Determination of the rotation period of Venus using Magellan radar images

Abstract

The aim of this Master Thesis is to develop a method to determine reliably the rotation period of Venus. To achieve this goal, the first step of this Master Thesis consists in determining the so-called Doppler Centroid, a frequency computed by performing some signal processing techniques on radar images (FFT algorithm). Indeed, this quantity can be linked to the rotation period through the angular velocity, in a global equation combining this last metric with orbital parameters. The final purpose consists in evaluating if the model applied to reach the objective is sufficiently reliable, i.e. if a modification in the Doppler Centroid substantially affects the rotation period.