Classification of Venus Surficial Units Using Magellan Data
Abstract
Interpretation of the nature of the geologic materials exposed on the surface of Venus requires analysis of the multiple radar and emission data sets acquired by the Magellan spacecraft. Three separate experiments carried out by Magellan provide these data: SAR, radiothermal emission, and altimetry. The SAR images provide details of the morphology and setting of surface features, as well as quantitative measurements of radar backscatter, which is controlled primarily by wavelength-scale surface roughness. Emissivity, to first order, is controlled by the dielectric constant of the upper surface, with a secondary influence from surface roughness. The altimetry experiment provided estimates of surface Fresnel reflectivity, which was observed to closely track the unit complement of emissivity, and of meter-to-decameter rms slopes, based on a model of quasi-specular radar scattering.
- Publication:
-
Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
- Pub Date:
- March 1997
- Bibcode:
- 1997LPI....28.1117P
- Keywords:
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- Venus Surface;
- Planetary Geology;
- Magellan Spacecraft (Nasa);
- Satellite Imagery;
- Image Classification;
- Synthetic Aperture Radar;
- Radar Imagery;
- Backscattering;
- Lava;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration;
- RADAR