Tom Brosz wrote:
Don't we already have a Mars orbiter on the scene with IR capacity?
Alex writes:
Yes, both MGS TES and Odyssey THEMIS are/were scanning Mars in the IR.
Frankly, this whole issue of "true color" and Mars, whatever that means, is a canard. Most laypersons do not realize that IR and near-IR wavelengths are more diagnostic than anything approaching the visible wavelengths perceptiple to the human eye. This is why a human could not differentiate between a 100 m wide pile of Crisco on the Martian surface as opposed to, say, a 100 m wide pile of white chalk dust.
Even if a camera could be built to mimic the human eye response, its scientific utility is vastly inferior to instruments operating at other wavelengths. Remember, we fly instruments to Mars primarily to gather science, not to "take pretty pictures" for PR purposes. If the latter is an outgrowth of the former, then great.
Alex R. Blackwell
University of Hawaii
Space/Science » in reply to Green plant detection
Re: Green plant detection