Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Sep 1976
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1976s%26t....52..156b&link_type=abstract
Sky and Telescope, vol. 52, Sept. 1976, p. 156-161.
Mathematics
Logic
Mars Landing, Mars Photographs, Viking Lander 1, Atmospheric Composition, Atmospheric Temperature, Black And White Photography, Color Photography, Extraterrestrial Life, Malfunctions, Mars Atmosphere, Mars Surface, Photographic Equipment, Soil Science, Water Resources
Scientific paper
On July 20, 1976 the Viking-1 lander successfully landed on the surface of Mars. The touchdown occurred just 16 sec after the predicted time, and less than 19 miles from the center of its target ellipse. Details of the touchdown are reported. Just six minutes after the landing the spacecraft began to relay surprisingly detailed pictures (both black-and-white and color ones) of Martian landscape. Some of them are given, along with related diagrams ('skyline drawings'). The first experimental results are presented, including those on the atmospheric temperature and make-up, soil studies, and the biology tests. Temperatures recorded during the descent were +27 F (200 km height) and -216 F (at 135 km). Those on the surface varied from -122 F (at dawn) to -22 F. The nitrogen content was found to be 2 to 3%, which boosts the hope of finding life on the planet. Some oxygen (0.3%) was also detected. The findings of the biological tests are found to be consistent with some tests run on terrestrial organisms, however additional tests are needed before any conclusions are reached. The soil of the planet is rich in Fe, Si, Ca, Al and Ti. Some malfunctions of the onboard instrumentation are analyzed. In addition, some data are given on the Viking-2, intended mainly to look for liquid water on the Martian surface.
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