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Armstrong et al. 2007
Armstrong, J.C., Nielson, S.K. and Titus, T.N. (2007). Survey of TES high albedo events in Mars' northern polar craters. Geophysical Research Letters 34: doi: 10.1029/2006GL027960. issn: 0094-8276.

Following the work exploring Korolev Crater (Armstrong et al., 2005) for evidence of crater interior ice deposits, we have conducted a survey of Thermal Emission Spectroscopy (TES) temperature and albedo measurements for Mars' northern polar craters larger than 10 km. Specifically, we identify a class of craters that exhibits brightening in their interiors during a solar longitude, L s , of 60 to 120 degrees, roughly depending on latitude. These craters vary in size, latitude, and morphology, but appear to have a specific regional association on the surface that correlates with the distribution of subsurface hydrogen (interpreted as water ice) previously observed on Mars. We suggest that these craters, like Korolev, exhibit seasonal high albedo frost events that indicate subsurface water ice within the craters. A detailed study of these craters may provide insight in the geographical distribution of the ice and context for future polar missions.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Global Change, Climate variability (1635, 3305, 3309, 4215, 4513), Magnetospheric Physics, Polar cap phenomena, Planetary Sciences, Solid Surface Planets, Impact phenomena, cratering (6022, 8136), Planetary Sciences, Solar System Objects, Mars
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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