Mapping ratio for solid planetary objects in Solar System

h2ouniverse · Jan 17, 2008

Hi all, As we discuss surface mapping ratio for Mercury these days, I was wondering whether a status was kept in the Solar System. Could not find some. Can we use this thread as a recap? If you provide info, I will update the initial mail accordingly. I suggest we define mapping as "imaged from an orbiter or a by-flyer", not counting observations from Earth and Hubble. As a matter of fact, resolution is a major factor. (to be associated with the ratio ideally). I have considered objects larger than 400km (Mimas as the limit). Most values for moons of giant planets are approximate, AFAIK, and considering a fair resolution by Voyagers' standard (not counting fuzzy images). Please help if you have more accurate figures. Bodies are ranked by decreasing order of alledged diameter. Remaining area to be mapped is given in millions of squared kilometers. Earth_____ 100 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 0,00 M.km2 Venus_____ 98 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 9,21 M.km2 Mars______ 100 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 0,00 M.km2 Ganymede__ 99 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 0,87 M.km2 Titan_____ 80 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 16,66 M.km2 Mercury___ 75 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 18,70 M.km2 Callisto__ 90 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 7,30 M.km2 Io________ 95 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 2,08 M.km2 Moon______ 100 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 0,00 M.km2 Europa____ 95 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 1,53 M.km2 Triton____ 30 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 16.11 M.km2 Eris______ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 18,10 M.km2 Pluto_____ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 16,71 M.km2 2005FY9___ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 8,04 M.km2 Titania___ 45 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 4,30 M.km2 Rhea______ 85 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 1,10 M.km2 Oberon____ 40 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 4,37 M.km2 2003EL61___ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 7,07 M.km2 Sedna_____ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 6,97 M.k

nimbus · Jan 18, 2008

I don't know much about web page making, but I'm tempted to learn the basics just to make that a sortable list. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

brellis · Jan 18, 2008

Another angle on the dangle, so to speak: Bodies of (edit

liquid mapped: Earth - yes Europa - unconfirmed Titan - unconfirmed Atmospheres mapped: Earth - google Venus - Wikipedia Mars - wikipedia Titan - somewhat Enceladus - a tantalizing little bit Pluto - not yet! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better. </div>

brellis · Jan 18, 2008

Then, you think about the gas planets. We sent Galileo on a final, fatal plunge into Jupiter. Will Cassini accomplish the same feat as its final act? What about Neptune and Uranus? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better. </div>

h2ouniverse · Jan 18, 2008

To Nimbus: actually I made it on Excel and cut and pasted only some fields so I can sort it at libitum and/or send it to you in a PM.

h2ouniverse · Jan 18, 2008

To brellis: Brad, although the list stands for "solid" bodies" it gives actually the solid+liquid visible surface including ice shelves. We should have ideally a list of oceans/sea/lakes floor mapping ratio (Earth, Io's sulphur lakes floors, Europa subsurface ocean floor, Titan's methane seas floors...). I'm not even sure than we would get to 100% even on Earth!

silylene old · Jan 18, 2008

Neptune's 'surface' might be liquid water mixed with ammonia, under high pressure, according to many models. (The transition from atmosphere to 'surface' is likely gradual, and not an abrupt phase change boundry.) Uranus might also be similar. Of course, I cannot imaging any reasonable way to image the 'surface' of either planet. Probably featureless anyways. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - </div><div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center">I really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function. </div> </div>

h2ouniverse · Jan 18, 2008

indeed. Uranus and Neptune should have no specific transition from gas to liquid (supercritcal water ammonia). They might though have a "surface" between this supercritical ocean and the rocky cores but so deep... (Uranus core is thought to be very small). Titan and Ganymede might have subsurface oceans with theoretically a floor to map (and a roof!). But as their floor is supposed to be hot ice, not rock, the interface should change quite dynamically and be featureless. Note: If one day they find a "pontic" planet (ever-Black Sea world!) intermediate between Uranus/Neptune and Pluto/Eris, such that the water-ammonia ocean is liquid, then we can hope for a open air surface. But until then... no other free liquid surface than: * Earth's oceans * Io's sulphur / lava lakes * Titan's methane/ethane(?) lakes

nuaetius · Jan 18, 2008

I wonder if there is a market rate to get mapping data on each of these bodies. It would be interesting to see an organization have standing offers on mapping data for each of these bodies. If there was an Xprize type reward stated for each of these bodies (even if they where ridiculously low), I think there would be more interest in them. Some of the inner solar system bodies you could get mapping data with a small-sat if I am not mistaken.

