Randolph L Kirk, Ph.D.
Randolph Kirk’s research interests span both geoscience and mapping of planetary bodies. He has participated in many missions to the Moon, Venus, Mars, asteroids, comets, and icy satellites. He helped direct planetary mapping at the USGS since the early 1990s, and has developed practical methods for topomapping by shape from shading and by adapting commercial stereo workstations to planetary use.
Recent Accomplishments
- In 2020, NASA's Mars 2020 rover Perseverance landed in Jezero crater at a site mapped by the Astrogeology Science Center. Perseverence was the ninth Mars lander or rover to go to a site we mapped, all of which landed successfully. (Starting in 1962, 10 Mars landings attempted without USGS mapping failed for a variety of reasons. Just days before Perseverence the Chinese landerTianwen-1 became the first such mission to succeed.) Perseverance also carried our maps onboard and used them to guide its final descent, a technological first.
- We are helping to design and caibrate the Europa Imaging System (EIS) cameras for NASA's Europa Clipper mission and to develop software and procedures for making controlled image and topographic maps. As part of this task, we invented and demonstrated a new technique for correcting distortions in frame images that are read out line-by-line so that they can be used for precision mapping.
- We have used stereo images of Mars obtained by different cameras with pixel scales differing up to 50x to assess the resolution and precision of digital topographic models obtained under real-world (Mars) conditions. We are currently using similar techniques with images of Earth’s Moon to quantify how topographic models can be improved by photoclinometry (shape from shading) techniques using one or multiple images.
Education
- Ph.D., Planetary Science, Minor in Physics, California Institute of Technology, January 1987
- M.S., Planetary Science, California Institute of Technology, June 1984
- B.S., Physics, Stanford University, June 1981
Space Mission Participation
- Member, Europa Imaging System Science Team, May 2015–Present
- Member, ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter CaSSIS Science Team, August 2010–Present
- Member, LRO and Chandrayaan-1 Mini-RF Science Teams, July 2006–Present
- Member, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter HiRISE Science Team, December 2001–Present
- Member, Mars Exploration Rovers Science Team, August 2000–June 2018
- Associate, Deep Space 1 MICAS Science Team, March 2000–December 2002
- Participating Scientist, NEAR MSI/NIS Team, August 1999–July 2001
- Associate, Imager for Mars Pathfinder Science Team, July 1996–August 1998
- Member, Mars Express HRSC Science Team, January 2000–March 2020
- Associate, Mars 96 HRSC/WAOSS Science Team, March 1993–December 1996
- Member, Cassini RADAR Instrument Team, December 1990–September 2018
- Magellan Guest Investigator, October 1990–September 1994
- Associate, Voyager Imaging Science Team, 1989
Working Groups
- Member, IAU Working Group on Cartographic Coords & Rotational Elements, August 2012–present
- Member, NASA Lunar Geodesy/Cartography Working Group, December 2007–present
- Member, NASA Mars Geodesy/Cartography Working Group, June 1998–present
- Member, ISPRS Working Group “Planetary Mapping & Remote Sensing”, November 1996–present
- Chair, November 2000-October 2004, Co-Chair, Nove
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 163
Cassini radar views the surface of Titan
The Cassini Titan Radar Mapper imaged about 1% of Titan's surface at a resolution of ∼0.5 kilometer, and larger areas of the globe in lower resolution modes. The images reveal a complex surface, with areas of low relief and a variety of geologic features suggestive of dome-like volcanic constructs, flows, and sinuous channels. The surface appears to be young, with few impact craters. Scattering an
