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Intrepretation of surface features and surface processes on Mars

Eolian erosion and deposition on earth was studied in order to interpret the eolian land forms of Mars. Emphasis of the wind tunnel studies was on the flow field around models of eolian forms. Areas of the wind tunnel studies include: simulation of the atmospheric boundary layer; velocity profile measurements around different models in the desert boundary layer, and estimating shear stress distributions on the model surfaces; flow visualization techniques; streamline mapping using tuft photographs; and roughness contrasts.

Gad-El-hak, M.

(abstract) Asteroid 4769 Casalia: Intrepretation of Optical Lightcurves Using a Radar-Derived Shape Model

A 167-parameter, 3-D shape model of Castalia, obtained from inversion of delay-Doppler images, constrained the object's subradar latitude on the date of the observations by defining an annular sky region that contains Castalia's pole. We have used the shape model and nominal Hapke parameters for S asteroids to model Castalia lightcurves obtained at Table Mountain Observatory on August 23-25, 1989, at solar phase angles ranging from 58(deg) to 90(deg). This investigation defines the projected pole's azimuthal orientation around the radar line of sight and therefore yields a least-squares estimate of the orientation of Castalia's north or south pole; there is insufficient geometric leverage to distinguish the rotation sense or to estimate values of Hapke parameters. The model lightcurves match the TMO data surprisingly well, given the modest number of shape parameters in the model and the fact that part of the asteroid was not seen by the radar.

asteroid Castalia shape radar 3-D model optical li

Speculations on nature and extent of Archean basement in Labrador as indicated by SR, ND and PB isotopic systematics of proterozoic intrusives

The Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotopic compositions of mid to late Proterozoic (approximately 1.6 to 1.1 Ga) massif-type anorthosites and mafic intrusives in the eastern Canadian shield are correlated with geographic location. Complexes in the Grenville province have positive epsilon sub Nd values and initial Sr-87/Sr-86 (I sub Sr) generally less than 0.703, suggesting derivation from depleted mantle. In Labrador, similar complexes close to or northwest of a line roughly corresponding to the Grenville Front have negative epsilon sub Nd values and I sub Sr 0.703. This contrast was intrepreted as reflecting either enriched mantle under the Nain Province, or contamination of the Nain intrusives with older crustal components. Lead isotopic compositions, however, favor the latter. The possibility of using these Proterozoic intrusives as tracers to characterize the nature and extent of older basement types in Labrador is discussed.

Ashwal, L. D.

Mars: Spectral signatures seen and unseen

Intrepretation of Mars surface reflectance spectra and geochemical modeling of the surface material are different approaches to the same problem (determining the compositional nature and evolution of the surface of Mars). The degree to which these two approaches agree is studied. This study involves: current understanding of the reflectance of Mars, and reflectance spectra of proposed Mars constituents.

Blaney, Diana L.

Interstellar lines in the spectrum of supernova 1987a

The primary interest was to analyze the interstellar lines produced by gases along the line of sight which resides in the galactic plane and halo, as well as material in the Large Magellanic Cloud or the immediate environment of the supernovae. The ionization and fine-structure excitation of assorted atoms were intrepreted. The goal was to learn more about conditions in various regions of space and identify the probable origins for some velocity components whose locations were uncertain.

Jenkins, Edward B.

Photoclinometric analysis of wrinkle ridges on Lunae Planum, Mars

Wrinkle ridges are common morphologic features on Mars. Both volcanic and tectonic mechanisms were suggested to explain their origin; recent work has focused on a compressional origin. Analysis of terrestrial analogs has greatly influenced and aided the understanding of wrinkle ridge formation. An important aspect necessary to intrepret structure is topography. Topographic profiles across ridges can provide important constraints for models of internal structure and analyzing deformation associated with ridges. Topographic maps of Mars are too coarse to resolve the topography of individual ridges; therefore, monoscopic photoclinometry was used to derive topographic profiles for the ridges. Profiles spaced a few kilometers apart were obtained for each ridge, the number depended on ridge length, morphology, and albedo variation. Photoclinometry relies on pixel brightness variations which results from topography, albedo, or both. Because of the albedo variations, photoclimometric profiles can not be extended across large distances, such as between adjacent ridges (about 20 to 80 km). However, the technique is applicable to shorter distances, such as the distance across typical ridges. Profiles were measured across the ridge and extended a few kilometers on either side, including all visible components of the ridge. The results of these measurements and the use of internal structure and topographic profile models for estimating the shortening due to folding and faulting are discussed.

Plescia, J. B.

OSIRIS-REx Touch-And-Go (TAG) Navigation Performance

The Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource identification Security Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission is a NASA New Frontiers mission launching in 2016 to rendezvous with the near-Earth asteroid (101955) Bennu in late 2018. Following an extensive campaign of proximity operations activities to characterize the properties of Bennu and select a suitable sample site, OSIRIES-REx will fly a Touch-And-Go (TAG) trajectory to the asteroid's surface to obtain a regolith sample. The paper summarizes the mission design of the TAG sequence, the propulsive required to achieve the trajectory, and the sequence of events leading up to the TAG event. The paper will summarize the Monte-Carlo simulation of the TAG sequence and present analysis results that demonstrate the ability to conduct the TAG within 25 meters of the selected sample site and +-2 cms of the targeted contact velocity. The paper will describe some of the challenges associated with conducting precision navigation operations and ultimately contacting a very small asteroid.

Spectral