Planetary Image Interpretation and Mapping
Introduction
The purpose of this module is to introduce concepts of planetary image interpretation which are the foundation of our current understanding of planetary geology and surface processes.
HERE is an example of what we will be doing (Word document).
HERE is another example (Powerpoint document).
The following images are examples of what we will be doing. I will work through one, and then we will look at others together.
An image is provided for you on paper, in a low contrast version for mapping and a high contrast version for interpretation. It's also linked to here:
This is a Mars Odyssey THEMIS infrared image mosaic of an area of Mars at 13 degrees south, 215 degrees east. Cratered highlands to the west are part of Terra Sirenum, and the plains to the west are Daedalia Planum. The image is about 600 km across (long dimension).
Your assignment: make a geological map from the image, identifying a reasonable number of different types of material. Give them names, descriptions and interpretations in table format. Arrange in chronological order and give a verbal description of the history of the area. You can give unofficial placenames or letters or numbers to individual features if it makes your description clearer.
Links to Resources
USGS restored Lunar Orbiter images
Lunar Orbiter images at Arizona State University
Apollo images at Arizona State University
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter images at Arizona State University
Mars images from several missions.
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter images
Mars Global Surveyor MOC images)
Cassini - moons of Saturn - press releases
Hayabusa images of asteroid 25143 Itokawa
Dawn mission images of asteroid 4 Vesta
Map-A-Planet... make your own custom maps
Many more links - from another of my courses
