S-band radio occultation measurements of the atmosphere and topography of Mars with Mariner 9: Extended mission coverage of polar and intermediate latitudes

• Main Authors: Kliore, A. J., Fjeldbo, G., Seidel, B. L., Sykes, M. J., Woiceshyn, P. M.
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1973
• Subjects: 30; North Pole
• Online Access: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19730023983

Radio occultation measurements from Mariner 9 orbits around Mars show that the radius of Mars changes by only about 2 km from a latitude of 65 deg to the north pole, that the north polar area is about average in elevation, and that polar temperature profiles are indicative of the possibility that the remnant north polar cap may be at least partially composed of water ice. It is also found that Mars, in addition to being asymmetrical equatorially, is also significantly asymmetrical in the north and south direction with the Southern Hemisphere lying 3 to 4 km higher. Temperature gradients in the clear Martian atmosphere of only about one-half of the adiabatic gradients of 5 deg K/km suggest the importance of dynamical processes.