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Pinacate-gran Desierto Region, Mexico: SIR-A Data AnalysisRadar images (SIR-A) from the Columbia space shuttle were used to assess the radar returns of terrain shaped by volcanic, aeolian, and fluvial processes in northwest Sonora. Field studies and photointerpretation show that sand dunes are poorly imaged by SIR-A, in contrast to SEASAT, evidently a consequence of the greater SIR-A incidence angle; star dunes are visible only as small bright spots representing merging arms at dune apices which may act as corner reflectors. Desert grasses and bushes (approx. 2 m high) have little effect on radar brightness. Only larger trees with woody trunks approx. 0.5 m across are effective radar reflectors; their presence contributes to radar bright zones along some arroyos. The radar brightness of lava flows decreases with surface roughness and presence of mantling windblown sediments and weathering products; however, old uplifted (faulted) flows are of equal brightness to fresh, unmantled aa flows. Maar craters display circular patterns of varying radar brightness which represent a combination of geometry, slope, and distribution of surface materials. Some radar bright rings in the Pinacates resemble craters on radar but are observed to be playas encircled by trees.
Document ID
19840015458
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Christensen, P.
(Arizona State Univ. Tempe, AZ, United States)
Greeley, R.
(Arizona State Univ. Tempe, AZ, United States)
Mchone, J.
(Arizona State Univ. Tempe, AZ, United States)
Asmerom, Y.
(Arizona State Univ. Tempe, AZ, United States)
Barnett, S.
(Arizona State Univ. Tempe, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Washington Rept. of Planetary Geology Program, 1983
Subject Category
Earth Resources And Remote Sensing
Accession Number
84N23526
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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