Investigation of the Martian environment by infrared spectroscopy on Mariner 9.

Preliminary analysis of Mariner 9 IR spectroscopic data through May 1972 shows spectral features due to carbon dioxide, water vapor, and silicate dust suspended in the atmosphere. Measurements obtained during and after the planet-wide dust storm indicate that large diurnal variations in atmospheric temperature existed up to at least 30 km. Analysis of spectral features due to the atmospheric dust provides a SiO2 content of 60 (plus or minus 10)%, implying substantial geochemical differentiation. Water vapor estimates yield abundances of 10 to 20 precipitable microns, and no water vapor was detected over the north polar region.