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Science 10 September 1965:
Vol. 149. no. 3689, pp. 1243 - 1248
DOI: 10.1126/science.149.3689.1243
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Articles

Occultation Experiment: Results of the First Direct Measurement of Mars's Atmosphere and Ionosphere

Arvydas Kliore 1, Dan L. Cain 1, Gerald S. Levy 1, Von R. Eshleman 2, Gunnar Fjeldbo 2, and Frank D. Drake 3

1 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
2 Center for Radar Astronomy, Stanford University, Stanford, California
3 Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Changes in the frequency, phase, and amplitude of the Mariner IV radio signal, caused by passage through the atmosphere and ionosphere of Mars, were observed immediately before and after occultation by the planet. Preliminary analysis of these effects has yielded estimates of the refractivity and density of the atmosphere near the surface, the scale height in the atmosphere, and the electron density profile of the Martian ionosphere. The atmospheric density, temperature, and scale height are lower than previously predicted, as are the maximum density, temperature, scale height, and altitude of the ionosphere.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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Martian Ionosphere: A Component Due to Solar Protons.
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Frost Phenomena on Mars.
D. Anderson, D. M. Anderson, E. S. Gaffney, and P. F. Low (1967)
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Mars Ice Caps.
C. Leovy and C. Leovy (1966)
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Atmosphere of Mars: Mariner IV Models Compared.
G. Fjeldbo, G. Fjeldbo, W. C. Fjeldbo, and V. R. Eshleman (1966)
Science 153, 1518-1523
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The Martian Surface.
E. J. Oepik and E. J. Opik (1966)
Science 153, 255-265
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Behavior of Carbon Dioxide and Other Volatiles on Mars.
R. B. Leighton and B. C. Murray (1966)
Science 153, 136-144
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Upper Atmosphere and Ionosphere of Mars.
T. M. Donahue and T. M. Donahue (1966)
Science 152, 763-764
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Martian Atmosphere: The Mariner Occultation Experiment.
J. W. Chamberlain, J. W. Chamberlain, and M. B. McElroy (1966)
Science 152, 21-25
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Mars: Upper Atmosphere.
S. H. Gross, W. E. McGovern, and S. I. Rasool (1966)
Science 151, 1216-1221
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Mariner IV: Developing the Scientific Experiment.
G. A. Reiff (1966)
Science 151, 413-417
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Atmosphere of Mars.
F. S. Johnson and F. S. Johnson (1965)
Science 150, 1445-1448
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