The Martian surface as imaged, sampled, and analyzed by Viking landers
Abstract
Data collected by two Viking landers are analyzed. Attention is given to the characteristics of the surface inferred from Lander imaging and meteorology data, physical and magnetic properties experiments, and both inorganic and organic analyses of Martian samples. Viking Lander 1 touched down on Chryse Planitia on July 20, 1976 and continued to operate for 2252 sols, until November 20, 1982. Lander 2 touched down about 6500 km away from Lander 1, on Utopia Planitia on September 3, 1976. The chemical compositions of sediments at the two landing sites are similar, suggesting an aeolian origin. The compositions suggest an iron-rich rock an are matched by various clays and salts.
- Publication:
-
Reviews of Geophysics
- Pub Date:
- February 1989
- DOI:
- 10.1029/RG027i001p00039
- Bibcode:
- 1989RvGeo..27...39A
- Keywords:
-
- Geochemistry;
- Mars Surface Samples;
- Planetary Geology;
- Satellite Imagery;
- Viking Lander 1;
- Viking Lander 2;
- Exobiology;
- Mars Volcanoes;
- Multispectral Band Cameras;
- Planetary Composition;
- Planetary Meteorology;
- X Ray Fluorescence;
- MARS;
- SPACECRAFT OBSERVATIONS;
- VIKING MISSIONS;
- LANDERS;
- SURFACE;
- IMAGERY;
- ANALYSIS;
- LANDING SITES;
- COMPOSITION;
- SOIL;
- SAMPLING;
- TECTONICS;
- HISTORY;
- PHYSICAL PROPERTIES;
- ATMOSPHERE;
- CLIMATE;
- CHRYSE PLANITIA;
- PHOTOGRAPHS;
- UTOPIA PLANITIA;
- EXPERIMENTS;
- MAGNETIC PROPERTIES;
- MINERALOGY;
- CHEMISTRY;
- WATER;
- ORGANIC MATERIAL;
- EXOBIOLOGY;
- DYNAMICS;
- EROSION;
- DEPOSITION;
- ICE;
- ORIGIN;
- Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Surface materials and properties