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At least 487 records · Page 27

Spectrophotometric studies of the photometric function, composition, and distribution of the surface materials of Mars.

Results of a program of mapping the surface of Mars carried out at a spatial resolution of 300 to 500 km during the 1969 opposition at IR (0.60 to 2.27 microns). Spectral albedo curves were obtained for 150 mare and desert areas. These curves fall into two well-defined and fairly uniform color-albedo groups corresponding to mare and desert units. The lack of areas with color and albedo that are distinctively different from those of these groups is interpreted as an indication that the surface of Mars consists of basically only two types of materials. Laboratory comparison data support a model of the Martian regolith that suggests that the general color of these surface units is due to a limonite stain coating the particles of lithic soils. Features in the spectral albedo curves at 1.6 and 2.1 microns are interpreted as being due to the H2O ice on the surface or in the Martian atmosphere.

Binder, A. B.↗

Photometric radii of Io and Europa.

Simultaneous two-color photoelectric photometry of Io and Europa performed during their eclipse by Jupiter on the night of April 5/6, 1971, is reported and discussed. The results are compared with satellite radii obtained using other observational techniques. It is concluded that the eclipse technique can be used to infer satellite radii accurate to plus or minus 10 per cent. In principle the eclipse technique can also be applied to the satellites of Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune for early objective determinations of their radii.

Price, M. J.↗

Analysis of photometric data obtained on the 1969 NASA airborne auroral expedition

The analysis of the 1969 airborne expedition data is centered around two main topics: dayside auroral characteristics and hydroxial airglow variations. Some of the conclusions drawn from the analysis include the following: (1) The midday sector of the auroral oval is bound on the equatorward side by a region of greater than or = to 3 keV electrons. (2) The dayside oval is associated with the cusp region in the magnetosphere which has particle energies usually less than or = to 1 keV and lambda 6300 (OI)/lambda 4278 N2(+) ratios 10. (3) Discrete earth-sun aligned auroras appear in the polar cap just poleward of the oval superimposed on a 1 keV particle energy background. (4) The discrete earth-sun aligned auroras seen in the open field line region on the dayside have a similar appearance to some rayed auroras seen on the nightside both in terms of charactertistic particle energy spectra as well as visual appearance. (5) Airglow OH measurements show no appreciable change with latitude or longitude but do show diurnal changes. Two types of enhancements are observed: one associated with visible aurora, and the other uncorrelated with visible aurora.

Romick, G. J.↗

Photometric properties of Saturn's rings.

The spectral reflectivity of Saturn's rings between 0.36 and 1.06 microns is derived from observations of the combined light of the Saturn system and the previously determined spectrum of the disk of Saturn. The rings are red relative to the Sun for wavelengths below 0.7 micron; at longer wavelengths, the spectral reflectivity declines. The amplitude of the opposition effect (anomalous brightening at very small phase angles) shows a maximum at both ends of our spectral range.

Irvine, W. M.↗

Titan photometric parameters

Measurements of the irradiance of Titan from 0.05 to 1.08 micrometer were carried out by 60-inch reflector, spectrometer, and pulse counting electronics. An approximate contour of the geometric albedo assumes methane is the principal absorber. The albedo of Titan reaches a maximum value of 0.37 at 0.68, 0.753, and 0.83 micrometers, while in the center of the strongest absorption features, at 0.89 and 1.0. micrometer, it falls to 0.10. Comparison with the methane bands of Jupiter and Saturn indicates that the maxima clearly do not represent the continuum and that the lower values may well be depressed by wings of methane bands adjacent to them.

Younkin, R. L.↗

Titan - Unidentified strong absorptions in the photometric infrared

The morphology of Titan's infrared spectral features reveals a pattern of differences with respect to Saturn's bands. Titan's bands exhibit a progressive washing out with increasing wavelength relative to the corresponding bands in Saturn's spectrum. Unidentified absorption features of apparently gaseous origin appear in the long-wavelength wing of Titan's 1-micron CH4 band complex with considerably greater strength. Greater absorption is also observed in the 1.1 micron region. Not all of the phenomena can be explained by enhanced CH4 absorption, so Titan's spectrum implies the existence of another spectroscopically active gas. Several candidates for this gas are briefly considered.

Trafton, L.↗

Photometric and polarimetric analysis of samples of lunar surface material returned by the Luna 16 automatic station

Polarimetric properties were determined for the L-16-19-1-116 samples, weighing 0.087 g. The measurements were made for five wavelengths between 3540 and 5850 AU. In addition, the normal albedo was determined for each of these wavelengths. The albedo for the measured sample was slightly lower than for the typical material of the dark lunar maria and in addition, there was a well developed branch of negative polarization, which resembles the branch obtained for carbonaceous chondrites crushed into powder, and the branch obtained for the powders of several terrestrial basaltic and ultrabasic rocks.

Dollfus, A.↗

Photometric properties of the surface of Io and their influence on line formation in the atmosphere

A quantitative theory is given for line formation in an atmosphere above a surface with backscattering properties. Sufficiently high spatial and spectral resolution spectra of resonance lines in Io region A can yield data on the surface scattering properties as well as the number density of scattering molecules. Macroscopically homogeneous models of scattering from the surface of Io are discussed and it was concluded that multiple reflection from crystal facets is the most likely cause for the observed phase variations of the geometric albedo.

Yung, Y. L.↗

Photometric observations of recent comets

Infrared observations of comet Bennett, Kohoutek, Bradfield, and Encke are analyzed with emphasis on the detection of the silicate emission feature. Results are summarized.

Ney, E. P.↗

Photometric calibration of planetary photographs

The basic data and approach for calibrating photographic plates obtained with the 61 cm telescope at the Tortugas Mountain Station of New Mexico State University are summarized. Since this is the fundamental calibration of planetary data it is of use to all in-house users as well as other individuals who use the data.

Beebe, R. F.↗