Surface marking variations of selected areas on Mars
Abstract
The long-term record of shape and contrast changes in Martian surface features is based on photographs taken during a period of 70 years, which are summarized by 32 maps published by de Mottoni y Palacios (1975). In this paper, an attempt is made to show that large variations in Martian surface markings have some relationship with the level of solar radiation flux daily integrated at the Martian surface. The classical tendency of a darkening wave to propagate from the south pole towards the equator at the southern spring is apparently related to the increase with latitude of the seasonal amplitudes of solar flux received. High solar heating may favor high-velocity winds, which can lift soil dust into the atmosphere and transport grains at the surface. Hence, telescope observations are compatible with the model of wind transportation and deposition of dust proposed on the basis of Mariner-9 images to explain the surface feature variations on Mars. Local, environmental, and topographic influences are noted.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- December 1982
- Bibcode:
- 1982A&A...116..323D
- Keywords:
-
- Long Term Effects;
- Mars Atmosphere;
- Mars Surface;
- Planetology;
- Annual Variations;
- Dust;
- Solar Activity Effects;
- Southern Hemisphere;
- Wind Effects;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration