The 1997 Spring Regression of the Martian South Polar Cap: Mars Orbiter Camera Observations

P. B. James; B. A. Cantor; M. C. Malin; K. Edgett; M. H. Carr; G. E. Danielson; A. P. Ingersoll; M. E. Davies; W. K. Hartmann; A. S. McEwen; L. A. Soderblom; P. C. Thomas; J. Veverka

doi:10.1006/icar.1999.6289

The 1997 Spring Regression of the Martian South Polar Cap: Mars Orbiter Camera Observations

P. B. James, B. A. Cantor, M. C. Malin, K. Edgett, M. H. Carr, G. E. Danielson, A. P. Ingersoll, M. E. Davies, W. K. Hartmann, A. S. McEwen, L. A. Soderblom, P. C. Thomas, J. Veverka

Lunar and Planetary Lab

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Mars Orbiter cameras (MOC) on Mars Global Surveyor observed the south polar cap of Mars during its spring recession in 1997. The images acquired by the wide angle cameras reveal a pattern of recession that is qualitatively similar to that observed by Viking in 1977 but that does differ in at least two respects. The 1977 recession in the 0° to 120° longitude sector was accelerated relative to the 1997 observations after L_S = 240°; the Mountains of Mitchel also detached from the main cap earlier in 1997. Comparison of the MOC images with Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter data shows that the Mountains of Mitchel feature is controlled by local topography. Relatively dark, low albedo regions well within the boundaries of the seasonal cap were observed to have red-to-violet ratios that characterize them as frost units rather than unfrosted or partially frosted ground; this suggests the possibility of regions covered by CO₂ frost having different grain sizes.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	410-418
Number of pages	9
Journal	Icarus
Volume	144
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1006/icar.1999.6289
State	Published - Apr 2000

Keywords

Mars atmosphere
Mars climate
Mars surface

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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10.1006/icar.1999.6289

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The 1997 Spring Regression of the Martian South Polar Cap : Mars Orbiter Camera Observations. / James, P. B.; Cantor, B. A.; Malin, M. C.; Edgett, K.; Carr, M. H.; Danielson, G. E.; Ingersoll, A. P.; Davies, M. E.; Hartmann, W. K.; McEwen, A. S.; Soderblom, L. A.; Thomas, P. C.; Veverka, J.

In: Icarus, Vol. 144, No. 2, 04.2000, p. 410-418.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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abstract = "The Mars Orbiter cameras (MOC) on Mars Global Surveyor observed the south polar cap of Mars during its spring recession in 1997. The images acquired by the wide angle cameras reveal a pattern of recession that is qualitatively similar to that observed by Viking in 1977 but that does differ in at least two respects. The 1977 recession in the 0° to 120° longitude sector was accelerated relative to the 1997 observations after LS = 240°; the Mountains of Mitchel also detached from the main cap earlier in 1997. Comparison of the MOC images with Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter data shows that the Mountains of Mitchel feature is controlled by local topography. Relatively dark, low albedo regions well within the boundaries of the seasonal cap were observed to have red-to-violet ratios that characterize them as frost units rather than unfrosted or partially frosted ground; this suggests the possibility of regions covered by CO2 frost having different grain sizes.",

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AU - Danielson, G. E.

AU - Ingersoll, A. P.

AU - Davies, M. E.

AU - Hartmann, W. K.

AU - McEwen, A. S.

AU - Soderblom, L. A.

AU - Thomas, P. C.

AU - Veverka, J.

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The 1997 Spring Regression of the Martian South Polar Cap: Mars Orbiter Camera Observations

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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