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McElroy MB, Kong TY, Yung YL, et al. Composition and structure of the martian upper atmosphere: analysis of results from viking. Science. 1976;194(4271):1295-8doi: 10.1126/science.194.4271.1295.
McElroy, M. B., Kong, T. Y., Yung, Y. L., & Nier, A. O. (1976). Composition and structure of the martian upper atmosphere: analysis of results from viking. Science (New York, N.Y.), 194(4271), 1295-8. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.194.4271.1295
McElroy, M B, et al. "Composition and structure of the martian upper atmosphere: analysis of results from viking." Science (New York, N.Y.) vol. 194,4271 (1976): 1295-8. doi: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.194.4271.1295
McElroy MB, Kong TY, Yung YL, Nier AO. Composition and structure of the martian upper atmosphere: analysis of results from viking. Science. 1976 Dec 11;194(4271):1295-8. doi: 10.1126/science.194.4271.1295. PMID: 17797087.
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Science. 1976 Dec 11;194(4271):1295-8. doi: 10.1126/science.194.4271.1295.

Composition and structure of the martian upper atmosphere: analysis of results from viking.

Science (New York, N.Y.)

M B McElroy, T Y Kong, Y L Yung, A O Nier

PMID: 17797087 DOI: 10.1126/science.194.4271.1295

Abstract

Densities for carbon dioxide measured by the upper atmospheric mass spectrometers on Viking 1 and Viking 2 are analyzed to yield height profiles for the temperature of the martian atmosphere between 120 and 200 kilometers. Densities for nitrogen and argon are used to derive vertical profiles for the eddy diffusion coefficient over the same height range. The upper atmosphere of Mars is surprisingly cold with average temperatures for both Viking 1 and Viking 2 of less than 200 degrees K, and there is significant vertical structure. Model calculations are presented and shown to be in good agreement with measured concentrations of carbon monoxide, oxygen, and nitric oxide.

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