Rock breakdown due to diurnal thermal cycling has been hypothesized to drive boulder degradation and regolith production on airless bodies. Numerous studies have invoked its importance in driving ...landscape evolution, yet morphological features produced by thermal fracture processes have never been definitively observed on an airless body, or any surface where other weathering mechanisms may be ruled out. The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission provides an opportunity to search for evidence of thermal breakdown and assess its significance on asteroid surfaces. Here we show boulder morphologies observed on Bennu that are consistent with terrestrial observations and models of fatigue-driven exfoliation and demonstrate how crack propagation via thermal stress can lead to their development. The rate and expression of this process will vary with asteroid composition and location, influencing how different bodies evolve and their apparent relative surface ages from space weathering and cratering records.
Multiscale gigapixel photography BRADY, D. J; GEHM, M. E; STACK, R. A ...
Nature (London),
06/2012, Volume:
486, Issue:
7403
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Pixel count is the ratio of the solid angle within a camera's field of view to the solid angle covered by a single detector element. Because the size of the smallest resolvable pixel is proportional ...to aperture diameter and the maximum field of view is scale independent, the diffraction-limited pixel count is proportional to aperture area. At present, digital cameras operate near the fundamental limit of 1-10 megapixels for millimetre-scale apertures, but few approach the corresponding limits of 1-100 gigapixels for centimetre-scale apertures. Barriers to high-pixel-count imaging include scale-dependent geometric aberrations, the cost and complexity of gigapixel sensor arrays, and the computational and communications challenge of gigapixel image management. Here we describe the AWARE-2 camera, which uses a 16-mm entrance aperture to capture snapshot, one-gigapixel images at three frames per minute. AWARE-2 uses a parallel array of microcameras to reduce the problems of gigapixel imaging to those of megapixel imaging, which are more tractable. In cameras of conventional design, lens speed and field of view decrease as lens scale increases, but with the experimental system described here we confirm previous theoretical results suggesting that lens speed and field of view can be scale independent in microcamera-based imagers resolving up to 50 gigapixels. Ubiquitous gigapixel cameras may transform the central challenge of photography from the question of where to point the camera to that of how to mine the data.
The OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite (OCAMS) onboard the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is used to study the shape and surface of the mission’s target, asteroid (101955) Bennu, in support of the selection of a ...sampling site. We present calibration methods and results for the three OCAMS cameras—MapCam, PolyCam, and SamCam—using data from pre-flight and in-flight calibration campaigns. Pre-flight calibrations established a baseline for a variety of camera properties, including bias and dark behavior, flat fields, stray light, and radiometric calibration. In-flight activities updated these calibrations where possible, allowing us to confidently measure Bennu’s surface. Accurate calibration is critical not only for establishing a global understanding of Bennu, but also for enabling analyses of potential sampling locations and for providing scientific context for the returned sample.
Two of the instruments onboard the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, the MapCam color imager and the OVIRS visible and 20 infrared spectrometer, observed the surface of asteroid (101955) Bennu in partially ...overlapping wavelengths. 21 Significant scientific advances have been enabled by using data from these two instruments in tandem, but a robust 22 statistical understanding of their relationship is needed for future analyses to cross-compare their data as accurately 23 and sensitively as possible. Here we present a cross-instrument comparison of data acquired by MapCam and 24 OVIRS, including methods and results for all global and site-specific observation campaigns in which both 25 instruments were active. In our analysis, we consider both the absolute radiometric offset and the relative 26 (normalized) variation between the two instruments; we find that both depend strongly on the photometric and 27 instrumental conditions during the observation. The two instruments have a large absolute offset (>15%) due to their 28 independent radiometric calibrations. However, they are very consistent (relative offset as low as 1%) when each 29 instrument’s response is normalized at a single wavelength, particularly at low phase angles where shadows on 30 Bennu’s rough surface are minimized. We recommend using the global datasets acquired at 12:30 pm local solar 31 time for cross-comparisons; data acquired at higher phase angles have larger uncertainties.
