Computer Science
Scientific paper
Apr 1991
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1991sci...252..260p&link_type=abstract
Science (ISSN 0036-8075), vol. 252, April 12, 1991, p. 260-265.
Computer Science
76
Magellan Project (Nasa), Planetary Mapping, Radar Maps, Radar Resolution, Venus Orbiting Imaging Radar (Spacecraft), Infrared Radiometers, Synthetic Aperture Radar, Venus Radar Echoes
Scientific paper
The Magellan Venus orbiter carries only one scientific instrument: a 12.6-centimeter-wavelength radar system shared among three data-taking modes. The synthetic-aperture mode images radar echoes from the Venus surface at a resolution of between 120 and 300 meters, depending on spacecraft altitude. In the altimetric mode, relative height measurement accuracies may approach 5 meters, depending on the terrain's roughness, although orbital uncertainties place a floor of about 50 meters on the absolute uncertainty. In areas of extremely rough topography, accuracy is limited by the inherent line-of-sight radar resolution of about 88 meters. The maximum elevation observed to date, corresponding to a planetary radius of 6062 kilometers, lies within Maxwell Mons. When used as a thermal emission radiometer, the system can determine surface emissivities to an absolute accuracy of about 0.02. Mosaicked and archival digital data products will be released in compact disk (CDROM) format.
Ford Peter G.
Johnson William T. K.
Pettengill Gordon H.
Raney Keith R.
Soderblom Laurence A.
No associations
LandOfFree
Magellan - Radar performance and data products does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Magellan - Radar performance and data products, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Magellan - Radar performance and data products will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1794438