brellis · Jan 18, 2008

Here's a cool page of planetary maps, including Mercury updated today! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better. </div>

h2ouniverse · Jan 19, 2008

Mercury is very expensive fuel-wise. More than 18km/s difference between Earth's and Mercury's velocities. As much as a mission to Saturn. (BepiColombo has to use plasmic prop) An Outer mission can be relatively cheap provided that the grav well of your target is shallow (excludes moons too close to Giants!!) and that you are not in a hurry, patient enough to wait for a slow cruise.

h2ouniverse · Jan 19, 2008

Top 20 arranged by decreasing area of uncharted territory, if that was to determine incentives... Mercury___ 75 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 18,70 M.km2 Eris______ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 18,10 M.km2 Pluto_____ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 16,71 M.km2 Titan_____ 80 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 16,66 M.km2 Triton____ 30 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 16,11 M.km2 Venus_____ 98 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 9,21 M.km2 2005FY9___ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 8,04 M.km2 Callisto__ 90 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 7,30 M.km2 2003EL61___ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 7,07 M.km2 Sedna_____ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 6,97 M.km2 Quaoar____ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 4,99 M.km2 Charon____ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 4,61 M.km2 Oberon____ 40 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 4,37 M.km2 Titania___ 45 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 4,30 M.km2 2002TC302_ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 3,46 M.km2 Ceres_____ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 2,84 M.km2 Ariel_____ 33 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 2,82 M.km2 Orcus_____ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 2,81 M.km2 Umbriel___ 35 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 2,80 M.km2 Varuna____ 0 %_mapped_____Remaining_area: 2,38 M.km2 Mercury, Pluto, Charon, Ceres, Titan, are already under way. That should be used too as a criterion for future missions: You would get by that measure: 1) mission to Eris (19 mlns km2), more if one or two other big TNOs on the way (say e.g. one plutino @35 AU and one far classical belt object @45-50AU) 2) to Neptunian system (17 mlns km2) 3) to Uranian system (14 mlns km2)

nuaetius · Jan 19, 2008

But my question would be who would pony up the money for the exploration systems? I asume that you could sell nameing rights to the craft "The Coca-Cola Titan Expolorer" has a horible feel to it. Beyond that your only sources of funding would be University labor and government grants. Is that correct?

h2ouniverse · Jan 19, 2008

I'm afraid it is... You might also get some very rich individuals ready to put say 50mlns into it, for publicity and/or desire to leave something to posterity. E.g. the ones not able or not ready to risk their lives in orbital flights. Or wanting to be "first" somewhere. (Once some dozens of famous rich people will have done orbital flights&trips, the attractiveness in terms of media coverage will considerably decrease). May give two or three such missions.

mrjlh · Jan 22, 2008

A little Excel trickery will do the job for you (spread sheet attached): "Earth 100 %mappedRemainingarea: 0,00 M.km2" "Mars 100 %mappedRemainingarea: 0,00 M.km2" "Moon 100 %mappedRemainingarea: 0,00 M.km2" "Ganymede 99 %mappedRemainingarea: 0,87 M.km2" "Venus 98 %mappedRemainingarea: 9,21 M.km2" "Io 95 %mappedRemainingarea: 2,08 M.km2" "Europa 95 %mappedRemainingarea: 1,53 M.km2" "Callisto 90 %mappedRemainingarea: 7,30 M.km2" "Rhea 85 %mappedRemainingarea: 1,10 M.km2" "Dione 85 %mappedRemainingarea: 0,59 M.km2" "Titan 80 %mappedRemainingarea: 16,66 M.km2" "Iapetus 80 %mappedRemainingarea: 1,36 M.km2" "Tethys 80 %mappedRemainingarea: 0,71 M.km2" "Enceladus 80 %mappedRemainingarea: 0,16 M.km2" "Mercury 75 %mappedRemainingarea: 18,70 M.km2" "Mimas 75 %mappedRemainingarea: 0,12 M.km2" "Titania 45 %mappedRemainingarea: 4,30 M.km2" "Miranda 45 %mappedRemainingarea: 0,38 M.km2" "Oberon 40 %mappedRemainingarea: 4,37 M.km2" "Umbriel 35 %mappedRemainingarea: 2,80 M.km2" "Proteus 35 %mappedRemainingarea: 0,36 M.km2" "Ariel 33 %mappedRemainingarea: 2,82 M.km2" Triton 30 %mappedRemainingarea: 16.11 M.km2 "Eris 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 18,10 M.km2" "Pluto 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 16,71 M.km2" "2005FY9 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 8,04 M.km2" "2003EL61 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 7,07 M.km2" "Sedna 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 6,97 M.km2" "Quaoar 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 4,99 M.km2" "Charon 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 4,61 M.km2" "2002TC302 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 3,46 M.km2" "Ceres 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 2,84 M.km2" "Orcus 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 2,81 M.km2" "Varuna 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 2,38 M.km2" "2002UX25 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 2,21 M.km2" "Ixion 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 2,12 M.km2" "2006QH181 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 1,77 M.km2" "2002MS4 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 1,67 M.km2" "2003MW12 0 %mappedRemainingarea: 1,67 M.km2" "2005RN43 0 %

mrjlh · Jan 22, 2008

Sorry wouldn't let me attach spreadsheet. I also see I missed a couple of spots which I'll clean up and repost only if it's important to you.

