Geologic analyses of selected Apollo 10 7 mm lunar and terrestrial photographs
Geologic analysis of Apollo 10 lunar and terrestrial photographs
Blodget, H. W.↗
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Ranger photographs of the moon
Lunar surface fine structure and geological analysis from ranger 7, 8 and 9 photographs
Trask, N. J.↗
Orbital science photography. Part B - Preliminary geologic results from orbital photography
Geologic analysis of lunar surface using photographs from 70-mm Hasselblad camera
Lucchitta, B. K.↗
Pseudo radar
Pseudo radar imagery by high contrast aerial photography at low sun angles for aiding geological analysis
Campbell, R., Jr.↗
Facilitating the exploitation of ERTS-1 imagery utilizing snow enhancement techniques
The author has identified the following significant results. Snow cover in combination with low angle solar illumination has been found to provide increased tonal contrast of surface feature and is useful in the detection of bedrock fractures. Identical fracture systems were not as readily detectable in the fall due to the lack of a contrasting surface medium (snow) and a relatively high sun angle. Low angle solar illumination emphasizes topographic expressions not as apparent on imagery acquired with a higher sun angle. A strong correlation exists between the major fracture-lineament directions interpreted from multi-sensor imagery (including snow-free and snow cover ERTS) and the strike of bedrock joints recorded in the field indicating the structural origin of interpreted fracture-lineaments. A fracture-annotated ERTS-1 photo base map (1:250,000 scale) is being prepared for western Massachusetts. The map will document the utilization of ERTS-1 imagery for geological analysis in comparative snow-free and snow-covered terrain.
Wobber, F. J.↗
A geological investigation of the Taurus-Littrow Valley
The geological characteristics of the Taurus-Littrow region in the mountainous southeastern ring of the great plain of the Mare Serenitatis are presented. The major geologically defined units within the valley and the mountains surrounding it were examined during the Apollo 17 mission. The data obtained during the geological analysis are presented. Photographs of the significant formations are included. The specific nature of the rock formations and the stratigraphy of the area are discussed.
Schmitt, H. H.↗
Visual enhancement of images of natural resources: Applications in geology
The principal components technique for use in multispectral scanner LANDSAT data processing results in optimum dimensionality reduction. A powerful tool for MSS IMAGE enhancement, the method provides a maximum impression of terrain ruggedness; this fact makes the technique well suited for geological analysis.
Dejesusparada, N.↗
Use of imaging radar for geology and archeology
Imaging radar is shown to be a useful sensor for geological analysis as a standal one sensor in clouded regions or as a complementary data source with visible NIR systems. Radar image tone is a function of the radar system parameters (imaging geometry, frequency, polarization) and a function of the target (local slope, electrical properties, and surface roughness). Substantial topographic texture enhancement can be achieved for large scale features by using specular returns associated with steep-incidence radars or shadows associated with grazing-incidence systems. Texture enhancement also allows radar to image lineaments and archeological features, such as canals and causeways. Future multispectral radars may achieve better discrimination of subresolution structures. Seasat radar images of several geographic locations are provided.
Daily, M.↗
On the geodetic stability of the Goddard Optical Research Facility
Seismic observations of earthquakes and blasts, geologic analysis of Landsat images, and a search of the historical record was examined. However, no evidence for tectonic motion was found. Some faulting is present in the area but no evidence of seismic activity was found. No elastic resonances in the range from 0.3 to 15 Hz were found. It is concluded that, except for ground water induced changes, the facility is stable at least to the 0.5 cm level.
