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Veverka, J.

Publications and source records attributed to Veverka, J..

At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Lunar occultation of Saturn. III - How big is Iapetus

The orbital light curve of Iapetus is analyzed, and the bright material on the trailing face of the satellite is found to have an effective limb-darkening parameter of 0.62 (+0.10, -0.12). This result is combined with observations of a lunar occultation of Iapetus to derive a radius of 718 (+87, -78) km for the satellite. The specific patchy albedo model of Morrison et al. (1975) is shown to fit the observed orbital light curve precisely and to yield an occultation radius of 724 + or - 60 km. It is noted that the values determined for the limb-darkening parameter and for the normal reflectance (in V) of the material at the center of the bright face are consistent with a partial water-frost cover on the bright side of Iapetus. It is concluded that if the albedo model of Morrison et al. reliably represents the surface of Iapetus, the radius of that satellite is 724 + or - 60 km, which is consistent with the radiometric radius of 835 (+50, -75) km derived by Morrison et al. (1975).

Veverka, J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Near-opposition limb darkening of solids of planetary interest

Results are presented for a general laboratory study of the limb darkening at small phase angles of various materials of planetary interest, with particular attention given to the wavelength dependence of limb darkening. Only substances stable at room temperature were measured, including basalt, graphite, mixtures of MgO and charcoal powders, olivine, goethite, bronzite, CaCO3, MgSO4, BaSO4, limonite, and hematite. Previous studies aimed at determining the nature of limb darkening at opposition for different common materials are reviewed. It is found that the scattering properties of most particulate materials near phase zero can be described adequately by Minnaert's law, but that such a representation is totally inadequate for materials that tend to fracture into flakes with mirrorlike surfaces (e.g., bronzite and graphite). The results also indicate that materials such as olivine have scattering properties within deep absorption bands which exhibit definite departures from Minnaert's law at large angles of incidence or emission.

Veverka, J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The composition of Phobos - Evidence for carbonaceous chondrite surface from spectral analysis

In connection with a need for more definitive information concerning the composition of Phobos in a study of its origin, an ultraviolet-visible-infrared reflectance spectrum of the Martian satellite was compiled from the Mariner 9 ultraviolet spectrometer, Viking lander imaging, and ground-based photometric data. The probable surface composition of Phobos was deduced by comparing the obtained spectrum with the spectra of asteroids of known composition. The considered data show that the reflectivity of Phobos is flat from 1100 to 400 nm but decreases sharply in the ultraviolet to about 1 percent at 212 nm. The reflectance spectrum is similar to the spectra of asteroids Ceres and Pallas which were found to have surface compositions similar to that of carbonaceous chondrites. It is concluded that the surface composition of Phobos is also similar to that of carbonaceous chondrites. The results of the investigation point to different modes of origin for Mars and Phobos.

Pang, K. D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Multicolor observations of Phobos with the Viking lander cameras - Evidence for a carbonaceous chondritic composition

The reflectivity of Phobos has been determined in the spectral region from 0.4 to 1.1 micrometers from images taken with a Viking lander camera. The reflectivity curve is flat in this spectral interval and the geometric albedo equals 0.05 + or - 0.01. These results, together with Phobos's reflectivity spectrum in the ultraviolet, are compared with laboratory spectra of carbonaceous chondrites and basalts. The spectra of carbonaceous chondrites are consistent with the observations, whereas the basalt spectra are not. These findings raise the possibility that Phobos may be a captured object rather than a natural satellite of Mars.

Pollack, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Some important imaging goals for asteroid missions

Very high resolution imaging provides the best means of examining geological processes acting on asteroid surfaces. Imaging also may be important for revealing how asteroids accreted and for obtaining some data on their differentiation history. Imaging from rendezvous together with Doppler tracking is the only way to determine accurate densities and hence place limits on bulk composition.

Veverka, J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The surfaces of Phobos and Deimos

Knowledge acquired from spacecraft observations of the surfaces of Phobos and Deimos is reviewed. Consideration is given to: the first spacecraft data - Mariner 7; the first systematic exploration - Mariner 9; surface texture and composition from Mariner 9 data; surface morphology from Mariner 9; and Viking results. A series of Viking photographs of Phobos and Deimos is presented.

