Planetary Imaging in Powers of Ten: A Multiscale, Multipurpose Astrobiological Imager
Abstract
Contextual, multiscale astrobiological imaging is necessary to discover, map, and image patchy microbial colonization in extreme environments on planetary surfaces. The large difference in scale—several orders of magnitude—between search environment and microorganisms or microbial communities represents a challenge, which to date no single imaging instrument is able to overcome. In support of future planetary reconnaissance missions, we introduce an adapter-based imager, built from an off-the-shelf consumer digital camera, that offers scalable imaging ranging from macroscopic (meters per pixel) to microscopic (micrometers per pixel) imaging, that is, spanning at least 6 orders of magnitude. Magnification in digital cameras is governed by the native resolution of the CCD/CMOS chip of the camera, the distance between camera and object to be imaged (focal length), and the built-in optical and digital zoom. Both telezoom and macro mode alone are usually insufficient for microscopic imaging. Therefore, the focal distance has to be shortened, and the native CCD resolution of the camera has to be increased to attain a microscopic imaging capability. Our adapter-based imager bridges the gap between macroscopic and microscopic imaging, thereby enabling for the first time contextual astrobiological imaging with the same instrument. Real-world applications for astrobiology and planetary geology are discussed, and proof-of-concept imagery taken with our prototype is presented.
Additional Information
© 2013 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Submitted 4 August 2013. Accepted 12 October 2013. Online Ahead of Print: November 14, 2013. The work described in this publication was partially supported by Bausch & Lomb. Fink may have proprietary interest in the underlying adapter-based microscopic imaging technology as patents on behalf of the California Institute of Technology are issued. Sun, Mahaney, Kuhlman, and Schulze-Makuch have no proprietary interest.Attached Files
Published - Fink_2013_Astrobiol.pdf
Files
Name | Size | Download all |
---|---|---|
md5:8557a956ae51a6a3b955d32aea9bba30
|
946.8 kB | Preview Download |
Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 42828
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20131204-113456491
- Bausch & Lomb
- Created
-
2013-12-04Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
-
2021-11-10Created from EPrint's last_modified field