Dr. Divya M. Persaud

research

I research creative applications of 2D and 3D imaging and other remote sensing datasets to planetary surfaces. In particular, I am interested in:

  • how to best leverage remote sensing to plan for future planetary missions
  • advancing our understanding of different regimes of geology on other worlds in preparation for future missions
  • quantitative and qualitative investigations of surface geology using orbital imagery and 3D visualization tools
  • and equitable, research-based approaches to engagement using real data

My ongoing and past projects, with selected publications, are listed below. My full list of publications, both peer-reviewed and informal and sorted by date, can be found on my Publications page. A full C.V. will be linked here soon.

new technologies and strategies for landed missions

  • projects

    • investigating and characterizing novel planetary imaging capabilities for future ascent/descent spacecraft
    • using Apollo 16 imagery to investigate sampling strategies for future landed missions on Europa
    • supporting the Europa Lander concept and Europa Clipper Project Science and Reconnaissance Focus Group (2021–22)

  • publications &c

    Persaud, D. M., Phillips, C. B., How to sample an alien world? Lessons for Europa from Apollo 16. 54th Lunar and Planetary Conference. Poster (virtual).

    Phillips, C. B., Persaud, D. M., Hand, K. P., Correlation of Surface and Subsurface Properties when Choosing a Sampling Site: Applications from Mars and the Moon to Sampling Locations on Europa and Other Ocean Worlds, AGU Fall Meeting, 11–15 December, 2022. Poster (virtual).

    Brydon, G., Persaud, D. M., Jones, G., 2021, Planetary Topography Measurement by Descent Stereophotogrammetry, Planetary and Space Science, 202, 105242. doi: 10.1016/j.pss.2021.105242

martian stratigraphy in 3D

    impact cratering on icy satellites

    • projects

      • testing methods of estimating initial crater depths of Saturn’s moons Rhea and Dione using Cassini ISS digital elevation models (DEMs)
      • investigating stereo methods for icy moon topography
      • producing crater size catalogs of four Saturnian moons
      • assessment of methods of estimating initial crater depths of icy bodies

    • publications &c

      Persaud, D. M., Phillips, C. B., Methods of Estimating Initial Crater Depths on Icy Satellites using Stereo Topography, AGU Fall Meeting, 15-19 December, 2014. Oral presentation.

    previous work

    • HOMER mission concept development

      Designed a smallsat-scale ground penetrating radar (GPR)/synthetic aperture radar (SAR) hybrid multistatic system for the detection of lava tube systems on Mars; investigated and selected regions of interest, and defined science objectives.

      Persaud, D. M., et al., 2016, HOMER: a smallsat ground penetrating radar sounding fleet to map planetary surfaces at high resolution, 47th Lunar and Planetary Conference. Poster.

      Wu, T. S., Persaud, D. M., et al., Subsurface Feature Mapping of Mars using a High Resolution Ground Penetrating Radar System, AGU Fall Meeting, 14-18 December 2015. Poster.

    • paleomagnetism & meteoritics

      • Used scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy to characterize the matrix composition of Allende meteorite samples; identified rare chromite mineral species
      • Prepared and ran hysteresis and thermal demagnetization tests on impact glass samples to determine whether a magnetic field was generated by the Darwin impact
      • Documented and prepared Fukang pallasite meteorite samples for magnetic tests

    • passive radiometry using LiDAR

      Adapting a method of passive radiometry used with the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) for use with the Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) to generate a reflectance map of the surface of Mercury at the 1064 nm wavelength.