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Sedimentology of Martian Gravels from Mardi Twilight Imaging: TechniquesQuantitative sedimentologic analysis of gravel surfaces dominated by pebble-sized clasts has been employed in an effort to untangle aspects of the provenance of surface sediments on Mars using Curiosity's MARDI nadir-viewing camera operated at twilight Images have been systematically acquired since sol 310 providing a representative sample of gravel-covered surfaces since the rover departed the Shaler region. The MARDI Twilight imaging dataset offers approximately 1 millimeter spatial resolution (slightly out of focus) for patches beneath the rover that cover just under 1 m2 in area, under illumination that makes clast size and inter-clast spacing analysis relatively straightforward using semi- automated codes developed for use with nadir images. Twilight images are utilized for these analyses in order to reduce light scattering off dust deposited on the front MARDI lens element during the terminal stages of Curiosity's entry, descent and landing. Such scattering is worse when imaging bright, directly-illuminated surfaces; twilight imaging times yield diffusely-illuminated surfaces that improve the clarity of the resulting MARDI product. Twilight images are obtained between 10-30 minutes after local sunset, governed by the timing of the end of the no-heat window for the camera. Techniques were also utilized to examine data terrestrial locations (the Kau Desert in Hawaii and near Askja Caldera in Iceland). Methods employed include log hyperbolic size distribution (LHD) analysis and Delauney Triangulation (DT) inter-clast spacing analysis. This work extends the initial results reported in Yingst et al., that covered the initial landing zone, to the Rapid-Transit Route (RTR) towards Mount Sharp.
Document ID
20150001290
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Garvin, James B.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Malin, Michael C.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Minitti, M. E.
(Planetary Science Inst. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
February 3, 2015
Publication Date
March 17, 2014
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN13878
Meeting Information
Meeting: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC)
Location: The Woodlands, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: March 17, 2014
End Date: March 21, 2014
Sponsors: Universities Space Research Association
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 365382.04.03
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
sedimentologic
illumination
twilight
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