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At least 451 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

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

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.

Kliore, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Lunar topography - Global determination by radar.

Previous methods used for two-dimensional radar mapping of the moon are contrasted with new techniques that add altitude information to the radar map. Delay-Doppler stereoscopy and delay-Doppler interferometry are shown to provide surface-height variations with higher accuracy and better global fidelity than has been possible previously. Sample results are presented for altitude contours on the moon as obtained with the Haystack and Westford radar systems of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. An appendix describes the mathematical principles of delay-Doppler interferometry in determining the position of an arbitrary reflecting region of the lunar surface from measurements of the time delay, Doppler shift, and fringe phase of radar echoes from that region.

Shapiro, I. I.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Mariner 9 ultraviolet spectrometer experiment - Photometry and topography of Mars.

Reflectance properties of Mars were measured in a 100-A band (centered at 3050 A) by the UV spectrometer on board Mariner 9 during the period from Nov. 14, 1971 to Mar. 1, 1972. A topographic map of Mars based on the scattering of UV light from the Mars atmosphere (after clearing of the dust storm) is illustrated. The UV light which is Rayleigh-scattered by the Mars molecular atmosphere (with allowance for uniform turbidity) is proportional to surface pressure regardless of the atmospheric temperature structure. Comparison with Mariner 9 radio occultation measurements determines the fraction of total reflectance that is due to atmospheric scattering.

Hord, C. W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Martian topography and surface properties as seen by radar - The 1971 opposition.

Taking advantage of the favorable opposition of 1971, the Goldstone radar system, operating at 2388 MHz, was used to scan the Martian surface. Measurements of altitude and reflected power were taken approximately every 3 days. Each measurement represents an area 8 km E-W by 80 km N-S, the highest resolution attained to date. Altitude measurements obtained on different observing days were combined to produce altitude profiles for three complete rotations, each at different latitudes. Large-scale variations in altitudes cover a range of 14 km. Altitude changes of 5 in 30 km of longitude were observed. The altitude profiles show the heavy cratering of the surface, and several large craters (50-100 km) 1-2 km deep are easily seen.

Downs, G. S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Topography and radar scattering properties of Mars.

High-resolution radar observations of Mars at a wavelength of 3.8 cm have been carried out at the Haystack Observatory for a period of about 6 months surrounding the 1971 opposition. The relative surface height variation with longitude over a band of Martian latitudes between about -14 and -22 deg has been derived from these observations with an error of about 75 m in the most favorable cases. At -14 deg latitude, the dielectric constant was found to increase steadily from about 1.7 at 70 deg W to about 5.0 at 110 deg W. Over the same interval the rms surface slopes vary from 2 to 1 deg.

Pettengill, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Evidence for convection in planetary interiors from first-order topography.

Center of mass/center of figure offsets are known for the earth, moon, Mars and Venus. Such an offset requires a density distribution asymmetric about the center of mass. Observational evidence indicates that the terrestrial, lunar and Martian offsets result from crusts of variable thickness rather than lateral density inhomogeneities and that the thickness variations are more likely caused by internal convection than impact.

Lingenfelter, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Surface features on Mars: Ground-based albedo and radar compared with Mariner 9 topography

Earth-based albedo maps of Mars were compared with Mariner 9 television data and ground-based radar profiles to investigate the nature of the bright and dark albedo features. Little correlation was found except at the boundaries of classical albedo features, where some topographic control is indicated. Wind-blown dust models for seasonal and secular albedo variations are supported, but it is not clear whether the fines are derived from bright or dark parent rock. Mars, like the Earth and Moon, has probably generated two distinct types of crustal material.

Frey, H.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Effect of surface topography on structural growth of thick sputtered films

Primarily thick sputtered S-Monel, silver, and 304 stainless steel coatings were deposited on mica, glass, and metal substrates with various surface finishes to investigate the structural growth of the coating by scanning electron microscopy. Compositional changes within the coating were analyzed by X-ray dispersion microscopy. Defects in the surface finish act as preferential nucleation sites and form isolated and complex nodules and various surface overgrowths in the coating. These nodules do not disappear after full annealing. Further, they have undesirable effects on mechanial properties; cracks are initiated at the nodules when the coating is stressed by mechanical forces. These effects are illustrated by micrographs. Nodular growth within a coating can be minimized or eliminated by reducing the surface roughness.

Spalvins, T.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Gravimetric geodesy and sea surface topography studies by means of satellite-to-satellite tracking and satellite altimetry

A satellite-to-satellite tracking experiment is planned between ATS-F and GEOS-C with a range accuracy of 2-meters and a range rate accuracy of 0.035 centimeters per second for a 10-second integration time. This experiment is planned for 1974. It is anticipated that it will improve the spatial resolution of the satellite geoid by half an order of magnitude to about 6 degrees. Longer integration times should also permit a modest increase in the acceleration resolution. Satellite altimeter data will also be obtained by means of GEOS-C. An overall accuracy of 5-meters in altitude is the goal. The altimeter, per se, is expected to have an instrumental precision of about 2 meters, and an additional capability to observe with a precision of about 0.2 meters for limited periods.

Siry, J. W.↗