Results from the Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer.
The Thermal Emission Spectrometer spectra of low albedo surface materials suggests that a four to one mixture of pyroxene to plagioclase, together with about a 35 percent dust component provides the best fit to the spectrum. Qualitative upper limits can be placed on the concentration of carbonates (<10 percent), olivine (<10 percent), clay minerals (<20 percent), and quartz (<5 percent) in the limited regions observed. Limb observations in the northern hemisphere reveal low-lying dust hazes and detached water-ice clouds at altitudes up to 55 kilometers. At an aerocentric longitude of 224 degrees a major dust storm developed in the Noachis Terra region. The south polar cap retreat was similar to that observed by Viking.
Christensen
P R
PR
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA. phil.christensen@asu.edu
Anderson
D L
DL
Chase
S C
SC
Clancy
R T
RT
Clark
R N
RN
Conrath
B J
BJ
Kieffer
H H
HH
Kuzmin
R O
RO
Malin
M C
MC
Pearl
J C
JC
Roush
T L
TL
Smith
M D
MD
D001272:Atmosphere; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002254:Carbonates; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D007053:Ice; D058085:Iron Compounds; D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D018535:Mars; D008903:Minerals; D017640:Silicates; D018531:Spacecraft; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water
D002254:Carbonates; D007053:Ice; D058085:Iron Compounds; D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D008903:Minerals; D017640:Silicates; D014867:Water; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; C034475:olivine