M
mental_avenger
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<font color="yellow"> "missing data", how are the images received, do they scan from top left to bottom right, you know, a bit like old T.V tube cathode ray to form the image ? Is the image data loss from the transmission end or in between or the receiving end. </font><br /><br />The imaging, transmitting, receiving, and subsequent construction of the images is relatively complex. I have provided detailed explanations before. Here is a simplified version. The CCD image unit is scanned in the downtrack direction. Since the spacecraft is moving, the image is slightly skewed in that direction. The data is stored in a buffer, and later transmitted to Earth. The data is raw data, very very raw. It consists of pixel gray-scale (or color) information, relative pixel location, and time data. The data is received and stored in a buffer. There are between 5 and 12 steps required to manipulate the data to the point where it produces and image that we can see. Most people do not realize the complexity of this part of the process. This is where an image is transformed from the “catbox†type image to an image that looks like the actual site to a human eye.<br /><br />Also note that there is often either an overlap, or a gap, between two images that are of adjacent areas on the surface of a planet (or moon). In the case of an overlap, all the data is retained. In the case of a gap, the data is sometimes interpolated in an attempt to provide a continuous image.<br /><br />If you really are interested, and want more detailed information, I can provide it.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p style="margin-top:0in;margin-left:0in;margin-right:0in" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2" color="#ff0000"><strong>Our Solar System must be passing through a Non Sequitur area of space.</strong></font></p> </div>