Spectrophotometric calibration of Imager for Mars Pathfinder datasets

Abstract

This document describes the Imager for Mars Pathfinder (IMP) calibration targets and outlines a procedure for their use in first-order spectrophotometric image calibration. The Mars Pathfinder mission and landing site are discussed, as are previous observations of Mars. Bidirectional reflectance theory relevant to target design and usage as well as planetary surface measurement will be developed in the context of spectrophotometric image calibration. The design, fabrication, and characterization of the calibration targets is discussed, including an inversion for model parameters using two independent data sets. A procedure detailing first-order spectrophotometric calibration of IMP images is introduced, suitable for rapid scientific analysis necessary during the early landed phase of the mission. The procedure is applied to an image dataset to demonstrate its effectiveness, and possible uses of this procedure on Mars are described. Finally, improvements to the theory, target characterization, and calibration procedure, are discussed in the context of long-term scientific study and the minimization of errors.