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Occultation of Epsilon Geminorum by Mars. III - Temperature structure of the Martian upper atmosphereHigh-quality photoelectric observations of the April 8, 1976, occultation of Epsilon Gem by Mars are analyzed which were obtained at five different observatories. Temperature profiles are derived by numerical inversion of the star's light curves and found to be in mutual agreement. This is taken as evidence for the presence of strong atmospheric waves in the Martial upper atmosphere between number densities of 10 to the 13th and 10 to the 15th per cu cm. It is estimated that the vertical wavelength is about 20 km, the horizontal wavelength is greater than 600 km, and the peak-to-peak wave amplitude is approximately 40 K. The results are shown to be qualitatively consistent with Zurek's (1976) model of thermally driven tidal modes. No compelling evidence for turbulence effects is found in the occultation data.
Document ID
19790049156
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
French, R. G.
(Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Elliot, J. L.
(Cornell University Ithaca, N.Y., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
April 15, 1979
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
79A33169
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7126
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-2174
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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