Maps of subsurface hydrogen from the high energy neutron detector, Mars Odyssey

Science. 2002 Jul 5;297(5578):78-81. doi: 10.1126/science.1073616. Epub 2002 May 30.

Abstract

After 55 days of mapping by the High Energy Neutron Detector onboard Mars Odyssey, we found deficits of high-energy neutrons in the southern highlands and northern lowlands of Mars. These deficits indicate that hydrogen is concentrated in the subsurface. Modeling suggests that water ice-rich layers that are tens of centimeters in thickness provide one possible fit to the data.

MeSH terms

  • Atmosphere
  • Cosmic Radiation
  • Extraterrestrial Environment
  • Hydrogen*
  • Ice*
  • Mars*
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Neutrons*
  • Spacecraft
  • Spectrometry, Gamma
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Ice
  • Hydrogen