3488 · Jan 22, 2008

Worth noting that Mercury will be approx 95% mapped come Monday 6th October 2008, as during the Mercury 2 encounter with MESSENGER, Mercury will be turned the other way as during the encounter this month. During October's encounter, much of the terrain missed by Mariner 10 & MESSENGER will be visible inbound, where as Mariner 10 imaged areas will be visible outbound. The Caloris Basin will not be visible as the entire feature will be on the night side, but the Skinakas Basin will be in full view, close to the evening terminator inbound. Also when DAWN arrives, 4 Vesta & 1 Ceres will be both 100%. New Horizons, with the LORRI camera, in theory both Pluto & Charon should be both about 75% mapped come encounter time?? If the 2 Pallas encounter happens with DAWN during a possible extended mission, then 2 Pallas will be at least 50%, possibly more, during & after closest approach. The Uranian moons will be interesting, shame that there appears to be no real development there, but at least Mercury (long overdue, considering its proximity to Earth, what we can learn about terrestrial planet formation, etc), 1 Ceres, 4 Vesta, Pluto & Charon, as well as the main Saturn moons are being done. It is good to see those figures for Jupiter's Galileans. Neptune's Triton, Dwarf Planet Eris, etc seem to be off limits for the time being. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

h2ouniverse · Jan 22, 2008

actually my estimates for Jovian and Saturnian moons are very approximate. May be you have better figures Andrew?

Pooua · Jan 23, 2008

Something that bothers me is saying that Mars is 100% mapped. I suppose that is true; but, here we are, still mapping it. You mention resolution is important, but that is the last that I saw it mentioned. Considering that our current mapping efforts all involve increased resolution (and sometimes coverage), it seems like we should have some way to designate % mapped at a certain resolution.

nimbus · Jan 23, 2008

Thanks ! H2OUniverse sent me his original spreadsheet. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

h2ouniverse · Jan 23, 2008

You're right Pooua, Ideally, this table should have several columns, each with % resolved at better than xx meters... Actually, I cannot even get the figures for this table for rough "Voyager-like resolution" and do not dare to dream of the %-resolution table. But if you have figures as a function of resolution, in particular for Mars, please tell!

Pooua · Jan 23, 2008

All I have is what I google. I know that Mars is completely mapped down to about 1 km resolution, because these guysdo it just about every day. (Be sure to check out this fantastic QT video of weekly Martian weather images: Martian Weather Between 14 January 2008 and 20 January 2008 Additionally, I found that a year ago, 25% of the Martian surface was mapped down to 200 meters, and CRISM is mapping Mars down to 20 meters resolution. CRISM: Looking with New Eyes for the Next Mars Landing Site I suppose that I could find more if I kept looking, but I don't have time to do that just now.

brellis · Jan 28, 2008

Interesting article here: Emily Lakdawalla did some back-of-the-envelope calculations on her 25 Jan blog: This morning, someone asked me how I arrived at the statement that, prior to the first MESSENGER flyby, Mercury had the largest as-yet-unseen surface area of any body in the solar system. Here's the calculation, which you might challenge your kids to try at home if you're feeling evil. For those of you who haven't finished 8th grade math, you calculate the surface area of a sphere using the formula: area = 4Ï€r2, or, alternatively, Ï€ times the square of the diameter. So, Mercury is 4,878 kilometers in diameter. Call it 5 thousand. Pi is about 3, so the surface area is about 3 times 5 times 5 times a million, or 75 million square kilometers. Mariner 10 imaged slightly less than half of that, so the un-imaged area is a little more than half of that, so call it 40 million square kilometers. So she has Mercury at about 50% unmapped prior to the MESSENGER flyby. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better. </div>

brellis · Jan 30, 2008

Interesting BBC Article cites 75% mapped post MESSENGER <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> The article discusses further evidence of Mercury's volcanic past. NASA-tv had a press conference about MESSENGER this morning. They had some cool ani's showing the path through Mercury's magnetosphere. There's another list, hehe. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better. </div>

h2ouniverse · Feb 2, 2008

The CASSIE tool (see Missions thread) enables to display the maps of the Saturnian moons as spheres. It's difficult to get the percentage of uncharted territory. About 10 to 15% if we include ultra-low resolution areas. My figures in my intital post are probably a bit pessimistic.

Mapping ratio for solid planetary objects in Solar System

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