Geological Society of America

12 New Developments in the Geology and Geochemistry of Mars (Posters)

Tuesday, 23 May 2017
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Room 323A/B/C

MATCHING MARS CURIOSITY ROVER PICTURES WITH HIRISE ORBITAL IMAGERY TO EXAMINE THE PEACE VALLIS FAN

Paper number: 12-5
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Authors

Niky Taylor Presenting Author
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Jason Van Beek
Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, CA
Fred Calef
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
L. Scuderi
Univ of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Horton Newsom
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Marisa Palucis
UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Roger C. Wiens
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Stephane Le Mouelic
Université de Nantes, Nantes
Olivier Gasnault
IRAP (Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie), Toulouse
Karen Deleewerk
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Scott K. Rowland
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI

Abstract

One of the primary functions of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity Rover is to observe and take images of the Martian landscape. Understanding the context of these images in relation to orbital data is vital for constructing a comprehensive view of the Martian landscape and recognizing the importance of various geologic features. The purpose of this study is to reconcile the inherent disconnect between ground and orbital perspectives. Using the orbital High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), as well as Curiosity’s ChemCam Remote MicroImager (RMI) and MastCam images, we are developing a dataset of matched imagery to provide contextual viewing of distant targets visible from the rover. RMI and MastCam images of the Peace Vallis Alluvial Fan area were projected onto HiRISE imagery to display regions imaged both from above and at ground level. Using this imagery, we are able to identify multiple rock layers present in various features of the Peace Vallis Landscape and facilitate interpretation of the nature and origin of the fan. The orbital images allow for the identification of contiguous layers visible in the higher resolution rover images for quantification of their thickness and extent.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 4

doi: 10.1130/abs/2017CD-292738

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