Mars atlas resources
Revision as of 08:04, 19 October 2024 by RichardWSmith (talk | contribs) (Give more information about the gamma ray spectrometer)
Some Resources on Mars have been mapped using the gamma ray spectrometer instrument of Mars Odyssey[1]. Cosmic rays activate atoms on the surface, which emit gamma rays at specific frequencies based on the element. This instrument detects surface deposits, and does not show deeper ore bodies.
Using the radiation signatures of elements with radioactive isotopes, maps of surface abundance of water (Hydrogen), Thorium, Chlorine, Iron, Silicon, Potassium have been made.
Water concentrations in polar latitudes are much higher.