Surface emissivity retrieval from VIRTIS/VEX data in the Quetzalpetlatl quadrangle on Venus based on the new MSR multi-spectrum retrieval technique

Abstract

Surface emissivity is difficult and error-prone to retrieve from VIRTIS measurements of Venus’ nightside. A detailed radiative transfer forward model simulation is used to generate synthetic spectra for given atmospheric and surface parameters. The new MSR multi-spectrum retrieval technique is applied to retrieve atmospheric and surface parameters that allow the synthetic spectra to fit the measurements. The incorporation of expected spatial-temporal correlations between parameters describing a selection of contiguous measurements leads to much more reliable parameters, as does the retrieval of surface emissivity of a surface bin as a parameter that is common to measurements that repeatedly cover that bin, thereby neglecting geologic activity. The method is applied to Quetzalpetlatl quadrangle including the Lada Terra rise and the Quetzalpetlatl corona. This area combines corona-dominated rises, rifted volcanic rises, and large coronae structures. Retrieved emissivity at 1.02 μm is related to regional geologic units.