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High-Dispersion Spectroscopic Observations of Mars. II. The Water-Vapor Variations

DOI

50

Citations

0

References

1967

Year

Ronald A. Schorn, Hyron Spinrad, R. C. Moore, H. J. Smith, Lawrence P. Giver
The Astrophysical Journal

Abstract

Nineteen high-dispersion spectrograms of Mars taken at McDonald and Lick Observatories during the apparition have been examined for Doppler-shifted rotational lines of H1O near 8200. The presence of 1110 in the atmosphere of Mars appears to be confirmed, but indications are that its concentration varies with time and location on the planet. Typical amounts of H1O are of the order of 1() 20 precipitable water vapor. The spectroscopic results are compared with photographic patrol studies during this apparition The amount of water in the vapor phase seems to depend upon the size of the Martian polar cap, implying a physical connection between the two.