2000/04/01 by B. M. Jakosky, M. T. Mellon, H. H. Kieffer +3 · 106 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Engineering · #Planetary Science and Exploration #Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life #Space Exploration and Technology #Mars Exploration Program #Martian #Thermal #Thermal inertia #Martian surface #Atmosphere of Mars #Inertia #Albedo (alchemy) #Environmental science #Mars landing #Atmospheric sciences #Physics #Astrobiology #Meteorology #Exploration of Mars
paper · doi:10.1029/1999je001088
published in Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres 105(E4), 9643-9652 (American Geophysical Union)
openalex publication_date 2000/04/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
We have used Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Thermal Emission Spectrometer thermal emission measurements to derive the thermal inertia of the Martian surface at the ∼100‐km spatial scale. We have validated the use of nighttime‐only measurements to derive thermal inertia as well as the use of a single wavelength band versus bolometric thermal emission measurements. We have also reanalyzed the Viking Infrared Thermal Mapper data set in a similar manner in order to allow a direct comparison between the two. Within the uncertainties of the fit of the data to the model, and the uncertainties inherent in the model, the thermal inertia has not changed substantially in the 21 years between the Viking and the MGS measurements. Although some differences are seen, they are most likely due to changes in albedo during the intervening years or to residual effects of airborne dust that are not fully accounted for in the thermal models. The thermal inertia values that we derive, between about 24 and 800 J m −2 s −1/2 K −1 , are thought to better represent the actual thermal inertia of the Martian surface than previous estimates.