Identification of sharp water-depth boundaries at +/-60 degrees latitudes on Mars using the Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer

Details Identification of sharp water-depth boundaries at +/-60 degrees latitudes on Mars using the Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer Identification of sharp water-depth boundaries at +/-60 degrees latitudes on Mars using the Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer

Dec 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006agufm.p21a..08f&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2006, abstract #P21A-08

Physics

5410 Composition (1060, 3672), 5422 Ices, 5462 Polar Regions, 5464 Remote Sensing, 6225 Mars

Scientific paper

It has long been predicted that the transition zone from ice-free lower latitudes to ice-stable high latitudes is narrow. This transition zone has been observed using measurements of epithermal neutron currents by the Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer (MONS). These boundaries correspond to a sharp increase in the depth of the stable water ice table from the surface (near both polar caps) to depths much larger than 1 m, where it cannot be detected from orbit using neutron spectroscopy. The depth below the surface of this ice table can be derived from thermal and epithermal neutron currents measured using MONS assuming a two-layer model. The macroscopic absorption cross section, given by the ratio of fast to thermal neutron currents, is a good proxy for this depth poleward of plus and minus 60 degrees latitude. Maps of both this cross section and the depth determined from thermal and epithermal neutrons reveal two latitudinal bands of maximum apparent depth at plus and minus 60 degrees that have FWHM widths of about 25 degrees, which corresponds to a physical boundary less than 1500 km. We interpret these bands to reflect a transition from water molecules held in hydrous minerals at lower latitudes to water in the forms of water ice and water of hydration at higher latitudes.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Identification of sharp water-depth boundaries at +/-60 degrees latitudes on Mars using the Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Identification of sharp water-depth boundaries at +/-60 degrees latitudes on Mars using the Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Identification of sharp water-depth boundaries at +/-60 degrees latitudes on Mars using the Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-961164