Veverka, J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Characteristics of the cratering process on small satellites and asteroids

Photographs of the two known natural satellites of Mars - Phobos and Deimos - illustrate the importance of impact cratering in the postformational histories of the two moons and, by inference, the asteroids and other small planetary satellites. The objectives of the present study are to investigate qualitatively the impact cratering process on small bodies, to apply some of these considerations to the observed surfaces of Phobos and Deimos, and to consider the asteroids briefly in the light of these results. The cratering process on small bodies is discussed in three stages: compression, excavation, and modification. Nonescaping and escaping ejecta are considered.

Cintala, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The origin of the grooves on Phobos

Various theories for the long, linear depressions on the surface of Phobos are reviewed. Imagery from Viking Orbiters is used to map the surface distribution of the grooves, study their morphology, and date them by means of the density of superimposed impact craters. Data is presented which tends to support the hypothesis that the deep-seated fracturing was caused by a large, nearly catastrophic cratering event. It is suggested that the grooves were produced during the creation of the Stickney crater, rather than as the result of tidal stresses induced by Mars or by drag forces during the hypothetical capture of the satellite by Mars.

Thomas, P. C.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Occultation of Epsilon Geminorum by Mars. II - The structure and extinction of the Martian upper atmosphere

The occultation of Epsilon Geminorum by Mars on April 8, 1976, was observed at three wavelengths and 4-ms time resolution with the 91-cm telescope aboard NASA's G. P. Kuiper Airborne Observatory. Temperature, pressure, and number-density profiles of the Martian atmosphere were obtained for both the immersion and emersion events. Within the altitude range 50-80 km above the mean surface, the mean temperature is about 145 K, and the profiles exhibit wavelike structures with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 35 K and a vertical scale of about 20 km. The ratio of the refractivity of the atmosphere at 4500 A and 7500 A is consistent with the atmospheric composition measured by Viking 1. From the 'central flash' - a bright feature in the light curve midway between immersion and emersion - an optical depth at 4500 A of 3.3 + or - 1.7 per km atm (about 0.23 per equivalent Martian air mass) is found for the atmosphere about 25 km above the mean surface near the south polar region. This large value and its weak wavelength dependence rule out Rayleigh scattering as the principal cause of the observed extinction.

Elliot, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A Study of Variable Features on Mars During the Viking Primary Mission

The Viking coverage revealed numerous wind streaks on the surface of Mars. The Viking images have provided the first good examples of very distinctive mixed tone streaks which appear to consist of a tapered light streak bordered by two dark side lobes. Attention is given to a general lack of eolian activity, eolian activity on the slopes of the Tharsis volcanos, spectacular albedo changes since 1972, more subtle albedo changes, surface detail and wind flow patterns in Hellas, wind flow in the vicinity of Olympus Mons, and a comparison of the 1972 and 1976 wind streak patterns.

Veverka, J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Viking Imaging of Phobos and Deimos: An Overview of the Primary Mission

During the Viking primary mission the cameras on the two orbiters acquired about 50 pictures of the two Martian moons. The Viking images of the satellites have a higher surface resolution than those obtained by Mariner 9. The typical surface resolution achieved was 100-200 m, although detail as small as 40 m was imaged on Phobos during a particularly close passage. Attention is given to color sequences obtained for each satellite, aspects of phase angle coverage, and pictures for ephemeris improvement.

Duxbury, T. C.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Viking Observations of Phobos and Deimos: Preliminary Results

The improved resolution of the Viking images has led to the discovery of a number of unusual surface features on Phobos. The features include elongated rill-like depressions associated with the crater Stickney, chains and clusters of irregular elongated craters, and linear striations or grooves. Crater counts are also considered. A total of 27 craters ranging in size from 0.3 to 1.4 km are visible on the best Deimos frame available. Craters ranging from 50 m to 4.9 km in diameter can be observed on the best of the Phobos images.

