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At least 109 records · Page 6

Mars - The case against permanent CO2 frost caps

Leighton and Murray (1966) have argued that there is a polar reservoir of solid CO2 on Mars that lasts throughout the year and whose vapor pressure determines the mean partial pressure of CO2 in the atmosphere. This model is discussed in the light of recent data, and several difficulties emerge. First, such a system might be unstable, owing to the tendency of poleward heat transport to increase with atmospheric pressure. Second, the annual retreat of the CO2 frost cover would be slower according to the model than that observed. Moreover, the observations seem to indicate that the residual polar cap that lasts throughout the year is composed of water ice rather than CO2. Finally, observations of water vapor in the atmosphere appear to be inconsistent with a permanent CO2 cold trap in continuous existence for many years. These difficulties hold also for a CO2 reservoir buried by water ice and for a hydrated CO2 clathrate.

Ingersoll, A. P.↗

A laboratory study of the diffuse reflectance spectra of frosts occurring on astronomical objects

Mechanical, optical, and operating properties of an experiment chamber are examined and possible sample contamination difficulty is explained. The mechanical and operational characteristics of this apparatus are well suited for the study of the reflectance spectra of frosts. The infrared energy available at the detector is low and steps to increase the energy and the responsivity of the detector were taken. The problem of a standard diffuse reflector which is useful in the far ultraviolet region is considered and it is suggested that bright gold be used as the standard.

Glaser, F. M.↗

Evidence for frost on Rhea's surface

We have observed Rhea (S5) at 1.6 and 2.2 microns at Mt. Wilson using the Caltech photometer on the 1.52 m and 2.54 m telescopes. The infrared spectral reflectances relative to 0.55 micron are 0.8 at 1.65 micron and 0.6 at 2.2 microns. Such absorption bands in the near infrared are not consistent with spectra of most rocks or minerals; even carbonaceous chondritic materials have nearly flat reflectances over this spectral region. Frosts, however, have strong absorption bands in the 1-3 microns region. In particular, the broadband infrared reflectances of Rhea are similar to those of the Galilean satellites Europa (J2) and Ganymede (J3) and also the rings of Saturn. Rhea's low density, high albedo and relatively flat reflectance from 0.3 to 1.1 micron as well as the low infrared reflectances reported here are consistent with the presence of water ice on Rhea's surface.

Johnson, T. V.↗

Further laboratory study of the diffuse reflectance spectra of frosts occurring on astronomical objects

Oligoclase and bloedite, two mined samples, have been investigated, and the diffuse reflectance spectra are presented. These data are for powdered material, 50 microns to 5 microns size mixture, cooled to 160 K. The reflectivity of the oligoclase sample was also measured at room temperature, about 290 K, and the results at these two temperatures do indicate some tentative differences. A frost of ordinary water was prepared and its spectral reflectance is presented. This result compares reasonably well with measurements made by other investigators.

Glaser, F. M.↗

Mars south polar spring and summer temperatures - A residual CO2 frost

Viking infrared thermal mapper (IRTM) energy measurements over the Mars south polar cap throughout the Martian spring and summer revealed complex spatial, spectral, and temporal variations. High albedos did not directly correspond with low temperatures, and as the cap shrank to its residual position, it maintained large differences in brightness temperature between the four IRTM surface-sensing bands at 7, 9, 11, and 20 microns. The late summer infrared spectral pattern can be matched by a surface consisting of CO2 frost with 20 micron emissivity of 0.8 and about 6% dark, warm soil under a dusty atmosphere of moderate infrared opacity and spectral properties similar to those measured for the Martian global dust storms. Low temperature, the absence of appreciable water vapor in the south polar atmosphere, and the absence of surface warming expected if H2O were to become exposed, all imply that the residual south polar cap was covered by solid CO2.

Kieffer, H. H.↗

Surface temperatures and retention of H2O frost on Ganymede and Callisto

Surface temperatures and ice evaporation rates are calculated for Ganymede and Callisto as functions of latitude, time of day, and albedo, according to a model that uses surface thermal properties determined by eclipse radiometry and albedos determined from photometrically decalibrated Voyager images. The difference in temperature between Ganymede and Callisto is not great enough to account for the lack of bright polar caps on Callisto, which seems instead to reflect a real deficiency in the amount of available water frost relative to Ganymede. The temperature difference between Ganymede's grooved and cratered terrains also cannot account for the high concentration of bright ray craters in the former, suggesting that an internal geologic process has enriched the grooved terrain in ice content relative to the cratered terrain.

