Konrad Willner

Shape model, reference system definition, and cartographic mapping standards for comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko Stereo-photogrammetric analysis of Rosetta/OSIRIS image data

We analyzed more than 200 OSIRIS NAC images with a pixel scale of 0.9−2.4 m/pixel of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P) that have been acquired from onboard the Rosetta spacecraft in August and September 2014 using stereo-photogrammetric methods (SPG). We derived improved spacecraft position and pointing data for the OSIRIS images and a high-resolution shape model that consists of about 16 million facets (2 m horizontal sampling) and a typical vertical accuracy at the decimeter scale. From this model, we derive a volume for the northern hemisphere of 9.35 km3 ± 0.1 km3. With the assumption of a homogeneous density distribution and taking into account the current uncertainty of the position of the comet’s center-of-mass, we extrapolated this value to an overall volume of 18.7 km3 ± 1.2 km3, and, with a current best estimate of 1.0 × 1013 kg for the mass, we derive a bulk density of 535 kg/m3 ± 35 kg/m3. Furthermore, we used SPG methods to analyze the rotational elements of 67P. The rotational period for August and September 2014 was determined to be 12.4041 ± 0.0004 h. For the orientation of the rotational axis (z-axis of the body-fixed reference frame) we derived a precession model with a half-cone angle of 0.14◦, a cone center position at 69.54◦/64.11◦ (RA/Dec J2000 equatorial coordinates), and a precession period of 10.7 days. For the definition of zero longitude (x-axis orientation), we finally selected the boulder-like Cheops feature on the big lobe of 67P and fixed its spherical coordinates to 142.35◦ right-hand-rule eastern longitude and –0.28◦ latitude. This completes the definition of the new Cheops reference frame for 67P. Finally, we defined cartographic mapping standards for common use and combined analyses of scientific results that have been obtained not only within the OSIRIS team, but also within other groups of the Rosetta mission.

New astrometric observations of Phobos with the SRC on Mars Express

Aims. From April 2008 to August 2011 Mars Express carried out 74 Phobos flybys at distances between 669 and 5579 km. Images taken with the Super Resolution Channel (SRC) were used to determine the spacecraft-centered right ascension and declination of this Martian moon. Methods. Image positions of Phobos were measured using the limb-fit and control-point measurement techniques. Camera pointing and pointing drift were controlled by means of background star observations that were compared to corresponding positions from reference catalogs. Blurred and noisy images were restored by applying an image-based point spread function in a Richardson-Lucy deconvolution. Results. Here, we report on a set of 158 Phobos astrometric observations with estimated accuracies between 0.224 and 3.405 km circular w.r.t. the line of sight to the satellite. Control point measurements yield slightly more accurate results than the limb fit ones. Our observations are in good agreement with the current Phobos ephemerides by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the Royal Observatory of Belgium (ROB) with mean offsets of up to 335 m. Our data can be used for the maintenance and update of these models.

Mass wasting on Phobos triggered by an evolving tidal environment

The Martian moon Phobos is experiencing orbital decay, increasing tidal forces, and possible disruption in the near future. We suggest that this changing dynamic tidal environment has contributed to re-surfacing of the odd-shaped small moon. We investigated mass wasting features in craters using high-resolution images acquired by the Mars Express onboard High Resolution Stereo Camera. We model the evolving dynamical environment of Phobos by reconstructing dynamic slopes on its surface with Phobos at different distances to Mars. We note that the increase in slope by tidal effect correlates with most of the observed landslides, which is particularly obvious for craters near the sub-Mars and anti-Mars points. We suggest that the effect has triggered mass displacements that are responsible for observed asymmetries of some craters. The most recent landslides are likely to be geologically young and occurred within the past few hundred million years.

Astrometric observations of Phobos with the SRC on Mars Express - New data and comparison of different measurement techniques

Aims. From April 2008 to August 2011 Mars Express carried out 74 Phobos flybys at distances between 669 and 5579 km. Images taken with the Super Resolution Channel (SRC) were used to determine the spacecraft-centered right ascension and declination of this Martian moon. Methods. Image positions of Phobos were measured using the limb-fit and control-point measurement techniques. Camera pointing and pointing drift were controlled by means of background star observations that were compared to corresponding positions from reference catalogs. Blurred and noisy images were restored by applying an image-based point spread function in a Richardson-Lucy deconvolution. Results. Here, we report on a set of 158 Phobos astrometric observations with estimated accuracies between 0.224 and 3.405 km circular w.r.t. the line of sight to the satellite. Control point measurements yield slightly more accurate results than the limb fit ones. Our observations are in good agreement with the current Phobos ephemerides by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the Royal Observatory of Belgium (ROB) with mean offsets of up to 335 m. Our data can be used for the maintenance and update of these models.

Determination of Phobos’ rotational parameters by an inertial frame bundle block adjustment

A functional model for a bundle block adjustment in the inertial reference frame was developed, implemented and tested. This approach enables the determination of rotation parameters of planetary bodies on the basis of photogrammetric observations. Tests with a self-consistent synthetic data set showed that the implementation converges reliably toward the expected values of the introduced unknown parameters of the adjustment, e.g., spin pole orientation, and that it can cope with typical observational errors in the data. We applied the model to a data set of Phobos using images from the Mars Express and the Viking mission. With Phobos being in a locked rotation, we computed a forced libration amplitude of

Phobos control point network, rotation, and shape

1.14^\circ \pm 0.03^\circ

Mars Express Investigations of Phobos and Deimos

1.14∘±0.03∘ together with a control point network of 685 points.

A new topographic image atlas of Phobos

Context. Both Martian moons, Phobos and Deimos, have been observed during several imaging campaigns by the Super Resolution Channel (SRC) on the Mars Express probe. Several tens of images are obtained during mutual event observations – when the Martian moons are both observed or together with another solar system body. These observations provide new opportunities to determine the bodies’ positions in their orbits. Aims. A method was sought to automate the observation of the positions of the imaged bodies. Within one image sequence a similarly accurate localization of the objects in all images should be possible. Methods. Shape models of Phobos and Deimos are applied to simulate the appearance of the bodies in the images. Matching the illuminated simulation against the observation provides a reliable determination of the bodies’ location within the image. To enhance the matching confidence several corrections need to be applied to the simulation to closely reconstruct the observation. Results. A list of 884 relative positions between the different objects is provided through the Centre de Donnees astronomiques de Strasbourg (CDS).