The fractal parameters of venusian physical surfaces

Abstract

© 2020 International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference. All rights reserved. This work focused on study fractal structures on Venus is performed on the basis of observations taken by the “Magellan” spacecraft (NASA). The equipment of this artificial satellite allowed scanning almost the entire surface of Venus using a radar with synthesized aperture of S-band (12 cm) and a microwave radiometer as well as investigating topography by the special radar - altimeter. The uncertainties in some data produced by “Magellan” were filled by the information that had been collected before - in “Venera 15”, “Venera 16”, and “Pioneer” missions. It is worth noting that the choice of basic level surface on Venus is defined by a certain value of potential or a point on its surface through which the geoid passes. As a result of this work, the topocentric observations were analyzed by the fractal method, and the following values of mean fractal dimension for Venus surface are obtained: in latitude - Dβ = 1.003; in longitude - Dλ = 0.98. Based on these values, we may conclude that the topographic model of Venus' physical surface is close to spherical figure. During the implementation of the work a digital map of Venus' surface is built, and its spatial model is created. The comparison between the obtained Venus fractal parameters with the ones of the Earth shows the good agreement. Currently, the main approaches to the study and description of processes in planetary systems are statistical and fractal methods. In particular, the robust method allows investigating the structure of complex objects taking into account their specific character, while fractal geometry allows studying not only the structure, but also the connection between structure and processes of its formation. In this respect, the problem of developing methods for recognizing fractal structures of planetary objects is relevant. As variations of Venus' physical surface represent a complex multiparameter system, its analysis should be conducted by means of complex physics methods, one of whose directions is fractal analysis.