Principal components analysis of Mars in the near-infrared

Principal components analysis and target transformation are applied to near-infrared image cubes of Mars in a study to disentangle the spectra into a small number of spectral endmembers and characterize the spectral information. The image cubes are ground-based telescopic data from the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility during the 1995 and 1999 near-aphelion oppositions when ice clouds were plentiful [ [Clancy et al., 1996] and [56]], and the 2003 near-perihelion opposition when ice clouds are generally limited to topographically high regions (volcano cap clouds) but airborne dust is more common [Martin, L.J., Zurek, R.W., 1993. J. Geophys. Res. 98 (E2), 3221-3246]. The heart of the technique is to transform the data into a vector space along the dimensions of greatest spectral variance and then choose endmembers based on these new “trait” dimensions. This is done through a target transformation technique, comparing linear combinations of the principal components to a mineral spectral library. In general Mars can be modeled, on the whole, with only three spectral endmembers which account for almost 99% of the data variance. This is similar to results in the thermal infrared with Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer data [Bandfield, J.L., Hamilton, V.E., Christensen, P.R., 2000. Science 287, 1626-1630]. The globally recovered surface endmembers can be used as inputs to radiative transfer modeling in order to measure ice abundance in martian clouds [Klassen, D.R., Bell III, J.F., 2002. Bull. Am. Astron. Soc. 34, 865] and a preliminary test of this technique is also presented.     

Spectral unmixing for mineral identification in pancam images of soils in Gusev crater, Mars

The objective of this work is to propose an automated unmixing technique for the analysis of 11-channel Mars Exploration Rover Panoramic Camera (MER/Pancam) spectra. Our approach is to provide a screening tool for identifying unique/distinct reflectance spectra. We demonstrate the utility of this unmixing technique in a study of the mineralogy of the bright salty soils exposed by the rover wheels in images of Gusev crater regions known as Paso Robles (Sols 400,426), Arad (Sol 721), and Tyrone (Sol 790). The unmixing algorithm is based on a novel derivation of the Nonnegative Matrix Factorization technique and includes added features that preclude the adverse effects of low abundance materials that would otherwise skew the unmixing. In order to create a full 11-channel spectrum out of the left and right eye stereo pairs, we also developed a new registration procedure that includes rectification and disparity calculation of the images. We identified two classes of endmember spectra for the bright soils imaged on Sols 426 and 790. One of these endmember classes is also observed for soils imaged on Sols 400 and 721 and has a unique spectral shape that is distinct from most iron oxide, sulfate and silicate spectra and differs from typical martian surface spectra. Instead, its unique spectral character resembles the spectral shape of the ferric sulfate minerals fibroferrite (Fe³⁺(SO₄)(OH) · 5H₂O) and ferricopiapite and the phosphate mineral ferristrunzite . The other endmember class is less consistent with specific minerals and is likely a mixture of altered volcanic material and some bright salts. Further analyses of data from Sols 400 and 790 using an anomaly detection algorithm as a tool for detecting low abundance materials additionally suggests the identification of the sulfate mineral paracoquimbite (Fe₂(SO₄)₃ · 9H₂O). This spectral study of Pancam images of the bright S- and P-enriched soils of Gusev crater identifies specific ferric sulfate and ferric phosphate minerals that are consistent with the unique spectral properties observed here in the 0.4-1 μm range.     

Background–source separation in astronomical images with Bayesian probability theory – I. The method

A probabilistic technique for the joint estimation of background and sources with the aim of detecting faint and extended celestial objects is described. Bayesian probability theory is applied to gain insight into the co-existence of background and sources through a probabilistic two-component mixture model, which provides consistent uncertainties of background and sources. A multiresolution analysis is used for revealing faint and extended objects in the frame of the Bayesian mixture model. All the revealed sources are parametrized automatically providing source position, net counts, morphological parameters and their errors.
We demonstrate the capability of our method by applying it to three simulated data sets characterized by different background and source intensities. The results of employing two different prior knowledge on the source signal distribution are shown. The probabilistic method allows for the detection of bright and faint sources independently of their morphology and the kind of background. The results from our analysis of the three simulated data sets are compared with other source detection methods. Additionally, the technique is applied to ROSAT All-Sky Survey data.     

