Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite observations of the Martian atmosphere: Temperature and vertical distribution of water vapor
Publication Date
2000
Journal or Book Title
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
Abstract
We report the first detections of absorption features in the submillimeter spectrum of Mars that are due to the H2O (110-101) and 13CO (5-4) rotational transitions. Observations were obtained over several days near the planet's closest approach to Earth in 1999 April. These observations simultaneously provide us with an opportunity to derive the atmospheric temperature structure and to measure directly the distribution of water vapor with altitude. The Martian atmosphere is found to be relatively cool, consistent with results found from ground-based millimeter observations of CO. The distribution of water in the Martian atmosphere matches a profile of constant, 100% saturation from 10 to 45 km altitude.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1086/312857
Pages
L143-L146
Volume
539
Issue
2
Recommended Citation
Gurwell, MA; Bergin, EA; Melnick, GJ; Ashby, MLN; Chin, G; Erickson, NR; Goldsmith, PF; Harwit, M; Howe, JE; Kleiner, SC; Koch, DG; Neufeld, DA; Patten, BM; Plume, R; Schieder, R; Snell, RL; Stauffer, JR; Tolls, V; Wang, Z; Winnewisser, G; and Zhang, YF, "Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite observations of the Martian atmosphere: Temperature and vertical distribution of water vapor" (2000). ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL. 642.
https://doi.org/10.1086/312857
Comments
The published version is located at http://iopscience.iop.org/1538-4357/539/2/L143