1. Creating a circum-Mars Visual transect using a gradient path tool
Colin Ho
ASU Mars Space Flight Facility
Mentor: Phil Christensen

2. Objective To create a circum-Mars visual transect
Geological perspective
Cartographical perspective
Possible creation of a robotic rover transect
Sub-objective – to create a tool to help optimize that transect based on various parameters
Quantitatively find the best path

3. Method – The gradient tool
ASU software tool davinci was used to create a script
Algorithm
Start at a given point
Go to next point based off which adjacent point has the lowest gradient
The lowest gradient path running North-South using MOLA elevation data
(-4 to -5o E, o N)

4. Examples of use Valles Marineris(284.5 to 290E,-2.8 to -5.8 N)
MOLA Shaded Relief / Colorized Elevation

5. Future development
In this case, the gradient tool was used to minimize elevation gradient
Will be applied to other data sets such as
Albedo
Mineral Maps
Thermal Inertia
Etc.
Create a path to fit multiple parameters
TES Surface Dust (NASA MGS/TES)

6. Overview
This gradient tool will help to quantitatively define the optimal transect based off of various parameters
The transect will then be created with high-resolution THEMIS vis images
The transect will be the first complete high-resolution transect of another planet
THEMIS vis image
18m resolution

7. Sources Mars Global Data, “http://jmars.asu.edu/data/”
davinci – Main Page , “
Arizona Space Grant Consortium logos , “