See Mars Like Never Before With Tianwen-1’s High-Resolution Global Map

Advancements With Tianwen-1

New data obtained by Tianwen-1 mission have laid the foundation for the development of a high-resolution global color-image map of Mars with high positioning

Methodology and Technological Enhancements

With the above-mentioned data, Professor Li Chunlai at National Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Professor Zhang Rongqiao at Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center, have led the Tianwen-1 science team and collaborators to conduct the research of image data processing and global mapping of Mars. This study used the bundle adjustment technology to optimize the original orbit measurement data by treating Mars as a unified adjustment network, reduce the position deviation between individual MoRIC images to under 1 pixel, and achieving pixel-level “seamless” global image mosaicking.

Brightness and color consistency of the global images were ensured through color correction and global color uniformity. The true colors of the Martian surface were measured using the MMS onboard the Tianwen-1 orbiter, and a true-color reference for the Martian surface was established for true color restoration. Through this study, A global color image dataset and map of Mars (Tianwen-1 Mars Global Color Orthomosaic 76 m v1), with a resolution of 76 m and a horizontal accuracy of 68 m was produced and released.

Impact of the Tianwen-1 Mars Global Color Orthomosaic

The Tianwen-1 Mars Global Color Orthomosaic data products fill the gap in the high-precision positioning of Mars global color-image data products at a scale of tens of meters. It is currently the highest resolution global true-color image map of Mars, and significantly improves the resolution and color authenticity of commonly used global Mars images. This mapping product can serve as a new Mars global base map, providing a higher-quality geographic reference for international peers to conduct Mars image mapping at scales of tens of meters, meters, and submeters, as well as supporting subsequent Mars exploration missions and scientific research.

Reference: “A 76-m per pixel global color image dataset and map of Mars by Tianwen-1” by Jianjun Liu, Xin Ren, Wei Yan, Wangli Chen, Xingguo Zeng, Xiaoxia Zhang, Xu Tan, Xingye Gao, Qiang Fu, Dingxin Liu, Lin Guo, Qing Zhang, Jingjing Zhang, Guobin Yu, Zhiping He, Yan Geng, Rongqiao Zhang and Chunlai Li, 23 April 2024, Science Bulletin.
DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2024.04.045