The structure of the Martian soil according to optical and infrared observations
Abstract
The reflection spectrum and thermal properties of the Martian soil are consistent with the following model: (1) the Martian soil consists of particulate igneous rock, both basic and intermediate, the soil of the bright areas being more acidic than that of the dark areas; (2) the soil consists of two types of particle: comparatively large particles (tenths of a millimeter in size) and particles micrometer in size; the larger particles may well be conglomerates of the smaller particles; (3) the mean soil density is approximately 1.22 g cm/3 at a depth of two to four cm, with a porosity of about 0.6.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- May 1976
- Bibcode:
- 1976STIN...7625124M
- Keywords:
-
- Andesite;
- Infrared Spectra;
- Mars Surface;
- Rocks;
- Thermodynamic Properties;
- Geology;
- Igneous Rocks;
- Mars (Planet);
- Topography;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration