Evolution of south seasonal cap during Martian spring: Insights from high-resolution observations by HiRISE and CRISM on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

Details Evolution of south seasonal cap during Martian spring: Insights from high-resolution observations by HiRISE and CRISM on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Evolution of south seasonal cap during Martian spring: Insights from high-resolution observations by HiRISE and CRISM on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

Aug 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011jgre..11608007p&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 116, Issue E8, CiteID E08007

Physics

1

Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Composition (1060, 3672), Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Ices, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Polar Regions, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Remote Sensing, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Surface Materials And Properties

Scientific paper

We use data from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera and the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) imaging spectrometer onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to follow the evolution of the appearance and composition of 12 regions of the south polar layered deposits from spring to summer time. We distinguish three steps in the evolution of the volatile layer: a decrease of both CO2 band strength and albedo until Ls = 190°-210°, a significant increase in both until Ls = 240°-260° and finally a rapid decrease until the complete defrosting of the ground. In contrast, the water ice band displays a more monotonic decrease. Analysis of HiRISE color images acquired simultaneously with CRISM data allows a plausible interpretation of this evolution. In early springtime (Ls < 200°), intense jet activity results in deposition of fans of large mineral grains and a wide spatial distribution of fine grains. The small-scale topography controls the presence and location of the jets by allowing more solar energy to be collected on slopes. Grains from the dust fans warm and sink through the CO2 layer, resulting in a bluish color at the locations of the fans around Ls = 190°-210°. As the atmosphere warms up, the surface of the ice layer sublimes and releases dust and water, resulting in its brightening. The last phase of the process consists in a progressive defrosting resulting in a patchwork of frozen and unfrozen areas.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Evolution of south seasonal cap during Martian spring: Insights from high-resolution observations by HiRISE and CRISM on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter 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 Evolution of south seasonal cap during Martian spring: Insights from high-resolution observations by HiRISE and CRISM on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Evolution of south seasonal cap during Martian spring: Insights from high-resolution observations by HiRISE and CRISM on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1681472