Photogrammetric analysis of horizon panoramas: The Pathfinder landing site in Viking orbiter images

Journal of Geophysical Research E: Planets
By: , and 

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Abstract

Tiepoint measurements, block adjustment techniques, and sunrise/sunset pictures were used to obtain precise pointing data with respect to north for a set of 33 IMP horizon images. Azimuth angles for five prominent topographic features seen at the horizon were measured and correlated with locations of these features in Viking orbiter images. Based on this analysis, the Pathfinder line/sample coordinates in two raw Viking images were determined with approximate errors of 1 pixel, or 40 m. Identification of the Pathfinder location in orbit imagery yields geological context for surface studies of the landing site. Furthermore, the precise determination of coordinates in images together with the known planet-fixed coordinates of the lander make the Pathfinder landing site the most important anchor point in current control point networks of Mars.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Photogrammetric analysis of horizon panoramas: The Pathfinder landing site in Viking orbiter images
Series title Journal of Geophysical Research E: Planets
DOI 10.1029/98JE01429
Volume 104
Issue E4
Year Published 1999
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Description 7 p.
First page 8927
Last page 8933
Other Geospatial Mars
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