NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Spectrophotometric and color estimates of the Viking lander sitesThe spectral radiance and color of the Martian sky and soil and the spectral reflectance of soil features are estimated from six-channel (0.4-1.0 micron) spectral data obtained with the Viking lander cameras. Images taken near local noon from the two landers reveal a sky that is brighter near the horizon than the soil but with a similar spectral radiance shape and color. The scenes are predominantly moderate yellowish brown in color with only subtle variations except for some dark grey rocks. Most spectral reflectance estimates are similar: they rise rapidly with increasing wavelength between 0.4 and 0.8 micron and with only a few exceptions exhibit a pronounced minimum centered about 0.93 micron. These characteristics are consistent with an abundance of Fe(3+)-rich weathering products, notably nontronite. However, the delineation of the number and abundances of total mineral phases requires further analyses and laboratory comparisons. Reflectance estimates for rocks have not been repeatable, probably because most rocks have irregular pitted surfaces that introduce significant shadowing components.
Document ID
19780027522
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Huck, F. O.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Jobson, D. J.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Park, S. K.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Wall, S. D.
(NASA Langley Research Center Flight Electronics Div. and Analysis and Computation Div., Hampton, Va., United States)
Arvidson, R. E.
(Washington University St. Louis, Mo., United States)
Patterson, W. R.
(Brown University Providence, R.I., United States)
Benton, W. D.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
September 30, 1977
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 82
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
78A11431
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available