Detection of regolith buried water stream channels on Mars with the help of synthetic aperture radar Original Research Article

A major theme in the study of Mars is the search for evidence that water was present in the past or is present today, either at or below the surface. Biological life is connected to water. Hence much research is focused on the detection of water stream channels, which in the past flowed on Mars. In these areas, the petrified remains of the former life on Mars may be found. These channels may be under the regolith layer; however, the radio wave penetrating ability allows for the detection of these channels under the regolith. In this work, a model based on the geometrical optics representations of signal formation from the reflection of radio waves from the regolith buried channel is developed. It is supposed, that on Mars bedrock (ledge rocks) are closed by regolith. Using certain assumptions of the electric properties of the regolith and bedrock, a radar image of the channel can be constructed. The optimum wavelength for detection of the channels, now buried by the regolith, is determined. The analysis of the reflected signal level dependence on the angle from which the synthetic aperture radar is directed at the planet’s surface is carried out. Is established, that the optimum wavelength for detection of regolith buried channels sharply depends on tangent of regolith losses angle and thickness of its upper layer. Depending on parameter C describing degree of surface roughness in scale, which is more than wavelength, the optimum wavelength changes little.