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Investigation of Martian H2O and CO2 via orbital gamma ray spectroscopyThe capability of an orbital gamma ray spectrometer to address presently unanswered questions concerning H2O and CO2 on Mars is investigated. The gamma ray signal produced by the Martian atmosphere and by several simple models of Martian surface materials is calculated. Results are reported for: (1) the production of neutrons in the atmosphere and in the subsurface material by cosmic ray interactions, (2) the scattering of neutrons and the resultant neutron energy spectrum and spatial distributions, (3) the reproduction of gamma rays by neutron prompt capture and nonelastic scatter reactions, (4) the production of gamma rays by natural radionuclides, (5) the attenuation of the gamma ray signal by passage through surface materials and the Martian atmosphere, (6) the production of the gamma ray continuum background, and (7) the uncertainty in gamma ray line strengths that results from the combined signal and background observed by the detector.
Document ID
19870064681
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Evans, Larry G.
(Computer Sciences Corp. Beltsville, MD, United States)
Squyres, Steven W.
(Cornell University Ithaca, NY, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
August 10, 1987
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 92
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
87A51955
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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