filled by lava flows. The geological objectives of the Apollo 17 mission are divided into orbital and lunar surface data collection. The data obtained for both types of investigation are presented in tables, photographs, and drawings.

Muehlberger, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Preliminary catalog of pictures taken on the lunar surface during the Apollo 16 mission

A catalog of all pictures taken from the lunar module or the lunar surface during the Apollo 16 lunar stay is presented. The tabulations are arranged for the following specific uses: (1) given the number of a particular frame, find its location in the sequence of lunar surface activity, the station from which it was taken and the subject matter of the picture; (2) given a particular location or activity within the sequence of lunar surface activity, find the pictures taken at that time and their subject matter; and (3) given a sample number from the voice transcript listed, find the designation assigned to the same sample by the lunar receiving laboratory.

Batson, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Mariner 9 television reconnaissance of Mars and its satellites - Preliminary results.

At orbit insertion, the Martian surface was largely obscured by a dust haze with an extinction optical depth that ranged from near unity in the south polar region to probably greater than two over most of the planet. The only features clearly visible were the south polar cap, one dark spot in Nix Olympica, and three dark spots in the Tharsis region. During the third week, the atmosphere began to clear and surface visibility improved, but contrasts remained a fraction of their normal value. Each of the dark spots that apparently protrude through most of the dust-filled atmosphere has a crater or crater complex in its center. The craters apparently were formed by subsidence and resemble terrestrial calderas.

Masursky, H.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Preliminary geologic investigation of the Apollo 15 landing site

The Apollo 15 lunar module (LM) landed on the mare surface of Palus Putredinis on the eastern edge of the Imbrium Basin. The site is between the Apennine Mountain front and Hadley Rille. The objectives of the mission, in order of decreasing priority, were description and sampling of three major geologic features-the Apennine Front, Hadley Rille, and the mare. The greater number of periods of extravehicular activity (EVA) and the mobility provided by the lunar roving vehicle (ROVER) allowed much more geologic information to be obtained from a much larger area than those explored by previous Apollo crews. A total of 5 hours was spent at traverse station stops, and the astronauts transmitted excellent descriptions of the lunar surface while in transit between stations.

Swann, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Preliminary geologic investigation of the Apollo 16 landing site

Preliminary results of examining the lunar rock samples from the Apollo 16 flight are reported. Topics discussed include: premission geologic studies, geologic objectives, description of the site and traverse routes, superficial deposits, and station descriptions.

Muehlberger, W. R.↗