Viking orbiter photography during the primary mission combined with lander indications of surface properties have permitted the estimation of atmospheric optical depths and phase functions. Highly variable time of day opacities ranging from 0.05 to 0.6 are seen to occur in three principle regions. A wavelength-dependent particulate component plus a time variable grey aerosol of higher density may explain these opacities versus time of day. These data should serve as a basis for extended mission comparisons. |