Veverka, J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Phobos - Surface density of impact craters

Revised crater counts for Phobos are presented which are based on uniform Mariner 9 imagery and Duxbury's (1974) map of the satellite. The contiguous portion of the satellite's surface on which all craters down to the limiting resolution of 0.2 to 0.3 km in diameter would be expected to be identified is delineated and found to contain 87 identifiable craters larger than 0.2 km in diameter. Analysis of the crater size distribution shows that the surface appears to be saturated for craters exceeding 1 km in diameter but the crater counts definitely fall below the saturation curve for smaller craters. Reasons for this fall-off are considered, and it is noted that too few craters are visible in Mariner 9 images of Deimos to permit meaningful crater counts on that satellite's surface. It is concluded that, contrary to a previous assertion, the surfaces of Phobos and Deimos are not known to be saturated with craters larger than 0.2 km in diameter.

Thomas, P.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Uranus occults SAO158687

Experience gained in obtaining atmospheric parameters, oblatenesses, and diameters of Jupiter and Mars from recent stellar occultations by these planets is used to predict what can be learned from the March 1977 occultation of the star SAO158687 by Uranus. The spectra of this star and Uranus are compared to indicate the relative instrument intensities of the two objects, the four passbands where the relative intensities are most nearly equal are listed, and expected photon fluxes from the star are computed on the assumption that it has UBVRI colors appropriate for a K5 main-sequence object. It is shown that low photon noise errors can be achieved by choosing appropriate passbands for observation, and the rms error expected for the Uranus temperature profiles obtained from the occultation light curves is calculated. It is suggested that observers of this occultation should record their data digitally for optimum time resolution.

Elliot, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Occultation of Epsilon Geminorum by Mars - Evidence for atmospheric tides

Epsilon Geminorum occultation data obtained on April 8, 1976, with the aid of a 91-cm telescope aboard the NASA Kuiper Airborne Observatory have provided a basis for the determination of temperature, pressure, and number density profiles of the Martian atmosphere. The results concerning the temperature profiles are compared with those of Viking 1 reported by Nier et al. (1976) and with theoretical predictions of thermally driven tides in the Martian atmosphere made by Zurek (1976).

Elliot, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The photometric functions of Phobos and Deimos. II - Surface photometry of Deimos

Mariner 9 television pictures of Deimos are used to study the uniformity of a certain photometric scattering parameter over the surface of the satellite. It is shown that the photometric data considered satisfy the reciprocity principle and that the Hapke-Irvine scattering law is adequate for describing the surface. Phase functions for Deimos are obtained from scans along the photometric equator, and the photometric behavior of the brightest and darkest areas on the satellite's disk is examined. The results indicate that the surface of Deimos is covered uniformly by a dark and texturally complex material whose photometric behavior is well-represented by the Hapke-Irvine law, that the intrinsic phase coefficient of this material is about 0.017 mag/deg over the phase-angle range from 20 to 80 deg, and that slightly brighter material is present near some craters. Since enhanced brightening was not observed at the specular point of the photometric equator in any of the pictures studied, it is concluded that large exposures of solid rock are absent from the Mars-facing side of Deimos.

Noland, M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The photometric functions of Phobos and Deimos. III - Surface photometry of Phobos

Mariner 9 television pictures of Phobos are used to study the uniformity of a certain photometric scattering parameter over the surface of the satellite, assuming that the scattering law for Phobos can be represented by the Hapke-Irvine equation. Ways of avoiding topographically irregular areas are discussed, phase functions for Phobos are obtained from scans along the photometric equator, and the photometric behavior of selected areas not along this equator is examined. Searches are conducted for anomalously bright areas and evidence of solid rock on the surface. The results indicate that: (1) at least three large regions on the surface of Phobos are covered by a dark material of complex texture which scatters light according to the Hapke-Irvine law; (2) the average intrinsic phase coefficient of this material is 0.020 mag/deg over the phase-angle range from 20 to 80 deg; (3) even the topographically irregular areas have photometric properties similar to those of the three smooth regions; (4) the surface of Phobos is rougher than that of Deimos on the largest scale; and (5) apparent bright patches are most likely caused by local tilts of the surface.

Noland, M.↗