Authors
C. Elachi, S. Wall, M. Allison, Y. Anderson, R. Boehmer, P. Callahan, P. Encrenaz, E. Flamini, G. Franceschetti, Y. Gim, G. Hamilton, S. Hensley, M. Janssen, W. Johnson, K. Kelleher, Randolph L. Kirk, R. Lopes, R. Lorenz, J. Lunine, D. Muhleman, S. Ostro, F. Paganelli, G. Picardi, F. Posa, L. Roth, R. Seu, S. Shaffer, Laurence A. Soderblom, B. Stiles, E. Stofan, S. Vetrella, R. West, C. Wood, L. Wye, H. Zebker
Photogrammetric analysis of the Mars Global Surveyor mapping data
This paper studies the photogrammetric mapping properties and capabilities of the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) mapping data. Starting from the raw MGS data, we decompress the MOC narrow angle images, extract, and calculate their exterior orientation from the SPICE kernels, and calculate the 3D coordinates of MOLA footprints from MOLA PEDR files. A new approach is proposed that registers a MOLA profi
Authors
Jie Shan, Jong-suk Yoon, D. Scott Lee, Randolph L. Kirk, Gregory Neumann, Charles H. Acton
Rain, winds and haze during the Huygens probe's descent to Titan's surface
The irreversible conversion of methane into higher hydrocarbons in Titan's stratosphere implies a surface or subsurface methane reservoir. Recent measurements from the cameras aboard the Cassini orbiter fail to see a global reservoir, but the methane and smog in Titan's atmosphere impedes the search for hydrocarbons on the surface. Here we report spectra and high-resolution images obtained by the
Authors
M.G. Tomasko, B. Archinal, T. Becker, B. Bezard, M. Bushroe, M. Combes, D. Cook, A. Coustenis, C. De Bergh, L.E. Dafoe, L. Doose, S. Doute, A. Eibl, S. Engel, F. Gliem, B. Grieger, K. Holso, E. Howington-Kraus, E. Karkoschka, H.U. Keller, Randolph L. Kirk, R. Kramm, M. Kuppers, P. Lanagan, E. Lellouch, M. Lemmon, J. Lunine, E. McFarlane, J. Moores, G.M. Prout, B. Rizk, M. Rosiek, P. Rueffer, S.E. Schroder, B. Schmitt, C. See, P. Smith, Laurence A. Soderblom, N. Thomas, R. West
RADAR: The Cassini Titan Radar Mapper
The Cassini RADAR instrument is a multimode 13.8 GHz multiple-beam sensor that can operate as a synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) imager, altimeter, scatterometer, and radiometer. The principal objective of the RADAR is to map the surface of Titan. This will be done in the imaging, scatterometer, and radiometer modes. The RADAR altimeter data will provide information on relative elevations in selecte
Authors
C. Elachi, M.D. Allison, L. Borgarelli, P. Encrenaz, E. Im, M.A. Janssen, W.T.K. Johnson, Randolph L. Kirk, R. D. Lorenz, J. I. Lunine, D.O. Muhleman, S.J. Ostro, G. Picardi, F. Posa, C.G. Rapley, L.E. Roth, R. Seu, Laurence A. Soderblom, S. Vetrella, S. D. Wall, C. A. Wood, H. A. Zebker
Topographic mapping of Mars: From hectometer to micrometer scales
We describe USGS topomapping of Mars at resolutions from 100 m to 30 µm with data from the latest spacecraft missions. Analysis of NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) data combining daytime visible reflected, daytime IR emitted, and nighttime IR emitted images allows us to isolate the physical effects of topography, albedo, and thermal inertia. To a good approximation t
Authors
Randolph L. Kirk, Steven W. Squyres, Gerhard Neukum
A new Mars Digital Image Model (MDIM 2.1) control network
The U.S. Geological Survey has recently completed a final revised version of its 231 m/pixel global Viking image mosaic of Mars that has substantially improved geodetic accuracy compared to versions released in 1991 and 2001. This mosaic, known as MDIM 2.1, is currently available in the USGS ISIS file format (see http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/Projects/MDIM21/) and will be formatted and submitted to
Authors
Brent A. Archinal, Ella M. Lee, Randolph L. Kirk, T. C. Duxbury, Robert M. Sucharski, Debbie Cook, Janet M. Barrett
