Physics
Scientific paper
Aug 1976
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1976sci...193..786n&link_type=abstract
Science, vol. 193, Aug. 27, 1976, p. 786-788.
Physics
22
Atmospheric Composition, Atmospheric Physics, Atmospheric Stratification, Carbon Dioxide Concentration, Mars Atmosphere, Viking Lander 1, Atmospheric Pressure, Atmospheric Temperature, Chemical Composition, Ionospheric Composition, Mass Spectrometers, Oxygen, Planetary Ionospheres
Scientific paper
Results from the aeroshell-mounted neutral mass spectrometer on Viking 1 indicate that the upper atmosphere of Mars is composed mainly of CO2 with trace quantities of N2, Ar, O, O2, and CO. The mixing ratios by volume relative to CO2 for N2, Ar, and O2 are about 0.06, 0.015, and 0.003, respectively, at an altitude near 135 kilometers. Molecular oxygen is a major component of the ionosphere according to results from the retarding potential analyzer. The atmosphere between 140 and 200 kilometers has an average temperature of about 180 plus or minus 20 deg K. Atmospheric pressure at the landing site for Viking 1 was 7.3 millibars at an air temperature of 241 deg K. The descent data are consistent with the view that CO2 should be the major constituent of the lower Martian atmosphere.
Cook S. W.
Duckett R. J.
Hanson William B.
Knight Tony C. D.
McElroy Michael B.
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