Coordinates of Features on the Mariner 6 and 7 Pictures of Mars.

Merton E. Davies

ResearchPublished 1971

Final report on the computation of a control net of Mars based on the Mariner 6 and 7 pictures. The high resolution and large phase angle permitted selection of control points smaller and better defined than any in earth-based telescopic studies; they are, therefore, difficult to compare. The points reported in RM-6381 were remeasured; some were redefined and some replaced by new points for a total of 115 points encircling Mars. Near-encounter pictures were geometrically corrected; far-encounter measurements were corrected using a special distortion-removing computer program developed by R. B. Leighton. Results are given separately and combined. The latter computation involved the 115 points, 880 observation equations, and 401 normal equations. This report describes the photogrammetric measurement techniques, gives the trajectory data, and presents labeled photographs and tables of both areocentric and areographic coordinates. Differences in the Mariner 6 and 7 coordinates were not fully reconciled; better spacecraft orientation data are needed. 70 pp. Ref.

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Davies, Merton E., Coordinates of Features on the Mariner 6 and 7 Pictures of Mars. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1971. https://www.rand.org/pubs/reports/R896.html.
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