Imaging spectroscopy of planetary surfaces: Improving the spatial contrast

CNR Istituto di Fisica dello Spazio Interplanetario Area di Ricerca di Tor Vergata Via Fosso del Cavaliere, 00133 Rome, Italy

Received: 29 December 1997
Accepted: 15 May 1998

Abstract

A method to improve the spatial contrast of planetary images acquired by means of push-broom imaging spectrometers is presented. The technique allows to better recognize the boundaries of spatially coherent units with different mineralogic composition. We have analyzed the case of a surface observed by means of an imaging spectrometer from a ground-based telescope. It is assumed that image degradation is mainly due to the atmosphere placed between the surface remotely sensed and the instrumentation. A possible extension to space born imaging spectrometers affected by random errors of the pointing system is also discussed. An example relative to the observation of the Moon is given.