Three Mars Years: Viking Lander 1 Imaging Observations

The Mutch Memorial Station (Viking Lander 1) on Mars acquired imaging and meteorological data over a period of 2245 martian days (3.3 martian years). This article discusses the deposition and erosion of thin deposits (ten to hundreds of micrometers) of bright red dust associated with global dust sto...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1983-11, Vol.222 (4623), p.463-468
Main Authors: Arvidson, Raymond E., Guinness, Edward A., Moore, Henry J., Tillman, James, Wall, Stephen D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomy
Cameras
Diodes
Document imaging
Dust storms
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Imaging
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Mars
Mars (Planet)
Mars probes
Meteorological research
Natural history
Observations
Planets, their satellites and rings. Asteroids
Radiance
Soil erosion
Solar system
Space sciences
Storms
Wind erosion
Wind velocity
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Summary:The Mutch Memorial Station (Viking Lander 1) on Mars acquired imaging and meteorological data over a period of 2245 martian days (3.3 martian years). This article discusses the deposition and erosion of thin deposits (ten to hundreds of micrometers) of bright red dust associated with global dust storms, and the removal of centimeter amounts of material in selected areas during a dust storm late in the third winter. Atmospheric pressure data acquired during the period of intense erosion imply that baroclinic disturbances and strong diurnal solar tidal heating combined to produce strong winds. Erosion occurred principally in areas where soil cohesion was reduced by earlier surface sampler activities. Except for redistribution of thin layers of materials, the surface appears to be remarkably stable, perhaps because of cohesion of the undisturbed surface material.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.222.4623.463