Initial results from a GIS-based unsupervised classification study of the Martian surface
Date
2011
Authors
Jones, E.
Mills, F.
Doran, B.
Caprarelli, G.
Clarke, J.
Editors
Short, W.
Cairns, I.
Cairns, I.
Advisors
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Conference paper
Citation
Proceedings of the 10th Australian Space Science Conference, 2011 / Short, W., Cairns, I. (ed./s), pp.145-160
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10th Australian Space Science Conference (27 Sep 2010 - 30 Sep 2010 : Brisbane, Australia)
Abstract
Maps of thermal inertia-albedo units and thermal inertia-elevation units on Mars' surface have been generated by choosing thresholds that fit the strongest peaks in the histograms of these datasets. The units thus defined were then interpreted as distinct mixtures of materials on the surface, such as: bright fines, rock + bedrock and ice. We have conducted an initial classification of Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) night-¬‐time thermal inertia and TES albedo using a hard classifier. The methods used here are largely unsupervised and differ from those of previous studies. The aim of our study is to investigate what information can be obtained by utilising unsupervised classification algorithms to investigate the distribution of thermal materials on the surface of Mars. We find that unsupervised classification reveals additional structure in the clustering and spatial distribution of surface materials with moderate-low albedo and moderate-high thermal inertia. We highlight a number of regions such as Aciduria and Valles Marines for future detailed studies of this type.
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Copyright 2011 National Space Society of Australia Ltd