CO2 snow depth and subsurface water-ice abundance in the northern hemisphere of Mars

Science. 2003 Jun 27;300(5628):2081-4. doi: 10.1126/science.1084350.

Abstract

Observations of seasonal variations of neutron flux from the high-energy neutron detector (HEND) on Mars Odyssey combined with direct measurements of the thickness of condensed carbon dioxide by the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) on Mars Global Surveyor show a latitudinal dependence of northern winter deposition of carbon dioxide. The observations are also consistent with a shallow substrate consisting of a layer with water ice overlain by a layer of drier soil. The lower ice-rich layer contains between 50 and 75 weight % water, indicating that the shallow subsurface at northern polar latitudes on Mars is even more water rich than that in the south.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Atmosphere
  • Dry Ice*
  • Extraterrestrial Environment
  • Mars*
  • Seasons
  • Water / analysis*

Substances

  • Dry Ice
  • Water