Mars Surface Multi-decadal Change Detection Using ISRO’s Mars Color Camera (MCC) and Viking Orbiter Images

Abstract

Mars is a dynamic and active planet in our solar system, which attracts humans due to different geological events continuously reshaping its surface. ISRO’s Mars Color Camera (MCC) onboard Mangalyaan spacecraft send more than thousand images of planet Mars at varying spatial resolution, which is of utmost importance for doing surface change detection over Mars. In this paper, we have described a methodology for automated change detection using MCC and Viking images having more than decade separation in image acquisition. The processing steps includes geometric transformation of Viking color image to the same size as MCC, image registration using SIFT based feature matching technique and automated change detection using multi-variate alteration detection (MAD). The workflow chain developed is tested in bi-temporal images from MCC and Viking having more than 20 years’ time span difference covering Esylum and Amentia quadrangles of Mars. The result shows the change detection map generated using MCC and Viking images, which focus the changing landscape of Mars due to wind streaks, dust deposits, landslides, lava flows and new impact craters formation.