Mapping spectroscopy and geologic analysis of Earths sister planet Venus The Basics pre1960 Radius 95 of Earth mass 82 92X Earth atmospheric pressure 97 CO2 462C surface temp ID: 566321
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Slide1
VERITAS
Mapping, spectroscopy and geologic analysis of Earth’s “sister” planetSlide2
Venus
The Basics, pre-1960
Radius 95% of Earth, mass 82%
92X Earth atmospheric pressure, 97% CO2
462°C surface temp
Atmospheric thickness = less diverse study
Surface structure and composition?
Plate tectonics?
etc
,
etcSlide3
Venus
The Basics, pre-1960
Radius 95% of Earth, mass 82%
92X Earth atmospheric pressure, 97% CO2
462°C surface temp
Atmospheric thickness = less diverse study
Surface structure and composition?
Plate tectonics?
etc
,
etcSlide4
Magellan
Overview
Launched 1989 aboard Space Shuttle
Solely radar mapping (S-band,
λ
12 cm)
Imagery: globally 300-m, 70% at 120-m
Topography: ~50-m alt, 5x5 km pixel
Limitations
Very little interferometry capability
Inadequate for detailed geologic analysisSlide5
Magellan
Overview
Launched 1989 aboard Space Shuttle
Solely radar mapping (S-band,
λ
12 cm)
Imagery: globally 300-m, 70% at 120-m
Topography: ~50-m alt, 5x5 km pixel
Limitations
Very little interferometry capability
Inadequate for detailed geologic analysisSlide6
Answers, Questions
Global resurfacing several hundred
mya
?Volcanoes: active?
e
xtinct?
Geologic irregularities, relation to tectonics?
Does Venus have a hot core at all?
Where’s the water, like Earth has?
A glimpse into Earth at another time.
Future or past?
Young surface (<800
mya
): lack of craters
No apparent plate tectonics
Very flat surface, 80% deviates <1km
Volcanically-formed surface features Slide7
Answers, Questions
Global resurfacing several hundred
mya
?Volcanoes: active?
e
xtinct?
Geologic irregularities, relation to tectonics?
Does Venus have a hot core at all?
Where’s the water, like Earth has?
A glimpse into Earth at another time.
Future or past?
Young surface (<800
mya
): lack of craters
No apparent plate tectonics
Very flat surface, 80% deviates <1km
Volcanically-formed surface features Slide8
Answers, Questions
Global resurfacing several hundred
mya
?Volcanoes: active?
e
xtinct?
Geologic irregularities, relation to tectonics?
Does Venus have a hot core at all?
Where’s the water, like Earth has?
A glimpse into Earth at another time.
Future or past?
Young surface (<800
mya
): lack of craters
No apparent plate tectonics
Very flat surface, 80% deviates <1km
Volcanically-formed surface features Slide9
Answers, Questions
Global resurfacing several hundred
mya
?Volcanoes: active?
e
xtinct?
Geologic irregularities, relation to tectonics?
Does Venus have a hot core at all?
Where’s the water, like Earth has?
A glimpse into Earth at another time.
Future or past?
Young surface (<800
mya
): lack of craters
No apparent plate tectonics
Very flat surface, 80% deviates <1km
Volcanically-formed surface features Slide10
Venus Emissivity, Radio Science,
InSAR
, Topography and Spectroscopy
Keep It Simple, Spacefarer:
T
wo instruments, COTS gear
Two-year mission in low orbit
Objectives
Understand Venus’ geologic evolution
Determine current geological processes
Find evidence for water—past or present Slide11
Venus Emissivity, Radio Science,
InSAR
, Topography and Spectroscopy
Keep It Simple, Spacefarer:
T
wo instruments, COTS gear
Two-year mission in low orbit
Objectives
Understand Venus’ geologic evolution
Determine current geological processes
Find evidence for water—past or present Slide12
Instrumentation: VEM and more
VEM: IR emissivity mapping
Result: composition maps, 60 x 60 km pixel
100x previous missions’ capabilities
Gravitational science
Tracking spacecraft orbit through
comms
145 km resolution, accuracy 2-3x previous
Additional atmospheric probe
Mass spectrometer-equipped nanosatSlide13
Instrumentation: VEM and more
VEM: IR emissivity mapping
Result: composition maps, 60 x 60 km pixel
100x previous missions’ capabilities
Gravitational science
Tracking spacecraft orbit through
comms
145 km resolution, accuracy 2-3x previous
Additional atmospheric probe
Mass spectrometer-equipped nanosatSlide14
Instrumentation: VISAR
Interferometric radar (X-band,
λ
3.8 cm)
Mapping
Imagery: globally 30-m, ~23% at 15-m
Topography: 5-m alt, 0.25 x 0.25 km pixel
High-precision topo results can be extrapolated
Slide15
Instrumentation: VISAR
Interferometric radar (X-band,
λ
3.8 cm)
Mapping
Imagery: globally 30-m, ~23% at 15-m
Topography: 5-m alt, 0.25 x 0.25 km pixel
High-precision topo results can be extrapolated
Slide16
Instrumentation: VISAR
Interferometric radar (X-band,
λ
3.8 cm)
Mapping
Imagery: globally 30-m, ~23% at 15-m
Topography: 5-m alt, 0.25 x 0.25 km pixel
High-precision topo results can be extrapolated
Global survey: a wealth of data
Slide17
VISAR Interferometry
Repeat-pass interferometry
Sub-centimeter accuracy
Sufficient to detect surface deformation
~12 target sites, 200x200 km sizeSlide18
VISAR Interferometry
Repeat-pass interferometry
Sub-centimeter accuracy
Sufficient to detect surface deformation
~12 target sites, 200x200 km size
Seismic/tectonic activity?Slide19
Answers
VERITAS’ instruments can answer key questions about Venus and Earth alike.
Is Venus truly tectonically inactive?
Are its volcanoes extinct?
Is it actually beginning its geologic life?
A glimpse into Earth’s past… or its future.
Slide20
Answers
VERITAS’ instruments can answer key questions about Venus and Earth alike.
Is Venus truly tectonically inactive?
Are its volcanoes extinct?
Is it actually beginning its geologic life?
A glimpse into Earth’s past… or its future.