CARTOGRAPHIC METHOD OF THE RESEARCH AND INTERPRETATION OF THE SPACE IMAGES OF THE TERRESTRIAL PLANETS

S. Pugacheva

Moscow State University, Russia

pugach@sai.msu.ru

 

This paper presents the results of the photometric study of the structure of the surface layer of regolith in different regions of the Mercury, Venus, Mars and Moon. The elemental mapping of the photometric parameters of the separate areas of the surface is very useful method for study of morphology and origin of the multi-ringed basins. The maps of the structure of the surface are constructed for areas of the localized by the impact from data acquired by space mission the “Clementine”, “Lunar Prospector”, “Mariner 10”, “Mars Express”, “Magellan” and others. The best space images of the high resolution are used as the basic material for investigation. The different types of morphological formations of the surface of the planets are allocated and the main morphological parameters are determined. The cartographic method described in this paper and results of investigations of the planet’s surface show that the structure of the surface of the planets and the Moon’s surface is similar. The main elements of the relief of the planets are craters and multi-ringed basins. A cartographic method is used to analyze properties of the system of concentric depressions inside the ring structures. The basin South Pole – Aitken is represented as a geophysical, compositionally, and topographically unique lunar formation. In the paper are used some digital models to obtain preliminary estimates of the structure and characteristics of the regolith of the planets from experimental results. The technique employed is similar to that conventionally for investigation of the lunar structure. The digital models of the multiple scattering of light are considered and optical, physical and geological properties of the natural regolith of the surface layer of the Moon and Mercury are estimated. The present work allows to study optical characteristics of surface and to determine texture roughness and material composition of the ejecta of the planet terrains in the submillimetric and centimetric range. According to these results, there may be a possibility to describe the real case of natural regolith surface, and to investigate specific anomalous of the local KREEP assimilation.