Mapping Surface Materials on Mars From Mars Pathfinder Spectral Images With HYPEREYE

Abstract

A comprehensive mapping of spectral variations is presented for one octant of the Imager for Mars Pathfinder SuperPan data set. Both left eye and right eye images are analyzed, and for each, all respective spectral bands are utilized simultaneously. We use a Self-Organizing Map to achieve fine discrimination of over 20 surface units including previously published classes. Agreement with earlier analyses are very good where data are available for comparison. In spite of the separate analysis of the left and right eye data, which cover different spectral windows with little overlap, many classes show very similar spatial distribution in the left and right eye images. The SOM clustering produced refinements within the unit formerly labeled as “black rock”, discovered previously undiscussed units that may be various coatings on rocks, and presented some disagreements with existing units. The clustering tools are part of HYPEREYE, a dedicated research software developed with NASA/OSSA AISRP support