NASA Mars Odyssey THEMIS Image: Candor Chasma 05-13-2005
Image Context: Context image credit: NASA/Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) Team [ Find on map: Javascript version ] [ Find on map: CGI version ]
The THEMIS VIS camera is capable of capturing color images of the Martian surface using five different color filters. In this mode of operation, the spatial resolution and coverage of the image must be reduced to accommodate the additional data volume produced from using multiple filters. To make a color image, three of the five filter images (each in grayscale) are selected. Each is contrast enhanced and then converted to a red, green, or blue intensity image. These three images are then combined to produce a full color, single image. Because the THEMIS color filters don’t span the full range of colors seen by the human eye, a color THEMIS image does not represent true color. Also, because each single-filter image is contrast enhanced before inclusion in the three-color image, the apparent color variation of the scene is exaggerated. Nevertheless, the color variation that does appear is representative of some change in color, however subtle, in the actual scene. Note that the long edges of THEMIS color images typically contain color artifacts that do not represent surface variation. This false color image shows part of the floor of Candor Chasma in central Valles Marineris. This image was collected during Southern Fall. [Source: ASU THEMIS Science Team] Note: this THEMIS visual image has not been radiometrically nor geometrically calibrated for this preliminary release. An empirical correction has been performed to remove instrumental effects. A linear shift has been applied in the cross-track and down-track direction to approximate spacecraft and planetary motion. Fully calibrated and geometrically projected images will be released through the Planetary Data System in accordance with Project policies at a later time.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Arizona State University | ||||||||||||||||||||
[ Show Full-Size Image (GIF) ] [ Show Full-Size Image (JPG) ] | ||||||||||||||||||||
[ Show Full-Size Image (PNG) ] [ Show Full-Size Image (TIF) ] | ||||||||||||||||||||
[ Printer-friendly version ] |