Evolution of the Mars Northern Ice CAP and Results from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA)
Abstract
Martian ice caps play an extremely important role in regulating climate of Mars. It is well known that they are acting as a reservoir for CO2 and maybe for water and dust. However, a reliable quantitative estimate of the balance or amount of volatiles inside the ice caps was never possible, because little data were available for this purpose. Here we will present initial results and analysis of topography data over the northern ice cap obtained by the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) onboard Mars Global Surveyor (MGS). We interpret the observed shape of the ice caps as created by ablation due to sublimation of water ice.
- Publication:
-
Mars Polar Science and Exploration
- Pub Date:
- January 1998
- Bibcode:
- 1998LPICo.953...28M
- Keywords:
-
- Carbon Dioxide;
- Climate;
- Dust;
- Ice;
- Mars Environment;
- Mars Surface;
- Water;
- Polar Caps;
- Planetary Cryospheres;
- Ablation;
- Laser Altimeters;
- Spacecraft Instruments;
- Mars Global Surveyor;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration