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Mariner 9 celestial mechanics experiment - Gravity field and pole direction of Mars.Analysis of the Mariner 9 radio-tracking data shows that the Martian gravity field is rougher than that of earth or the moon, and that the accepted direction of the Mars rotation axis is in error by about 0.5 deg. Contours of equivalent surface heights deduced from a sixth-degree solution for the Martian gravity field are presented. These contours represent the deviations from sphericity of a uniformly dense body with an external potential which is given by the first sixth-degree solution. In addition to Doppler observations, ranging or group-delay measurements have been made regularly since orbit insertion.
Document ID
19720034680
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Lorell, J.
Born, G. H.
Christensen, E. J.
Jordan, J. F.
Laing, P. A.
Martin, W. L.
Sjogren, W. L.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Shapiro, I. I.
Reasenberg, R. D.
Slater, G. L.
(MIT Cambridge, Mass., United States)
Date Acquired
August 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 21, 1972
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 175
Subject Category
Space Sciences
Accession Number
72A18346
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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