HR: 0800h
AN: P41B-0934    [Abstracts]
TI: Topographic and Remote Sensing Analysis of Explosion Craters In the Nevada Test Site: Application to Mars Hazards
AU: Hurtado, J M
EM: hurtado@geo.utep.edu
AF: University of Texas at El Paso, UTEP Geology 500 W. University Blvd., El Paso, TX 79902 United States
AU: * Chee, Y
EM: ychee@utep.edu
AF: University of Texas at El Paso, UTEP Geology 500 W. University Blvd., El Paso, TX 79902 United States
AU: Farr, T G
EM: tom.farr@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA JPL, Pasadena, CA 91109 United States
AB: ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) data were acquired for Nevada Test Site (NTS) to be used in the study of cratering processes and for a study of geomorphic hazards in a Mars analog setting. Data from two different times of year (June, 1999 and September, 2001) were analyzed to determine the characteristics of ejecta materials around craters. Thermal infrared imagery and derived kinetic temperature images were used to map the temperature differential between the two dates for a variety of surfaces associated with three NTS craters. Assuming that thermal inertia is greater in rocky areas than in areas with loose material like sediment or dust, temperature differences can indicate the presence of rocky or dirty areas around the craters. Maps of inferred thermal inertia were produced to show the distribution and morphology of fine-grained ejecta. Because dusty areas could pose a mobility hazard to landers, and rocky areas an impact hazard for landers, this study in the NTS can yield useful analog information for Mars mission precursor studies.
DE: 5420 Impact phenomena, cratering (6022, 8136)
DE: 5464 Remote sensing
DE: 5470 Surface materials and properties
DE: 5494 Instruments and techniques
SC: Planetary Sciences [P]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005