The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security Regolith Explorer(OSIRISREx) mission observed the The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and ...Security‐Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS‐REx) mission observed the Moon during the spacecraft's Earth gravity assist in 2017. From the spacecraft view, the lunar phase was 42°, and the in‐view hemisphere was dominated by anorthositic highlands terrain. Lunar spectra obtained by the OSIRIS‐REx Visible and InfraRed Spectrometer show evidence of several candidate absorption features. We observe the 2.8‐μm hydration band, confirming the spectral results from other missions, but detected in full‐disk spectra. We also tentatively identify weak spectral features near 0.9 and 1.3 μm, consistent with lunar regolith containing a mixture of plagioclase and orthopyroxene minerals, as expected for highlands terrain.
OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security–Regolith Explorer) is a NASA mission to return a sample of asteroid (101955) Bennu. Photometric modeling of Bennu's ...surface is a key element of both sample site characterization and our broader scientific understanding of the asteroid. Bennu's heterogeneous surface presents substantial variation in reflectance and produces a scattered dataset that poses a challenge to photometric modeling. We show that the resolution of the shape model with which we calculate photometric angles strongly affects the accuracy of the analysis, as well as the efficacy of subsequent photometric corrections. We use global imaging data to fit empirical photometric models of the surface. These models represent the average behavior of Bennu's surface and can be used beyond this work to photometrically correct panchromatic and color basemaps of Bennu and perform albedo analyses of individual features on Bennu's surface. Bennu's global photometry reveals a moderate opposition effect and detectable phase reddening, both of which suggest a macroscopically rough surface, which is confirmed by centimeter-scale images of the asteroid.
•The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft globally imaged asteroid Bennu.•Bennu's extremely rough terrain poses challenges to photometric modeling.•The resolution of the shape model affects photometric modeling and correction accuracy.•Bennu's surface shows evidence of moderate phase reddening.•A shallow, broad opposition surge is consistent with Bennu's dark surface.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft encountered the asteroid (101955) Bennu on December 3, 2018, and has since acquired extensive data from the payload of scientific instruments on board. In 2019, the ...OSIRIS-REx team selected primary and backup sample collection sites, called Nightingale and Osprey, respectively. On October 20, 2020, OSIRIS-REx successfully collected material from Nightingale. In this work, we apply an unsupervised machine learning classification through the K-Means algorithm to spectrophotometrically characterize the surface of Bennu, and in particular Nightingale and Osprey. We first analyze a global mosaic of Bennu, from which we find four clusters scattered across the surface, reduced to three when we normalize the images at 550 nm. The three spectral clusters are associated with boulders and show significant differences in spectral slope and UV value. We do not see evidence of latitudinal non-uniformity, which suggests that Bennu's surface is well-mixed. In our higher-resolution analysis of the primary and backup sample sites, we find three representative normalized clusters, confirming an inverse correlation between reflectance and spectral slope (the darkest areas being the reddest ones) and between b' normalized reflectance and slope. Nightingale and Osprey are redder than the global surface of Bennu by more than 1σ from average, consistent with previous findings, with Nightingale being the reddest (S′ = (−0.3 ± 1.0) × 10−3 percent per thousand angstroms). We see hints of a weak absorption band at 550 nm at the candidate sample sites and globally, which lends support to the proposed presence of magnetite on Bennu.
•We apply a machine learning classification to characterize the surface of Bennu, in particular Nightingale and Osprey.•We find three representative normalized clusters where the darkest areas being the reddest ones.•Nightingale and Osprey are redder than the global surface (more than 1σ from average), with Nightingale being the reddest.•We see hints of a weak absorption band at 550 nm, which lends support to the proposed presence of magnetite on Bennu.
This paper summarizes the evidence for the optical effects of space weathering, as well as the properties of the surface that control optical changes, on asteroid (101955) Bennu. First, we set the ...stage by briefly reviewing what was known about space weathering of low-albedo materials from telescopic surveys, laboratory simulations, and sample return analysis. We then look at the evidence for the nature of space weathering on Bennu from recent spacecraft imaging and spectroscopy observations, including the visible to near-infrared and thermal infrared wavelengths, followed by other measurements such as normal albedo measurements from LIDAR scans. We synthesize these different lines of evidence in an effort to describe a general model of space weathering processes and resulting color effects on dark C-complex asteroids, with hypotheses that can be tested by analyzing samples returned by the mission.
