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VERITAS Mapping, spectroscopy and geologic analysis of Earth’s “sister” planet.

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Presentation on theme: "VERITAS Mapping, spectroscopy and geologic analysis of Earth’s “sister” planet."— Presentation transcript:

1 VERITAS Mapping, spectroscopy and geologic analysis of Earth’s “sister” planet

2 Venus The Basics, pre-1960 Radius 95% of Earth, mass 82% 92X Earth atmospheric pressure, 97% CO2 462°C surface temp Atmospheric thickness = less diverse study Surface structure and composition? Plate tectonics? etc, etc

3 Venus The Basics, pre-1960 Radius 95% of Earth, mass 82% 92X Earth atmospheric pressure, 97% CO2 462°C surface temp Atmospheric thickness = less diverse study Surface structure and composition? Plate tectonics? etc, etc

4 Magellan Overview Launched 1989 aboard Space Shuttle Solely radar mapping (S-band, λ 12 cm) Imagery: globally 300-m, 70% at 120-m Topography: ~50-m alt, 5x5 km pixel Limitations Very little interferometry capability Inadequate for detailed geologic analysis

5 Magellan Overview Launched 1989 aboard Space Shuttle Solely radar mapping (S-band, λ 12 cm) Imagery: globally 300-m, 70% at 120-m Topography: ~50-m alt, 5x5 km pixel Limitations Very little interferometry capability Inadequate for detailed geologic analysis

6 Answers, Questions Global resurfacing several hundred mya? Volcanoes: active? extinct? Geologic irregularities, relation to tectonics? Does Venus have a hot core at all? Where’s the water, like Earth has? A glimpse into Earth at another time. Future or past? Young surface (<800 mya): lack of craters No apparent plate tectonics Very flat surface, 80% deviates <1km Volcanically-formed surface features

7 Answers, Questions Global resurfacing several hundred mya? Volcanoes: active? extinct? Geologic irregularities, relation to tectonics? Does Venus have a hot core at all? Where’s the water, like Earth has? A glimpse into Earth at another time. Future or past? Young surface (<800 mya): lack of craters No apparent plate tectonics Very flat surface, 80% deviates <1km Volcanically-formed surface features

8 Answers, Questions Global resurfacing several hundred mya? Volcanoes: active? extinct? Geologic irregularities, relation to tectonics? Does Venus have a hot core at all? Where’s the water, like Earth has? A glimpse into Earth at another time. Future or past? Young surface (<800 mya): lack of craters No apparent plate tectonics Very flat surface, 80% deviates <1km Volcanically-formed surface features

9 Answers, Questions Global resurfacing several hundred mya? Volcanoes: active? extinct? Geologic irregularities, relation to tectonics? Does Venus have a hot core at all? Where’s the water, like Earth has? A glimpse into Earth at another time. Future or past? Young surface (<800 mya): lack of craters No apparent plate tectonics Very flat surface, 80% deviates <1km Volcanically-formed surface features

10 Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography and Spectroscopy Keep It Simple, Spacefarer: Two instruments, COTS gear Two-year mission in low orbit Objectives Understand Venus’ geologic evolution Determine current geological processes Find evidence for water—past or present

11 Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography and Spectroscopy Keep It Simple, Spacefarer: Two instruments, COTS gear Two-year mission in low orbit Objectives Understand Venus’ geologic evolution Determine current geological processes Find evidence for water—past or present

12 Instrumentation: VEM and more VEM: IR emissivity mapping Result: composition maps, 60 x 60 km pixel 100x previous missions’ capabilities Gravitational science Tracking spacecraft orbit through comms 145 km resolution, accuracy 2-3x previous Additional atmospheric probe Mass spectrometer-equipped nanosat

13 Instrumentation: VEM and more VEM: IR emissivity mapping Result: composition maps, 60 x 60 km pixel 100x previous missions’ capabilities Gravitational science Tracking spacecraft orbit through comms 145 km resolution, accuracy 2-3x previous Additional atmospheric probe Mass spectrometer-equipped nanosat

14 Instrumentation: VISAR Interferometric radar (X-band, λ 3.8 cm) Mapping Imagery: globally 30-m, ~23% at 15-m Topography: 5-m alt, 0.25 x 0.25 km pixel High-precision topo results can be extrapolated

15 Instrumentation: VISAR Interferometric radar (X-band, λ 3.8 cm) Mapping Imagery: globally 30-m, ~23% at 15-m Topography: 5-m alt, 0.25 x 0.25 km pixel High-precision topo results can be extrapolated

16 Instrumentation: VISAR Interferometric radar (X-band, λ 3.8 cm) Mapping Imagery: globally 30-m, ~23% at 15-m Topography: 5-m alt, 0.25 x 0.25 km pixel High-precision topo results can be extrapolated Global survey: a wealth of data

17 VISAR Interferometry Repeat-pass interferometry Sub-centimeter accuracy Sufficient to detect surface deformation ~12 target sites, 200x200 km size

18 VISAR Interferometry Repeat-pass interferometry Sub-centimeter accuracy Sufficient to detect surface deformation ~12 target sites, 200x200 km size Seismic/tectonic activity?

19 Answers VERITAS’ instruments can answer key questions about Venus and Earth alike. Is Venus truly tectonically inactive? Are its volcanoes extinct? Is it actually beginning its geologic life? A glimpse into Earth’s past… or its future.

20 Answers VERITAS’ instruments can answer key questions about Venus and Earth alike. Is Venus truly tectonically inactive? Are its volcanoes extinct? Is it actually beginning its geologic life? A glimpse into Earth’s past… or its future.

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