Preliminary results from the viking x-ray fluorescence experiment: The first sample from chryse planitia, Mars
Science
By: P. Toulmin III, B. C. Clark, A. K. Baird, Klaus Keil, and H. J. Rose Jr.
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Abstract
Iron, calcium, aluminum, silicon, and sulfur are major elements in the first surface sample of Mars that has been analyzed by the Viking x-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Titanium is present in minor quantities. This is consistent with the sample being a mixture of fine silicate and oxide mineral grains, with a significant proportion of sulfates, possibly hydrated. Ferric oxide is regarded as the red pigmenting agent on the martian surface, but if it coats silicate grains, the coatings must be very thin (??? 2 micrometers) or discontinuous. A high abundance of Fe, relatively low abundances of Al, Rb, Sr, and Zr, and a high Ca/K ratio are distinctive features of the spectra. Preliminary determinations indicate the following abundances (as percentages by weight): Fe, 14 ?? 2; Ti < 1; S, 2 to 5; the Ca/K ratio by weight is greater than 5.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Preliminary results from the viking x-ray fluorescence experiment: The first sample from chryse planitia, Mars |
| Series title | Science |
| Volume | 194 |
| Issue | 4260 |
| Year Published | 1976 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Science |
| First page | 81 |
| Last page | 84 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |