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Detection of molecular oxygen on Mars.Molecular oxygen was detected in Martian spectra near 7635 A and its abundance was measured both during and after the 1971 dust storm. Its column abundance in the clear Martian atmosphere is about 10.4 plus or minus 1.0 cm/amagat, giving a mixing ratio of molecular oxygen to carbon dioxide 0.0013. The mixing ratio of molecular oxygen to carbon monoxide (1.4 plus or minus 0.3) is quite different from the value of 0.5 that would result from the photolysis of a pure carbon dioxide atmosphere, which indicates that there is or was a net source of oxygen relative to carbon (probably water) in the Martian atmosphere.
Document ID
19720058627
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Carleton, N. P.
Traub, W. A.
(Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory; Harvard University Cambridge, Mass., United States)
Date Acquired
August 6, 2013
Publication Date
September 15, 1972
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 177
Subject Category
Space Sciences
Accession Number
72A42293
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-09-015-047
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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