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%matplotlib inline
import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
The Mars Exploration Rover (MER) site is a treasure trove of multispectral planetary images. The two rovers each have the ability to image Mars through various color filters (in fact they can ONLY image through the filters). This means that in order to make a "true color" image you have to combine different filters into one pseudocolor image.
Your assignment is to create two pseudocolor RGB images from raw MER images.
For example: 1P320301053EFFABFNP2569R2M1.JPG
The important part is the bit in bold
The R means the image is from the Right camera
The 2 means that it was taken through filter 2.
The MER camera have many different bandpasses
The left camera has filters that are in the visible part of the spectrum. A pseudocolor visible color images can be made by using the filters 4,5, and 6 from the Left camera.
Go to the MER Site and pick a rover.
Pick a day with a lot of Panoramic Camera images (at least 20).
Find a Panoramic Camera scene you like with a full set of LEFT filters. You may have to look at many different days.
Only use the Full Frame EDR images.
Do NOT use images of the rover calibration target. The thing that looks like a small black post.
Download the 3 different Left camera filter images. (one in red, one green, one blue).
Create a pseudocolor RGB image from filters R = 4, G = 5, B = 6.
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The right camera has filters that are all in the near infrared. This is because rock minerals have lots of cool spectral features in the nearIR. In particular, the soil of Mars is very strong at very long wavelengths.
Find another Full Frame EDR Panoramic Camera scene with a full set of RIGHT filters.
Create a pseudocolor RGB image from filters R = 1, G = 2, B = 6.
Make the regions that are soil-rich bright in the blue channel (soil-rich regions should look blue).
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For the next Astro 300 class I am going to use a new online interface to the LaTeX scientific typesetting system. To do this, you will need to sign up for a free account on the ShareLaTeX system before the next class.
Remember your account name and password, we will use them during class.
Please use the following link to sign up for the system: https://www.sharelatex.com?r=f33161ec&rm=d&rs=b
When you have an account, change the XXXXXXXX to the correct info