Investigation of Surface Properties by the Planetary Fourier Spectrometer on Board of the Mars 94 Mission

Abstract

The Planetary Fourier Spectrometer (PFS) is intended for the Mars 96 mission. It covers a wavelength range form 1.3 to 45 muem in two channels with a spectral resolution of 2 cm-1 and an angular resolution of 35 and 70 mrad. The instrument is a Dual Rotational Interferometer and is optimized for studies of the Martian atmosphere. Moreover, the measurements of PFS will provide information about surface properties. The spectral radiance of typical target areas is calculated. The results show that the measurements will provide different informationabout the absorption bands of surface constituents. This includes the absorption band of bound water near 3 muem in the reflectance spectra of bright areas at high solar elevation. Spectral features between 10 and 35 muem in the emission spectra of regions with surface temperatures up to 300 K can be used for limited information of the surface composition. The emissivity and the surface temperature even of the coldest Martian regions can be determined by measurements of the thermal radiation.