A new Mars Digital Image Model (MDIM 2.1) control network
The U.S. Geological Survey has recently completed a final revised version of its 231 m/pixel global Viking image mosaic of Mars that has substantially improved geodetic accuracy compared to versions released in 1991 and 2001. This mosaic, known as MDIM 2.1, is currently available in the USGS ISIS file format and will be formatted and submitted to the NASA Planetary Data System (PDS) in the near fu
Authors
Brent A. Archinal, Ella M. Lee, Randolph L. Kirk, T. C. Duxbury, Robert M. Sucharski, Debbie Cook, Janet M. Barrett
Preparing for THEMIS controlled global Mars mosaics
We have begun work to prepare for producing controlled 2001 Mars Odyssey THEMIS infrared (IR) and visible (VIS) global mosaics of Mars. This effort is being coordinated with colleagues from Arizona State University and on the THEMIS team who plan to address radiometric issues in making such mosaics. We are concentrating on geometric issues. Several areas of investigation are now in progress, inclu
Authors
Brent A. Archinal, Lynn A. Weller, Stuart C. Sides, Glen E. Cushing, Randolph L. Kirk, Laurence A. Soderblom, T. C. Duxbury
Comparison of USGS and DLR topographic models of Comet Borrelly and photometric applications
Stereo analysis of images obtained during the 2001 flyby of Comet Borrelly by NASA's Deep Space 1 (DS1) probe allows us to quantify the shape and photometric behavior of the nucleus. The shape is complex, with planar facets corresponding to the dark, mottled regions of the surface whereas the bright, smooth regions are convexly curved. The photometric as well as textural differences between these
Authors
Randolph L. Kirk, Elpitha Howington-Kraus, Laurence A. Soderblom, Bernd Giese, Jürgen Oberst
Imaging Borrelly
The nucleus, coma, and dust jets of short-period Comet 19P/Borrelly were imaged from the Deep Space 1 spacecraft during its close flyby in September 2001. A prominent jet dominated the near-nucleus coma and emanated roughly normal to the long axis of nucleus from a broad central cavity. We show it to have remained fixed in position for more than 34 hr, much longer than the 26-hr rotation period. T
Authors
Laurence A. Soderblom, D. C. Boice, D.T. Britt, R. H. Brown, B. J. Buratti, Randolph L. Kirk, M. Lee, R.M. Nelson, J. Oberst, B.R. Sandel, S. A. Stern, N. Thomas, R.V. Yelle
The nucleus of Comet Borrelly: A study of morphology and surface brightness
Stereo images obtained during the DS1 flyby were analyzed to derive a topographic model for the nucleus of Comet 19P/Borrelly for morphologic and photometric studies. The elongated nucleus has an overall concave shape, resembling a peanut, with the lower end tilted towards the camera. The bimodal character of surface-slopes and curvatures support the idea that the nucleus is a gravitational aggreg
Authors
J. Oberst, Elpitha Howington-Kraus, Randolph L. Kirk, Laurence A. Soderblom, B. Buratti, M. Hicks, R. Nelson, D. Britt
Short-wavelength infrared (1.3-2.6 μm) observations of the nucleus of Comet 19P/Borrelly
During the last two minutes before closest approach of Deep Space 1 to Comet 19P/Borrelly, a long exposure was made with the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) imaging spectrometer. The observation yielded 46 spectra covering 1.3–2.6 μm; the footprint of each spectrum was ∼160 m × width of the nucleus. Borrelly's highly variegated and extremely dark 8-km-long nucleus exhibits a strong red slope in i
Authors
Laurence A. Soderblom, D.T. Britt, R. H. Brown, B. J. Buratti, Randolph L. Kirk, T.C. Owen, R.V. Yelle
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 163
Cassini radar views the surface of Titan