Sérsiclets – a matched filter extension of Shapelets for weak lensing studies

The precision study of dark matter using weak lensing by large-scale structure is strongly constrained by the accuracy with which one can measure galaxy shapes. Several methods have been devised but none has demonstrated the ability to reach the level of precision required by future weak lensing surveys. In this paper, we explore new avenues to the existing 'Shapelets' approach, combining a priori knowledge of the galaxy profile with the power of orthogonal basis function decomposition. This paper discusses the new issues raised by this matched filter approach and proposes promising alternatives to shape measurement techniques. In particular, it appears that the use of a matched filter (e.g. Sérsic profile) restricted to elliptical radial fitting functions resolves several well-known Shapelet issues.     

MODIS 1B数据的预处理及归一化植被指数计算

MODIS 1B数据的预处理是MODIS数据使用前的重要处理步骤之一。本文在分析MODIS数据畸变的基础上,利用ENVI软件对2006年7月覆盖宁夏全区的MODIS 1B数据进行了bow-tie校正和几何校正。在预处理的基础上,通过最大值合成法计算出了7月下旬宁夏全区的归一化植被指数（NDVI）。结果表明,通过该方法得到的NDVI可以很好反映全区的植被状况。     

电接风向风速自记纸数字化处理系统的设计与实现

纸质记录曲线的识别和数字化是图像处理和模式识别领域的一项重要内容, 是对气象档案馆保存的气象纸质曲线资料数字化的有效方法。该文研究并构建了电接风向风速自记纸数字化处理系统, 该系统主要包括4个处理阶段:自记纸图像的输入、图像预处理、自记曲线的分割、曲线的跟踪和识别。其中, 自记纸图像的输入应用TWAIN (Toolkit Without An Interesting Name, 无注名工具包协议) 标准来设计, 对记录曲线的跟踪识别, 该文提出的基于灰度积分投影的分段线性插值算法, 取得了很好的识别效果。     

MSCT多平面及曲面重组技术在机械性肠梗阻诊断中的应用

目的:探讨MSCT多平面及曲面重组技术在机械性肠梗阻诊断中价值。方法:36例经手术、结肠镜病理证实或临床明确诊断的肠梗阻患者,行腹部MSCT平扫,扫描后进行回顾性0.6mm到1.0mm薄层重建,图像后处理技术包括MPR、CPR、MIP等,观察扩张积气的肠管、移行区和肠系膜,从而判断梗阻部位、梗阻原因及肠管血运状况。结果:粘连性肠梗阻21例,肠道肿瘤7例,炎症性肠梗阻5例,胆石性肠梗阻1例,肠扭转1例,腹外疝1例。正确诊断率为92.00%(32/36)。结论:横断位图像基础上增加MPR、CPR等MSCT图像重组技术,在明确肠梗阻病因、部位及性质等方面有重要临床价值,可以作为肠梗阻诊断的首选检查方法。     

Color imaging of Mars by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE)

HiRISE has been producing a large number of scientifically useful color products of Mars and other planetary objects. The three broad spectral bands, coupled with the highly sensitive 14 bit detectors and time delay integration, enable detection of subtle color differences. The very high spatial resolution of HiRISE can augment the mineralogic interpretations based on multispectral (THEMIS) and hyperspectral datasets (TES, OMEGA and CRISM) and thereby enable detailed geologic and stratigraphic interpretations at meter scales. In addition to providing some examples of color images and their interpretation, we describe the processing techniques used to produce them and note some of the minor artifacts in the output. We also provide an example of how HiRISE color products can be effectively used to expand mineral and lithologic mapping provided by CRISM data products that are backed by other spectral datasets. The utility of high quality color data for understanding geologic processes on Mars has been one of the major successes of HiRISE.     

Aeolian processes and dune morphology in Gale Crater

Datasets at resolutions many times greater than previously available were used to study aeolian features within Gale Crater. High resolution thermal inertia data allowed for detailed particle size estimation, with the data sufficient to resolve dunefields. A wide range of grain sizes have now been identified in the Gale Crater dunefields, ranging from medium to very coarse sand. High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) and THEMIS VIS data allowed for detailed analysis of the dune morphology and slip-faces, which shows that the dunes have responded to topographic influences on prevailing wind directions under a present day wind regime. This result was corroborated by a regional mesoscale model for the crater under dust storm conditions. The central mound and smaller scale crater floor topography has altered the prevailing wind regime and dune patterns. Aeolian activity has thus played, and continues to play, an important role in shaping many of the present surface features of Gale Crater. The arrival of a future lander mission such as the Mars Science Laboratory would be able to sample these surface features directly and add a wealth of data to the understanding of Gale Crater.