Astropedia
Lunar and Planetary Cartographic Catalog

Mars MER Microscopic Imager Merged Products

A Pancam / Microscopic Imager merged image
A Pancam / Microscopic Imager merged image
Images by combining MI (intensity) and Pancam (hue / saturation) information. The MI (Microscopic Imager) on the robotic arm is capable of taking detailed monochromatic images, while the Pancam, at the top of the mast, can provide color information.
Images by combining MI (intensity) and Pancam (hue / saturation) information. The MI (Microscopic Imager) on the robotic arm is capable of taking detailed monochromatic images, while the Pancam, at the top of the mast, can provide color information.
A Pancam / Microscopic Imager merged image
A Pancam / Microscopic Imager merged image

A single MI image or an Microscopic Imager mosaic can be merged with Pancam color images. The two products must be coregistered first, and then added together to produce colorized images in which the intensity comes from the MI and color (hue/saturation) comes from the Pancam images. This method of colorizing data may not yield a satisfactory product if the solar illumination is from a different direction in the Pancam relative to the MI images, or if the images are partly shadowed. It can be difficult to find where the MI overlaps the Pancam due to the scale difference (roughly a factor of 20) and differences in illumination, especially for soil targets.

Spirit
    Spirit MI Pancam Merges
Opportunity
    Opportunity MI Pancam Merges

References

  • Alexander, D., H. Mortensen, and R. Deen (2003), Mars Exploration Rover Project Software Interface Specification (SIS) Camera Experiment Data Record (EDR) and Reduced Data Record (RDR) Operations Data Products, JPL Document D-22846, Jet Propul. Lab., Pasadena, Calif.
  • Bell, J. F. III and 24 others, The Mars Exploration Rover Athena Panoramic Camera (Pancam) Investigation, J. Geophys. Res., 108, 8067, doi:10.1029/2003JE00207, 2003.