The Cassini Titan Radar Mapper imaged about 1% of Titan's surface at a resolution of ∼0.5 kilometer, and larger areas of the globe in lower resolution modes. The images reveal a complex surface, with areas of low relief and a variety of geologic features suggestive of dome-like volcanic constructs, flows, and sinuous channels. The surface appears to be young, with few impact craters. Scattering an
Authors
C. Elachi, S. Wall, M. Allison, Y. Anderson, R. Boehmer, P. Callahan, P. Encrenaz, E. Flamini, G. Franceschetti, Y. Gim, G. Hamilton, S. Hensley, M. Janssen, W. Johnson, K. Kelleher, Randolph L. Kirk, R. Lopes, R. Lorenz, J. Lunine, D. Muhleman, S. Ostro, F. Paganelli, G. Picardi, F. Posa, L. Roth, R. Seu, S. Shaffer, Laurence A. Soderblom, B. Stiles, E. Stofan, S. Vetrella, R. West, C. Wood, L. Wye, H. Zebker
Photogrammetric analysis of the Mars Global Surveyor mapping data
This paper studies the photogrammetric mapping properties and capabilities of the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) mapping data. Starting from the raw MGS data, we decompress the MOC narrow angle images, extract, and calculate their exterior orientation from the SPICE kernels, and calculate the 3D coordinates of MOLA footprints from MOLA PEDR files. A new approach is proposed that registers a MOLA profi
Authors
Jie Shan, Jong-suk Yoon, D. Scott Lee, Randolph L. Kirk, Gregory Neumann, Charles H. Acton
Rain, winds and haze during the Huygens probe's descent to Titan's surface
The irreversible conversion of methane into higher hydrocarbons in Titan's stratosphere implies a surface or subsurface methane reservoir. Recent measurements from the cameras aboard the Cassini orbiter fail to see a global reservoir, but the methane and smog in Titan's atmosphere impedes the search for hydrocarbons on the surface. Here we report spectra and high-resolution images obtained by the
Authors
M.G. Tomasko, B. Archinal, T. Becker, B. Bezard, M. Bushroe, M. Combes, D. Cook, A. Coustenis, C. De Bergh, L.E. Dafoe, L. Doose, S. Doute, A. Eibl, S. Engel, F. Gliem, B. Grieger, K. Holso, E. Howington-Kraus, E. Karkoschka, H.U. Keller, Randolph L. Kirk, R. Kramm, M. Kuppers, P. Lanagan, E. Lellouch, M. Lemmon, J. Lunine, E. McFarlane, J. Moores, G.M. Prout, B. Rizk, M. Rosiek, P. Rueffer, S.E. Schroder, B. Schmitt, C. See, P. Smith, Laurence A. Soderblom, N. Thomas, R. West
RADAR: The Cassini Titan Radar Mapper
The Cassini RADAR instrument is a multimode 13.8 GHz multiple-beam sensor that can operate as a synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) imager, altimeter, scatterometer, and radiometer. The principal objective of the RADAR is to map the surface of Titan. This will be done in the imaging, scatterometer, and radiometer modes. The RADAR altimeter data will provide information on relative elevations in selecte
Authors
C. Elachi, M.D. Allison, L. Borgarelli, P. Encrenaz, E. Im, M.A. Janssen, W.T.K. Johnson, Randolph L. Kirk, R. D. Lorenz, J. I. Lunine, D.O. Muhleman, S.J. Ostro, G. Picardi, F. Posa, C.G. Rapley, L.E. Roth, R. Seu, Laurence A. Soderblom, S. Vetrella, S. D. Wall, C. A. Wood, H. A. Zebker
Topographic mapping of Mars: From hectometer to micrometer scales
We describe USGS topomapping of Mars at resolutions from 100 m to 30 µm with data from the latest spacecraft missions. Analysis of NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) data combining daytime visible reflected, daytime IR emitted, and nighttime IR emitted images allows us to isolate the physical effects of topography, albedo, and thermal inertia. To a good approximation t
Authors
Randolph L. Kirk, Steven W. Squyres, Gerhard Neukum
A new Mars Digital Image Model (MDIM 2.1) control network
The U.S. Geological Survey has recently completed a final revised version of its 231 m/pixel global Viking image mosaic of Mars that has substantially improved geodetic accuracy compared to versions released in 1991 and 2001. This mosaic, known as MDIM 2.1, is currently available in the USGS ISIS file format (see http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/Projects/MDIM21/) and will be formatted and submitted to
