Infrared spectroscopy experiment on the mariner 9 mission: preliminary results.

The Mariner 9 infrared spectroscopy experiment has provided goodquality spectra of many areas of Mars, predominantly in the southern hemisphere. Large portions of the thermal emission spectra are significantly affected by dust with a silicon oxide content approximately corresponding to that of an intermediate igneous rock, thus implying that Mars has undergone substantial geochemical differentiation. Derived temperature profiles indicate a warm daytime upper atmosphere with a strong warming over the south polar cap. Atmospheric water vapor is clearly observed over the south polar area and less strongly over other regions.

Mariner 9 michelson interferometer.

The Michelson interferometer on Mariner 9 measures the thermal emission spectrum of Mars between 200 cm(-1) and 2000 cm(-1) (between 5 microm and 50 microm) with a spectral resolution of 2.4 cm(-1) in the apodized mode. A noise equivalent radiance of 0.5 x 10(-7) W cm(-2) sr(-1)/cm(-1) is deduced from data recorded in orbit around Mars. The Mariner interferometer deviates in design from the Nimbus 3 and 4 interferometers in several areas, notably, by a cesium iodide beam splitter and certain aspects of the digital information processing. Special attention has been given to the problem of external vibration. The instrument performance is demonstrated by calibration data and samples of Mars spectra.

Nimbus 4 michelson interferometer.

The Michelson interferometer, IRIS-D, flown on Nimbus 4 in April 1970 is an improved version of the interferometer, IRIS-B, flown on Nimbus 3 a year earlier. Thermal emission spectra of the earth are being recorded between 400 cm(-1) and 1600 cm(-1) with a nominal spectral resolution of 2.8 cm(-1) and a noise equivalent radiance between approximately 0.5 and 1 erg sec(-1) cm(-2) ster(-1) cm. This paper describes the design and performance of the IRIS-D and concentrates on the design differences that exist between the interferometers flown on Nimbus 3 and 4. The performance is demonstrated by examples of spectra obtained while in earth orbit.

The Nimbus III Michelson Interferometer.

The Michelson interferometer flown on Nimbus III in April 1969 has obtained infrared emission spectra of the earth and its atmosphere within 400 cm(-1) and 2000 cm(-1) (5 micro and 25 micro). Spectra of good quality have been recorded with a spectral resolution corresponding to 5 cm(-1). This paper discusses the design of the instrument including the optical layout, the phase locked loop operation of the Michelson motor, and the functioning of the reference interferometer. The methods of data reduction and in-flight calibration are demonstrated on sample spectra recorded while in orbit around the earth.