Abstract
From photogrammetric analysis of stereo images of Mercury obtained during three MESSENGER flybys, we have produced three digital terrain models (DTMs) that have a grid spacing of 1 km and together cover 30% of the planets surface. The terrain models provide a rich source of information on the morphology of Mercurys surface, including details of tectonic scarp systems as well as impact craters and basins. More than 400 craters larger than 15 km in diameter are included in the models. Additionally, the models provide important test cases for the analysis of stereo image data to be collected during MESSENGERs orbital mission phase. Small lateral offsets and differences in trends between stereo DTMs and laser altimeter profiles may be due to remaining errors in spacecraft position, instrument pointing, or Mercury coordinate knowledge. Such errors should be resolved during the orbital mission phase, when more joint analyses of data and detailed orbit modeling will be possible.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1910-1917 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Planetary and Space Science |
Volume | 59 |
Issue number | 15 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2011 |
Keywords
- Digital terrain models
- MESSENGER
- Mercury
- Topography
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science