Method for crater detection from Martian digital topography data using gradient value/orientation, morphometry, votes-analysis, slip-tuning and calibration

Recently, all the craters from the major currently available manually assembled catalogues have been merged into the catalogue with 57633 known Martian impact-craters. This paper presents a new Crater Detection Algorithm (CDA) for search of still uncatalogued impact-craters. The CDA is based on fuzzy edge detectors and Radon/Hough transform, and utilizes digital topography data instead of image data. The critical parts of the method providing increased accuracy are: (1) gradient value/orientation-based techniques ; (2) automated morphometry measurements of depth/diameter ratio, circularity, topographiccross- profile, rim, central peak, and radial range where the crater is preserved ; (3) circularity analysis of votes in parameter space ; (4) slip-tuning of detected craters’ parameters ; and (5) calibration which partially compensates differences in morphology between small and large craters. Using the framework for evaluation of CDAs, in comparison with prior work, the proposed detector shows significantly larger: (1) area under the free-response receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) ; and (2) number of correct detections. Using the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter data as input, the CDA proposed numerous candidates for GT-57633 catalogue extension. After the manual survey of all proposed craters and rejection of false detections, 57592 impact-craters were confirmed as correct detections. The accompanying result to the CDA is a new GT-115225 catalogue.