Squyres, S. W.↗

Frost Forecasting for Fruitgrowers

Progress in forecasting from satellite data reviewed. University study found data from satellites displayed in color and used to predict frost are valuable aid to agriculture. Study evaluated scheme to use Earth-temperature data from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite in computer model that determines when and where freezing temperatures endanger developing fruit crops, such as apples, peaches and cherries in spring and citrus crops in winter.

Martsolf, J. D.↗

Application of Satellite Frost Forecast Technology to Other Parts of the United States

Thermal infrared data taken from the GOES satellite over a period of several hours was color enhanced by computer according to temperature. The varying temperatures were then used to assist in frost forecasting. Input from Michigan and Pennsylvania to the cold climate mapping project is emphasized in the report of the second year's activities of a two year effort.

Martsolf, J. D.↗

A Satellite Frost Forecasting System for Florida

Since the first of two minicomputers that are the main components of the satellite frost forecast system was delivered in 1977, the system has evolved appreciably. A geostationary operational environmental satellite (GOES) system provides the satellite data. The freeze of January 12-14, 1981, was documented with increasing interest in potential of such systems. Satellite data is now acquired digitally rather than by redigitizing the GOES-Tap transmissions. Data acquisition is now automated, i.e., the computers are programmed to operate the system with little, if any, operation intervention.

Martsolf, J. D.↗

A search for frosts in Comet Bowell /1980b/

Infrared observations of Comet Bowell represent the first search for frost signatures in a comet beyond 2 AU from the sun. Broad- and narrowband photometry has been obtained as well as CVF spectrophotometry of this comet and there is no evidence for absorption features in the spectral area between 1.25 and 2.3 microns. Models of the coma have been generated which constrain the volatile content of the grains an; are in agreement with the observed albedo. The darkness of the coma particles at large heliocentric distances indicates a low albedo nucleus as well. Brightness variations during the observing period seem to indicate an active nucleus at 4.5 AU from the sun.

Campins, H.↗

Polar frost formation on Ganymede

Voyager photographs have shown the presence of polar frost on Ganymede, a satellite of Jupiter. A number of models have been proposed for the formation of this feature. The models are based on the transport of material from the equatorial to the polar regions. The present paper is concerned with a model regarding the origin and appearance of the Ganymede caps which does not depend on such a transport. The model is based on observations of the surficial changes produced by ion bombardment. It is pointed out that experiments on ion and electron bombardment of water ice at low temperatures have shown that these particles sputter significant quantities of water molecules. In addition, they also change the visual characteristics of the surface significantly. Ion bombardment competing with thermal reprocessing may be sufficient to explain the latitudinal differences observed on Ganymede.

Johnson, R. E.↗

Atlas of reflectance spectra of terrestrial, lunar and meteoritic powders and frosts from 92 to 1800 nm

The reflectance spectra of powdered samples of selected minerals, meteorites, lunar materials and frosts are presented as an aid in the interpretation of present and future remote sensing data of solar system objects. Spectra obtained in separate wavelength regions have been combined and normalized, yielding coverage from 92 to 1800 nm. Spectral features include reflectance maxima in the far UV region produced by valence-conduction interband transitions, and reflectance minima in the near UV, visible and near IR regions, produced by charge transfer and crystal field transitions. Specific maxima and minima are diagnostic of mineral type and composition; additionally, the minerals present in mixtures such as meteorites and lunar samples can be determined.

Wagner, Jeffrey↗

Timing of frost deposition on Martian dunes: A clue to properties of dune particles?

Scans were made across the Martian dunes found in images taken at several different times to determine the time history of the dune albedo. Atmospheric contributions were estimated using optical depth data and the brightness of shadows in some images. The data show that the dunes brighten very substantially between L(s) = 10 and 40 deg, depending on the latitude. Bright coverings on dunes form outliers 1 to 5 deg north of the cap edge. Formation of the general cap then sometimes reverses the contrast of the dune field with the surrounding area. Causes for the early deposition of frost on dunes relative to surroundings are discussed.

Thomas, P.↗