Visualization of spectroscopy for remote surface operations

This work discusses the role that in-situ spectroscopy plays in remote surface operations and how effective visualization of spectra can benefit planning. We begin by discussing how spectroscopy was used in the Mars Pathfinder mission and field trials with a prototype of the Mars Exploration Rover, paying close attention to shortcomings in visualization that hamper science planning. Next, we will introduce two methods for improving visualization of spectra that will be used during the Mars Exploration Rover 2003 mission: image cubes and data fusion. Image cubes view a collection of spectra as a hyperspectral image and allows spectra to be enhanced using image processing algorithms. Data fusion places spectral data in the context of a conventional image by overlaying an image cube slice onto an image of the terrain. We demonstrate these techniques with examples of image cubes and data fusion using data from FIDO rover field trials. We conclude with a discussion of future directions for these visualization methods.