Webster, W. J., Jr.↗
Volcanism in Elysium Planitia, Mars
Geomorphic mapping revealed that the three volcanic constructs within Elysium Planitia (Hecates Tholus, elysium Mons and Albor Tholus) are very different in their overall morphology and represent three distinct types of martian volcano. Hecates Tholus was found to possess the most likely possible example of a young, explosively generated, air fall deposit, while the volume of magma erupted from Elysium Mons appears to have been orders of magnitude larger than that erupted from Albor Tholus. A primary aim of the regional geological analysis of Elysium Planitia is to further understand the volcanic and tectonic evolution of the area by the identification and interpretation of individual lava flows and their source vents. Lava flow size, spatial distribution, flow direction and the stratigraphic relationships of these lava flows to adjacent structural features were all measured. The topographic form of Elysium Mons has totally controlled the flow direction of lava flows within Elysium Planitia. Lava flows from Elysium Mons can be traced for distances of 150 to 250 km in a radial direction from the volcano. Parasitic vents located beyond the recognizable volcanic construct also conform to this radial pattern. A second unusual characteristic of the Elysium Planitia region is the high frequency of occurrence of sinuous channels that are morphologically similar to lunar sinuous rilles.
Mouginis-Mark, P. J.↗
Binning of satellite magnetic anomalies
Crustal magnetic anomaly signals over satellite orbits were simulated to investigate numerical averaging as an anomaly estimator. Averaging as an anomaly estimator involves significant problems concerning spatial and amplitude smoothing of the satellite magnetic observations. The results of simulations suggest that the error of numerical averaging constitutes a small and relatively minor component of the total error-budget of higher orbital anomaly estimates, whereas for lower orbital estimates numerical averaging error increases substantially. As an alternative to numerical averaging, least-squares collocation was investigated and observed to produce substantially more accurate anomaly estimates, particularly as the orbital elevation of prediction was decreased towards the crustal sources. In contrast to averaging, collocation is a significantly more resource-intensive procedure to apply because of the practical, but surmountable problems related to establishing and inverting the covariance matrix for accurate anomaly prediction. However, collocation may be much more effectively used to exploit the anomaly details contained in the lower orbital satellite magnetic data for geologic analysis.
Goyal, H. K.↗
Continental and oceanic magnetic anomalies: Enhancement through GRM
In contrast to the POGO and MAGSAT satellites, the Geopotential Research Mission (GRM) satellite system will orbit at a minimum elevation to provide significantly better resolved lithospheric magnetic anomalies for more detailed and improved geologic analysis. In addition, GRM will measure corresponding gravity anomalies to enhance our understanding of the gravity field for vast regions of the Earth which are largely inaccessible to more conventional surface mapping. Crustal studies will greatly benefit from the dual data sets as modeling has shown that lithospheric sources of long-wavelength magnetic anomalies frequently involve density variations which may produce detectable gravity anomalies at satellite elevations. Furthermore, GRM will provide an important replication of lithospheric magnetic anomalies as an aid to identifying and extracting these anomalies from satellite magnetic measurements. The potential benefits to the study of the origin and characterization of the continents and oceans, that may result from the increased GRM resolution are examined.
Vonfrese, R. R. B.↗
Venus global radar reflectivity and correlations with elevation
A geological analysis of the global radar reflectivity data for Venus is presented. The statistical and map pattern distribution of the radar reflectivity rho is first analyzed in the context of the porosity structure of the surface. Rho is then correlated with elevation in order to examine the degree of topographic control on material properties which could depend on PT-sensitive chemical weathering phenomena. Comparison of the rms slope alpha and rho correlations with elevation demonstrates that there are distinct topographic zones defined on the basis of the rho and alpha trends. Finally, hierarchical clustering analysis is applied to the global rho, alpha, and 100-km baseline regional slope data sets in order to define radar property-related subregions.
Garvin, J. B.↗
Continental and oceanic magnetic anomalies: Enhancement through GRM
In contrast to the POGO and MAGSAT satellites, the Geopotential Research Mission (GRM) satellite system will orbit at a minimum elevation to provide significantly better resolved lithospheric magnetic anomalies for more detailed and improved geologic analysis. In addition, GRM will measure corresponding gravity anomalies to enhance our understanding of the gravity field for vast regions of the Earth which are largely inaccessible to more conventional surface mapping. Crustal studies will greatly benefit from the dual data sets as modeling has shown that lithospheric sources of long wavelength magnetic anomalies frequently involve density variations which may produce detectable gravity anomalies at satellite elevations. Furthermore, GRM will provide an important replication of lithospheric magnetic anomalies as an aid to identifying and extracting these anomalies from satellite magnetic measurements. The potential benefits to the study of the origin and characterization of the continents and oceans, that may result from the increased GRM resolution are examined.
