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Mineral equilibria and the high radar reflectivity of Venus mountaintopsThe relationship between altitude and microwave emissivity in 10 highland regions of Venus is investigated on the basis of the Magellan data set. Highlands on Venus are found to display high radar reflectivity. The required change in surface electrical properties occurs abruptly at a 'critical altitude,' whose value varies from one highland area to another. Critical altitudes range from 4.75 km to 2.49 km. Differences in reflectivity are caused by differences in the surface mineral assemblage, which determines the dielectric constant of surface material. The mineral responsible for high radar reflectivity on mountaintops is pyrite, which occurs in weathered mineral assemblages at high altitudes. Conductive pyrite occurs dispersed in insulating materials, forming a loaded dielectric material.
Document ID
19930030873
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Klose, K. B.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Wood, J. A.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Hashimoto, A.
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
October 25, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 97
Issue: E10
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
93A14870
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: JPL-958593
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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