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Science 17 November 1972:
Vol. 178. no. 4062, pp. 745 - 747
DOI: 10.1126/science.178.4062.745
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Articles

Mercury: Surface Composition from the Reflection Spectrum

Thomas B. McCord 1 and John B. Adams 2

1 Planetary Astronomy Laboratory, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139
2 West Indies Laboratory, Fairleigh Dickinson University, St. Croix, Virgin Islands

The reflection spectrum for the integral disk of the planet Mercury was measured and was found to have a constant positive slope from 0.32 to 1.05 micrometers, except for absorption features in the infrared. The reflectivity curve matches closely the curve for the lunar upland and mare regions. Thus, the surface of Mercury is probably covered with a lunar-like soil rich in dark glasses of high iron and titanium content. Pyroxene is probably the dominant mafic mineral.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Spectroscopic Observations of Mercury's Surface Reflectance During MESSENGER's First Mercury Flyby.
W. E. McClintock, N. R. Izenberg, G. M. Holsclaw, D. T. Blewett, D. L. Domingue, J. W. Head III, J. Helbert, T. J. McCoy, S. L. Murchie, M. S. Robinson, et al. (2008)
Science 321, 62-65
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Redox Conditions on Small Bodies, the Moon and Mars.
M. Wadhwa (2008)
Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry 68, 493-510
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Asteroids: Surface Composition from Reflection Spectroscopy.
T. B. McCord, T. B. McCord, and M. J. Gaffey (1974)
Science 186, 352-355
   Abstract »    PDF »
Mercury's Atmosphere from Mariner 10: Preliminary Results.
A. L. Broadfoot, A. L. Broadfoot, S. Kumar, M. J. S. Belton, and M. B. McElroy (1974)
Science 185, 166-169
   Abstract »    PDF »
Mercury's Surface: Preliminary Description and Interpretation from Mariner 10 Pictures.
B. C. Murray, B. C. Murray, M. J. S. Belton, G. E. Danielson, M. E. Davies, D. E. Gault, B. Hapke, B. O'Leary, R. G. Strom, V. Suomi, et al. (1974)
Science 185, 169-179
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