Authors
Brent A. Archinal, Ella M. Lee, Randolph L. Kirk, T. C. Duxbury, Robert M. Sucharski, Debbie Cook, Janet M. Barrett
A new Mars Digital Image Model (MDIM 2.1) control network
The U.S. Geological Survey has recently completed a final revised version of its 231 m/pixel global Viking image mosaic of Mars that has substantially improved geodetic accuracy compared to versions released in 1991 and 2001. This mosaic, known as MDIM 2.1, is currently available in the USGS ISIS file format and will be formatted and submitted to the NASA Planetary Data System (PDS) in the near fu
Authors
Brent A. Archinal, Ella M. Lee, Randolph L. Kirk, T. C. Duxbury, Robert M. Sucharski, Debbie Cook, Janet M. Barrett
Preparing for THEMIS controlled global Mars mosaics
We have begun work to prepare for producing controlled 2001 Mars Odyssey THEMIS infrared (IR) and visible (VIS) global mosaics of Mars. This effort is being coordinated with colleagues from Arizona State University and on the THEMIS team who plan to address radiometric issues in making such mosaics. We are concentrating on geometric issues. Several areas of investigation are now in progress, inclu
Authors
Brent A. Archinal, Lynn A. Weller, Stuart C. Sides, Glen E. Cushing, Randolph L. Kirk, Laurence A. Soderblom, T. C. Duxbury
Comparison of USGS and DLR topographic models of Comet Borrelly and photometric applications
Stereo analysis of images obtained during the 2001 flyby of Comet Borrelly by NASA's Deep Space 1 (DS1) probe allows us to quantify the shape and photometric behavior of the nucleus. The shape is complex, with planar facets corresponding to the dark, mottled regions of the surface whereas the bright, smooth regions are convexly curved. The photometric as well as textural differences between these
Authors
Randolph L. Kirk, Elpitha Howington-Kraus, Laurence A. Soderblom, Bernd Giese, Jürgen Oberst
Imaging Borrelly
The nucleus, coma, and dust jets of short-period Comet 19P/Borrelly were imaged from the Deep Space 1 spacecraft during its close flyby in September 2001. A prominent jet dominated the near-nucleus coma and emanated roughly normal to the long axis of nucleus from a broad central cavity. We show it to have remained fixed in position for more than 34 hr, much longer than the 26-hr rotation period. T
Authors
Laurence A. Soderblom, D. C. Boice, D.T. Britt, R. H. Brown, B. J. Buratti, Randolph L. Kirk, M. Lee, R.M. Nelson, J. Oberst, B.R. Sandel, S. A. Stern, N. Thomas, R.V. Yelle
The nucleus of Comet Borrelly: A study of morphology and surface brightness
Stereo images obtained during the DS1 flyby were analyzed to derive a topographic model for the nucleus of Comet 19P/Borrelly for morphologic and photometric studies. The elongated nucleus has an overall concave shape, resembling a peanut, with the lower end tilted towards the camera. The bimodal character of surface-slopes and curvatures support the idea that the nucleus is a gravitational aggreg
Authors
J. Oberst, Elpitha Howington-Kraus, Randolph L. Kirk, Laurence A. Soderblom, B. Buratti, M. Hicks, R. Nelson, D. Britt
Short-wavelength infrared (1.3-2.6 μm) observations of the nucleus of Comet 19P/Borrelly
During the last two minutes before closest approach of Deep Space 1 to Comet 19P/Borrelly, a long exposure was made with the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) imaging spectrometer. The observation yielded 46 spectra covering 1.3–2.6 μm; the footprint of each spectrum was ∼160 m × width of the nucleus. Borrelly's highly variegated and extremely dark 8-km-long nucleus exhibits a strong red slope in i
Authors
Laurence A. Soderblom, D.T. Britt, R. H. Brown, B. J. Buratti, Randolph L. Kirk, T.C. Owen, R.V. Yelle