A working hypothesis that synthesizes findings thus far is that the optical effects of maturation in the space environment depend on the level of hydration of the silicate/phyllosilicate substrate. Subsequent variations in color depend on surface processes and exposure age. On strongly hydrated Bennu, in color imaging data, very young craters are darker and redder than their surroundings (more positive spectral slope in the wavelength range 0.4–0.7μm) as a result of their smaller particle sizes and/or fresh exposures of organics by impacts. Solar wind, dehydration, or migration of fines may cause intermediate-age surfaces to appear bluer than the very young craters. Exposed surfaces evolve toward Bennu’s moderately blue global average spectral slope. However, in spectroscopic and LIDAR data, the equator, the oldest surface on Bennu, is darker and redder (wavelength range 0.55–2.0μm) than average and has shallower absorption bands, possibly due to dehydration and/or nanophase and/or microphase opaque production.
Bennu is a rubble pile with an active surface, making age relationships, which are critical for determining space weathering signals, difficult to locate and quantify. Hence, the full story ultimately awaits analyses of the Bennu samples that will soon be delivered to Earth.
•We present evidence for the nature of space weathering on Bennu from recent spacecraft observations.•Bennu is a rubble pile with an active surface, making surface age relationships difficult to identify.•We synthesize evidence to describe a general model of space weathering on C-complex asteroids.•Optical effects of maturation depend on the level of hydration of the (phyllo)silicate substrate.•Subsequent variations in color depend on exposure age.
Blur remediation in NEAR MSI images Golish, D.R.; DellaGiustina, D.N.; Becker, K.J. ...
Icarus (New York, N.Y. 1962),
August 2023, 2023-08-00, Volume:
400
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Due to contamination on the outer optic of the NEAR-Shoemaker Multispectral Imager (MSI), all surface-resolved images of Eros acquired by MSI had wavelength-dependent degradation. The MSI team ...designed and implemented a preliminary correction for the blur during mission operations and archived the results with the original camera data. While successful for most filters, the preliminary correction had edge effect artifacts and was less effective for the 450 and 1050 nm passbands. Here we implement a new correction, based on the MSI team's original process, to improve the blur remediation for all MSI filters, particularly those at the extreme wavelengths. The new method improves the effective resolution of the deblurred images over the preliminary remediation for all filters. Moreover, for all filters, our method preserves the 21–39% of the pixels that were lost (or obscured by artifacts) with the preliminary remediation. We apply the new method to the complete MSI dataset of resolved Eros images and archive the results for future scientific use.
•New blur remediation for NEAR MSI produces higher fidelity images of the surface of asteroid Eros.•The remediation technique utilizes new PSF designs and symmetric tapered padding to minimize deconvolution artifacts.•The technique increases the usable image area by 21–39% over the original remediation.•Remediation code and improved images have been publicly archived.
Observations of near-Earth asteroid Bennu have revealed a dynamic surface composed of unconsolidated material. The OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and ...Security–Regolith Explorer) mission found numerous locations exhibiting evidence of mass movements of surface material. Mass movements can be a major factor in the surface evolution of a small near-Earth asteroid, and the Small Carry-on Impactor (SCI) experiment on asteroid Ryugu has shown that seismic shaking can trigger it. We selected one mass movement site on Bennu to conduct a detailed survey of the surface boulder arrangement and geomorphology. Using these data, we created dynamical simulations of mass movement events at this site initiated by seismic shaking, and we found a mass flux comparable to estimates from the site survey. The frequency ranges of the shakings are similar to what would be produced by a 0.5-m-diameter impactor, for which the expected crater size is of a scale widely seen on Bennu (32 m). In addition, the simulation exhibited the Brazil nut effect, where finer particles percolate towards greater depth, in this case up to 1.5 m. Our results demonstrate that impact-induced seismic shaking is a viable mechanism for the initiation of mass movements, and a plausible explanation for the scarcity of fine regolith, on Bennu's surface.
•Characterized and simulated a mass movement site on asteroid Bennu.•Boulder orientations at site follow local topography but not current slopes.•Simulation frequencies resemble those produced by a 50-cm diameter impactor.•Mass flux consistent between observed site and seismic shaking-induced simulation.•Simulations exhibited Brazil nut effect and increased regolith layer porosity.
PDF
