Determination of Spatial Scale in Martian Landscape Images Acquired by the Curiosity Rover, and Viewing Image Scale and Target Chemistry Using the ASIC Website

Abstract

<title xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML">Abstract</title><p xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xml:lang="en">In this paper we describe a method to compute spatial scales for images acquired by NASA's Mars Curiosity rover (Mars Science Laboratory, MSL). The method is based on the assumption that the rover stands on an infinite plane that may have any orientation with respect to the local gravity vector. While not new, it is the first time that this method is systematically applied to Martian images acquired by a lander. A continuously run software pipeline processes the images acquired by the rover within a 20 m radius, adds approximate scalebars to the raw images, and generates, whenever possible, rectified (warped) versions of those images. The products of this software pipeline and the chemical compositions of relevant rover science targets from NASA's Planetary Data System archive, are made available to the public via the Approximate Scale for Images and Chemistry website, which has been developed in collaboration with the Planetary Data System Analyst's Notebook for the MSL mission. Hyperlinks connect the two resources.</p>

Plain Language Summary: We developed a software pipeline that calculates the spatial scale of images acquired by NASA's Mars Curiosity rover. The software pipeline is linked to a new website: the Approximate Scale for Images and Chemistry, in which the scalebar products are paired with information about the shape, size, color, and chemical composition of the imaged site, obtained by the rover suite of instruments. The images mimic the vantage point of human eyes and are therefore well‐suited to inspire field geologists (including those mainly working on Earth) to interpret Martian geologic features.</p>

Key Points: A systematic method to generate approximate scalebars for obliquely acquired Martian landscape images was developed. A newly created Approximate Scale for Images and Chemistry (ASIC) website links images, color, spatial scale, and chemistry, as returned by NASA's Curiosity rover in Gale crater. The ASIC website is complementary and strongly linked to the Analyst's Notebook, the data resource for Martian/lunar landed missions.