Vonfrese, R. R. B.↗
Preliminary analyses of SIB-B radar data for recent Hawaii lava flows
The Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-B) experiment acquired two L-band (23 cm wavelength) radar images (at about 28 and 48 deg incidence angles) over the Kilauea Volcano area of southeastern Hawaii. Geologic analysis of these data indicates that, although aa lava flows and pyroclastic deposits can be discriminated, pahoehoe lava flows are not readily distinguished from surrounding low return materials. Preliminary analysis of data extracted from isolated flows indicates that flow type (i.e., aa or pahoehoe) and relative age can be determined from their basic statistics and illumination angle.
Kaupp, V. H.↗
Radar observations of the inner solar system
Concurrent objectives involve dynamical information: maintenance of Mars ephemeris accuracy, Mercury closure-point ranging for relativity theory testing, and refinement of spin-vector estimates for Venus and Mercury. This task has been renamed to reflect accurately the research it supports. The backlog of unprocessed Venus data has been sharply reduced; most images from the 1980 to 1982 conjunctions, and half of those from 1986, are essentially finished. Suitably formatted data have been distributed to (non-JPL) scientific collaborators for geologic analysis, and to the Magellan project.
Jurgens, Raymond F.↗
Methods and decision making on a Mars rover for identification of fossils
A system for automated fusion and interpretation of image data from multiple sensors, including multispectral data from an imaging spectrometer is being developed. Classical artificial intelligence techniques and artificial neural networks are employed to make real time decision based on current input and known scientific goals. Emphasis is placed on identifying minerals which could indicate past life activity or an environment supportive of life. Multispectral data can be used for geological analysis because different minerals have characteristic spectral reflectance in the visible and near infrared range. Classification of each spectrum into a broad class, based on overall spectral shape and locations of absorption bands is possible in real time using artificial neural networks. The goal of the system is twofold: multisensor and multispectral data must be interpreted in real time so that potentially interesting sites can be flagged and investigated in more detail while the rover is near those sites; and the sensed data must be reduced to the most compact form possible without loss of crucial information. Autonomous decision making will allow a rover to achieve maximum scientific benefit from a mission. Both a classical rule based approach and a decision neural network for making real time choices are being considered. Neural nets may work well for adaptive decision making. A neural net can be trained to work in two steps. First, the actual input state is mapped to the closest of a number of memorized states. After weighing the importance of various input parameters, the net produces an output decision based on the matched memory state. Real time, autonomous image data analysis and decision making capabilities are required for achieving maximum scientific benefit from a rover mission. The system under development will enhance the chances of identifying fossils or environments capable of supporting life on Mars
Eberlein, Susan↗
Lunar mare volcanism - Stratigraphy, eruption conditions, and the evolution of secondary crusts
Recent developments in the geological analysis of lunar mare volcanism are reviewed. Analysis of returned samples and photogeological and remote sensing studies shows that mare volcanism began prior to the end of heavy bombardment (the period of cryptomare formation), in pre-Nectarian times, and continued until the Copernical Period, the total duration approaching 3.5-4 Ga. Stratigraphic analysis shows that the flux was not constant, but peaked in early lunar history, during the Imbrian Period. Average volcanic output rate during this period was about 0.01 cu cm/a. Volcanic landforms indicate that many eruptions were of high volume and long duration. Some eruptions associated with sinuous rills may have lasted a year and emplaced 1000 cu km of lava, representing the equivalent in one year of about 70,000 yr at the average flux. The occurrence of farside maria within craters whose diameter is generally near to or less than the thickness of the crust may be accounted for by the difference between local and regional compensation.
Head, James W., III↗