Physics
Scientific paper
Aug 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000mpse.conf..190z&link_type=abstract
International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration, p. 190
Physics
Planetary Mapping, Mars Surface, Mars (Planet), Geodetic Surveys, Topography, Polar Regions, Mars Global Surveyor, Climatology, Diurnal Variations
Scientific paper
The Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft has been engaged in systematic mapping of Mars since insertion into Mars orbit in September, 1997. The objectives of the MGS mission are to globally map Mars as well as to quantify seasonal changes on the planet. MGS geophysical/geodetic observations of topography from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) and gravity from the Radio Science investigation are providing significant new insights on both static and time-varying aspects of the polar regions of Mars. These observations have implications for polar processes on diurnal seasonal and climatic timescales. Thus far, MOLA has collected over 300 million precise measurements of Martian topography and cloud heights. The instrument has also provided measurements of the width of the backscattered optical pulse and of the 1064 nm reflectivity of the Martian surface and atmosphere. The along-track resolution of MOLA ground shots is approx. 300 m and the across-track spacing in the polar regions is a maximum of about four kilometers. The vertical accuracy of the topography is determined by the precision recovery of spacecraft orbits from the Radio Science investigation, which includes MOLA altimetry in the form of crossovers. This accuracy is currently approx. one meter. The gravity field is derived from X-band Doppler tracking with typical accuracy of 0.03 to 0.05 mm/s averaged over ten seconds. Current Mars gravity fields are to approximately degree and order 80 but are interpretable to the approximate degree and order 60 (spatial resolution < 180 km), which represents an estimate of the approximate coefficient limit of a field that can be produced without a power law constraint on the gravitational field inversion, which is commonly imposed for solution stability. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.
Lemoine Frank G.
Neumann Gregory A.
Smith David E.
Zuber Maria T.
No associations
LandOfFree
Structure and Dynamics of the Polar Regions of Mars from MGS Topography and Gravity 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 Structure and Dynamics of the Polar Regions of Mars from MGS Topography and Gravity, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Structure and Dynamics of the Polar Regions of Mars from MGS Topography and Gravity will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-891410