What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the positional accuracies of regional controlled mosaics created from Lunar images and establish their scientific utility.

February 8, 2026Open Access

Photogrammetric Processing of Regional ShadowCam and LROC NAC Controlled Mosaics, Evaluation of Positional Accuracies, and Scientific Applications

Key Points

To evaluate the positional accuracies of regional controlled mosaics created from Lunar images and establish their scientific utility.
Produced controlled mosaics from LROC NAC and ShadowCam images.
Conducted accuracy analysis using bundle adjustment results.
Evaluated median positional offsets for LROC NAC controlled mosaics.
Median positional offsets for NAC controlled mosaics were <12 m in latitude and <5 m in longitude.
Demonstrated high-resolution imaging improves geomorphic analysis and mission planning.
Validated the utility of controlled mosaics for lunar scientific applications.

Abstract

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) and Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) ShadowCam provide high-resolution (0.5–2 m per pixel) images of the Moon. These high-resolution images facilitate the creation of highly detailed controlled mosaics, which can be used for applications such as regional geomorphic maps, crater size-frequency distribution analysis, and mission planning. We establish the methodology used to produce most of our LROC NAC and ShadowCam regional controlled mosaics, conduct an analysis of the accuracy of our controlled mosaics, and discuss the utility of these products. This accuracy analysis includes a comprehensive analysis of the bundle adjustment results for both our LROC NAC and ShadowCam controlled mosaics and a comprehensive analysis of the positional accuracy of our LROC NAC controlled mosaics, with median positional offsets of our NAC controlled mosaics being <12 m in latitude and <5 m in longitude.

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