Atmospheric Optical Depths from HRSC Stereo Images of Mars
Abstract
In January 2004 DLR's High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) onboard the Mars Express orbiter began its primary mission of mapping Mars in high resolution and in stereo. Studies of the Martian surface that need atmospheric correction need the optical depth of the atmosphere as a primary input, as do most studies of the atmosphere itself. We present first results of estimates of Martian atmospheric optical depths as retrieved from HRSC images. The data analyzed to date of submission of this abstract shows in most places a very dusty atmosphere with typical values of optical depth of about unity. There are however large global differences with optical depth being only about 0.1 for example north of Olympus Mons. We will present latitude-longitude as well as spectral dependance of the optical depth as retrieved from the images. Two methods were used for these retrievals. The first one uses the intensity differences between shadowed and sunlit regions. The second analyzes contrast differences between the images within stereo triplets of the HRSC.
- Publication:
-
35th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004cosp...35.3752M