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[60.04] Spectral properties of Mars in the visible near infrared during the 1997 opposition

G. Bellucci (CNR - Istituto Fisica Spazio Interplanetario)

Imaging spectroscopy observations of Mars in the 0.4 ÷ 1 \mum wavelength domain were obtained during the opposition occurred in march 1997. The data cover the Syrtis Major and Arabia regions; north pole was also visible. The images show the classical albedo units in the red, while in the blue the surface contrast almost vanish. Condensates on Hellas, north pole, Elysium and Acidalia, probably due to H₂O ice crystals, are visible in the blue images. Spectral analysis shows the presence of a rare effect, named ''albedo reversal'', occurring on Syrtis Major, Vastitas Borealis and Elysium. While this effect has been historically attributed to the spectral properties of surface, from our study appears that an atmosphere contribution could exist. We attribute the enhanced UV--VIS brightness to phase properties of airborne dust--H₂O ice coated particles.

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The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: bellucci@swartz.ifsi.rm.cnr.it

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