A Workflow for Novice to Intermediate Individuals Creating Digital Elevation Models Using the NASA Ames Stereo Pipeline

Abstract

"Terraced fans are an unusual sedimentary deposit on Mars. One way to analyze these features is by using digital elevation models, also known as DEMs. Creating a DEM is a complex process, however, and requires knowledge of Unix commands and familiarity with Integrated Software for Imagers and Spectrometers (ISIS3). The steps needed to convert raw data from a satellite – in this case the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter – into the appropriate formats can be time-consuming and computationally intensive.

The purpose of this poster is to document the process for making DEMs using data from the Context Camera (CTX; resolution 6 m/pixel) and High Resolution Science Experiment (HiRISE; resolution 0.3 to 0.6 m/pixel). While the United States Geological Survey has tutorials covering some of the steps, the workflow shown here is for novice to intermediate users who have never created a DEM before. Two flow charts are presented: one to document the production of a CTX DEM and a second to document the production of a HiRISE DEM. The products of these workflows will be used for geologic mapping of terraced fans on Mars."