Abstract
Historically, topographic profiles provided a quantitative means to investigate the morphology and formation processes for impact craters, although no generic mathematical framework was developed to reduce profiles to morphology descriptors. Only need-specific polynomial expressions were utilized in previous studies, thus no standardized automated comparison of craters exists. We employ a Chebyshev polynomial function approximation to describe crater forms in a quantitative and repeatable manner. We show that the Chebyshev polynomials return coefficients that are relatable to crater morphologic characteristics, thus providing a standardized mathematical means for describing crater forms.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 114-129 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Icarus |
Volume | 241 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2014 |
Keywords
- Cratering
- Data reduction techniques
- Image processing
- Impact processes
- Moon
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science