Through the "eyes" of the thermal infrared: Observations and results from the surfaces of Mars and Earth

Michael Ramsey

Assistant Professor

Department of Geology and Planetary Science

University of Pittsburgh

Thermal infrared (TIR) ground- and space-based observations of Mars and the Earth have been ongoing since the earliest days of remote sensing. Mars missions in particular have carried numerous TIR instruments beginning with the Mariner satellites in the 1960's and continuing to the present day. At the moment, four thermal infrared instruments are collecting high spatial and spectral resolution data of Mars from orbit and the surface. Science results from these instruments are extensive and include: the identification of new surface units and minerals not previously noted on Mars; the behavior of the martian atmosphere and polar caps; and the thermophysical response of surface materials. The lineage of TIR data collection on Earth is neither as long nor as detailed as Mars remote sensing. Early TIROS weather satellites of the 1960's carried instruments with thermal infrared channels and the Landsat Thematic Mapper instrument provided the first high spatial resolution TIR images from orbit. However, it was not until the launch of the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument in late 1999 that routine multispectral, high spatial resolution TIR data became available from orbit. In the nearly five years of its operation ASTER has proven a great success for geologic mapping, volcanic and fire monitoring, as well as urban and hydrological analyses. It is therefore unfortunate that NASA has no apparent plans for the continuation of TIR data collection of the Earth in the post-ASTER era. Comparison of the instruments, policies, and personalities behind TIR data collection of Mars and Earth is illustrative for future science and policy directions. For this presentation, TIR data and science results for Mars and Earth will be highlighted with specific focus on the linkage between quantitative ground and space-borne data for each planet.