Spectral Reflectivity of Mars

Abstract

Analysis of data on the spectral reflectivity curves for both bright and dark areas of Mars disclosed several features not considered in previous models of the martian surface. The shape of the mean spectral geometric albedo curve between 0.3 and about 1.3 microns for Mars is defined to within a few percent. Spectral reflectivity curves based on relative reflectivity data were calculated for both a bright and a dark region between 0.4 and 1.1 microns. The curve for the dark region shows a broad, deep (∼13 percent) absorption feature centered near 1 micron. The curve for the dark area crosses that of the bright area between 0.4 and 0.5 micron during some martian seasons.