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Statistical model of a flooded random surface and applications to lunar terrain

1967; American Geophysical Union; Volume: 72; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1029/jz072i006p01721

2156-2202

Allan H. Marcus,

Image Processing and 3D Reconstruction

A mathematical model is developed for a flooded Gaussian surface (singly censored below) as a possible description of rough lunar and planetary terrain on a scale of meters and larger. The model is applied to Jaeger and Schuring's unpublished estimates of the autocorrelation function of terrain in Mare Cognitum photographed by Ranger 7. The theoretical distribution provides a good fit to the observed elevation frequencies in Mare Cognitum. Applications to radar and radio echo studies are considered; the flooded Gaussian surface naturally explains a high radio echo power at low angles of incidence. The flooded Gaussian surface furnishes a much better description of the lunar surface than an unflooded surface or a surface singly censored above.