Mars Atmosphere Composition

Stsci_2022-506b_1024

stsci_2022-506b September 19th, 2022

Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, MARS JWST/GTO team

Webb’s first near-infrared spectrum of Mars, captured by the Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) Sept. 5, 2022, as part of the Guaranteed Time Observation Program 1415, over 3 slit gratings (G140H, G235H, G395H). The spectrum is dominated by reflected sunlight at wavelengths shorter than 3 microns and thermal emission at longer wavelengths. Preliminary analysis reveals the spectral dips appear at specific wavelengths where light is absorbed by molecules in Mars’ atmosphere, specifically carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water. Other details reveal information about dust, clouds, and surface features. By constructing a best-fit model of the spectrum, for example, the Planetary Spectrum Generator, abundances of given molecules in the atmosphere can be derived.

Provider: Space Telescope Science Institute

Image Source: https://webbtelescope.org/contents/early-highlights/mars-is-mighty-in-first-webb-observations-of-red-planet

Curator: STScI, Baltimore, MD, USA

Image Use Policy: http://stsci.edu/copyright/

View Options

Image Details

Image Type
Chart
Object Name
Mars
Subject - Solar System
Planet > Type > Terrestrial

Distance

Position Details

Position (ICRS)
RA = 0h 0m 0.0s
DEC = 0° 0’ 0.0”
Constellation
Pisces

Color Mapping

  Telescope Spectral Band Wavelength
Grayscale Webb (NIRSpec) Infrared 1000.0 nm
Grayscale Webb (NIRSpec) Infrared 5.0 µm
Spectrum_base
Grayscale
Grayscale
Stsci_2022-506b_1280
×
ID
2022-506b
Subject Category
A.1.1.1  
Subject Name
Mars
Credits
NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, MARS JWST/GTO team
Release Date
2022-09-19
Lightyears
1.399e-5
Redshift
1.399e-5
Reference Url
https://webbtelescope.org/contents/early-highlights/mars-is-mighty-in-first-webb-observations-of-red-planet
Type
Chart
Image Quality
Good
Distance Notes
Average distance from Earth in miles: 82.255 million
Facility
Webb, Webb
Instrument
NIRSpec, NIRSpec
Color Assignment
Grayscale, Grayscale
Band
Infrared, Infrared
Bandpass
Central Wavelength
1000, 5000
Start Time
Integration Time
Dataset ID
Notes
Coordinate Frame
ICRS
Equinox
Reference Value
0, 0
Reference Dimension
Reference Pixel
Scale
Rotation
Coordinate System Projection:
Quality
Position
FITS Header
Notes
Creator (Curator)
STScI
URL
http://stsci.edu
Name
Space Telescope Science Institute Office of Public Outreach
Email
outreach@stsci.edu
Telephone
410-338-4444
Address
3700 San Martin Drive
City
Baltimore
State/Province
MD
Postal Code
21218
Country
USA
Rights
http://stsci.edu/copyright/
Publisher
STScI
Publisher ID
stsci
Resource ID
STSCI-J-p22506b-f-3840x2500.tif
Metadata Date
2022-09-20
Metadata Version
1.2
×

 

Detailed color mapping information coming soon...

×

There is no distance meta data in this image.

 

Providers | Sign In