Engineering topics

Inge, J. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Inge, J. L..

8 records

NASA NTRS1992

Indexes of maps of the planets and satellites, 1992

More than 1,600 maps of the surfaces of planets and satellites of the solar system have been produced by the U.S. geological survey and by the defense mapping agency. This collection of maps is a unique research that has been derived from maps and data returned by a series of remarkably successful space missions. These indexes have been compiled to provide a comprehensive listing of all published maps. Many maps are out of print but copies reside in many libraries and regional planetary imaging facilities. These indexes are a valuable resource for studies of the planets and satellites, and are an important starting point for the acquisition of cartographic data.

Inge, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Planetary atlases

Two kinds of planetary map atlases are in production. Atlases of the first kind contain reduced-scale versions of maps in hard-bound books with dimensions of 11 x 14 inches. These new atlases are intended to: (1) provide concise but comprehensive references to the geography of the planets needed by planetary scientists and others; and (2) allow inexpensive access to the planetary map dataset without requiring acquisition and examination of tens or hundreds of full-size map sheets. Two such atlases have been published and a third is in press. Work was begun of an Atlas of the Satellite of the Outer Planets. The second kind of atlas is a popular or semi-technical version designed for commercial publication and distribution. The first edition, The Atlas of the Solar System, is nearly ready for publication. New funding and contracting constraints now make it unlikely that the atlas can be published in the format originally planned. Currently, the possibility of publishing the maps through the U.S. Geological Survey as a series of folios in the I-map series is being explored. The maps are global views of each solid-surface body of the Solar System. Each map shows airbrushed relief, albedo, and, where available, topography. A set of simplified geologic maps is also included. All of the maps are on equal-area projections. Scales are 1:40,000,000 for the Earth and Venus; 1:2,000,000 for the Saturnian satellites Mimas and Enceladus and the Uranian satellite Miranda; 1:100,000 for the Martian satellites, Phobos and Deimos; and 1:10,000,000 for all other bodies.

Batson, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1991

A new catalog of planetary maps

A single, concise reference to all existing planetary maps, including lunar ones, is being prepared that will allow map users to identify and locate maps of their areas of interest. This will be the first such comprehensive listing of planetary maps. Although the USGS shows index maps on the collar of each map sheet, periodically publishes index maps of Mars, and provides informal listings of the USGS map database, no tabulation exists that identifies all planetary maps, including those published by DMA and other organizations. The catalog will consist of a booklet containing small-scale image maps with superimposed quadrangle boundaries and map data tabulations.

Batson, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Applied photo interpretation for airbrush cartography

New techniques of cartographic portrayal have been developed for the compilation of maps of lunar and planetary surfaces. Conventional photo interpretation methods utilizing size, shape, shadow, tone, pattern, and texture are applied to computer processed satellite television images. The variety of the image data allows the illustrator to interpret image details by inter-comparison and intra-comparison of photographs. Comparative judgements are affected by illumination, resolution, variations in surface coloration, and transmission or processing artifacts. The validity of the interpretation process is tested by making a representational drawing by an airbrush portrayal technique. Production controls insure the consistency of a map series. Photo interpretive cartographic portrayal skills are used to prepare two kinds of map series and are adaptable to map products of different kinds and purposes.

Inge, J. L.↗

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 NTRS1976

Applied photo interpretation for airbrush cartography

Lunar and planetary exploration has required the development of new techniques of cartographic portrayal. Conventional photo-interpretive methods employing size, shape, shadow, tone, pattern, and texture are applied to computer-processed satellite television images. Comparative judgements are affected by illumination, resolution, variations in surface coloration, and transmission or processing artifacts. The portrayal of tonal densities in a relief illustration is performed using a unique airbrush technique derived from hill-shading of contour maps. The control of tone and line quality is essential because the mid-gray to dark tone densities must be finalized prior to the addition of highlights to the drawing. This is done with an electric eraser until the drawing is completed. The drawing density is controlled with a reflectance-reading densitometer to meet certain density guidelines. The versatility of planetary photo-interpretive methods for airbrushed map portrayals is demonstrated by the application of these techniques to the synthesis of nonrelief data.

Inge, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Short-term Jovian rotation profiles, 1970-1972.

Results of a study of the motions of features in Jupiter's atmosphere noted on blue-light photographs from three 25-day periods centered on opposition in 1970, 1971, and 1972. Short-term rotation profiles for these years are obtained which, at certain latitudes, differ significantly from a mean multiple-year profile and from each other. In particular, it is found that in 1970 and 1971 the rotational period was slightly shorter near the edges of the equatorial jet than at its center, while in 1972 it was not. This center-to-edge shear of 1970 and 1971 amounted to about 10 m/sec. In addition, a feature observed in 1972 at 37 N was found to exhibit an abrupt change in period amounting to an increase of 95.1 sec.

Inge, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1973

A comparison of Martian albedo features with topography.

Martian albedo features photographed from the earth are compared with the topography observed by Mariner 9. Three Lambert azimuthal equal-area charts prepared to facilitate the comparison are presented. No correlation between large-scale albedos and topography can be generalized, but several different kinds of relationships seem to be indicated in particular regions. Examples of these are discussed.

Inge, J. L.↗