Enhancement of the MATISSE tool for the geological analysis of planetary surfaces: A study on central pit craters on Mercury

In this work we present the improved capabilities of MATISSE (Multi-purpose Advanced Tool for Instruments for the Solar System Exploration) tool which is now able to integrate geological maps and analyze specific data based on selected parameters (target, mission, instrument, geological units and area of interest). To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach we focused on “central pit” craters on Mercury, with particular regard to the ones exposed in the Hokusai, Victoria, and Derain quadrangles. The use of MATISSE for this application allowed us for an analysis of these morphologies, confirming a tendency for their location on volcanic terrains. The integrated research approach adopted in this study has proven to be a significant advantage in geological analysis, accelerating the process of data collection and interpretation. In conclusion, this study shows how the continuous evolution of scientific tools devoted to data handling and management based on FAIR principles, such as MATISSE, has the potential to open new perspectives in understanding planetary-scale geological processes.