Physics – Optics
Scientific paper
Oct 1976
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1976sci...194...57s&link_type=abstract
Science, vol. 194, Oct. 1, 1976, p. 57-59.
Physics
Optics
2
Landing Sites, Mars Atmosphere, Mars Surface Samples, Planetary Composition, Viking Lander 1, Atmospheric Optics, Chemical Analysis, Dust, Magnetic Properties, Mars Surface, Water Vapor
Scientific paper
A chronology of Viking 1 lander activities is presented for the first 43 sols (Martian days) of surface sampling and analysis. The orbital insertion of the second Viking spacecraft is reviewed along with the search for the second landing site. A general assessment of the planet is made on the basis of the data thus far obtained. Some of the findings reported are that: (1) there is extensive evidence of volcanism, fluvial and aeolian erosion, and deposition over the entire surface; (2) the floor of Vallis Marineris is significantly younger than the planet's surface; (3) the morphology of Martian crater ejecta is indicative of surface flow rather than ballistic deposition; (4) the rocks in the immediate vicinity of the lander are all covered by a layer of fine red dust; (5) the atmosphere is optically thick and well mixed, with suspended particles giving the sky a pink color; (6) the N and Ar isotopic ratios are different from those on earth; (7) atmospheric water vapor varies with both time of day and location; (8) the summer northern polar regions have a high water concentration in the atmosphere; (9) a large fraction of magnetic material resides in the surface; and (10) no complex organic compounds have been detected in the two samples analyzed.
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