Spectroscopic Evidence for Vegetation on Mars.

Abstract

A new test for the presence of vegetation on Mars depends on the fact that all organic molecules have absorption bands in the vicinity of 3.4 . These bands have been studied in the reflection spectrum of terrestrial plants, and it is found that for most plants a doublet band appears which has a separation of about 0.1 and is centered about 3.46 M Spectra of Mars taken during the 1956 opposition indicate the probable presence of this band. TLis evidence and the well-known seasonal changes of the dark areas make it extremely probable that vegetation in some form is present.