Related Experiment Videos
Some photometric techniques for atmosphereless solar system bodies.
K Lumme1, J Peltoniemi, W M Irvine
1Observatory and Astrophysics Laboratory, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Accurate photometric techniques and a new scattering model are crucial for analyzing atmosphereless bodies. This study demonstrates their importance for deriving surface topography, using Mercury as a case study.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Photometry
- Remote Sensing
Background:
- Photometric techniques are essential for analyzing surface properties of celestial bodies.
- Understanding light scattering is critical for interpreting photometric data.
- Previous models may not fully capture the complexities of light interaction with surfaces of atmosphereless bodies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss various photometric techniques and their absolute scales.
- To introduce a novel scattering model for atmosphereless solar system bodies.
- To evaluate the model's applicability using Mariner 10 data of Mercury.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing photometric techniques and their absolute scales.
- Development and application of a new scattering model.
- Fitting the model to surface photometry data of Mercury obtained from Mariner 10.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of how different photometric techniques yield varying levels of information.
- Successful application of the new scattering model to Mercury's surface photometry.
- Quantification of the impact of scattering laws on topographic derivations via photoclinometry.
Conclusions:
- The choice of photometric technique and its absolute scale significantly influences data interpretation.
- The proposed scattering model provides a better fit for atmosphereless body surfaces.
- Accurate scattering laws are indispensable for reliable topographic mapping using photoclinometry.