Regression of the South Polar Cap in 2003

Albino Carbognani
UAI - Planet Section
July 18, 2003

The regression of the Martian south polar cap (SPC) has been examinated from terrestrial observatories for a long time but the behavior is different from year to year. In this page I show the results of measurements of the SPC in 2003. Using the Iris planetary cartography commands I have measured the latitude of the border of SPC, in order to obtain the regression rate, and derived some azimutal projection of the cap (work in progress).

Fig.1 - The regression of SPC in 2003. A mean regression curve is represented by a solid red line. The mean regression rate is 0.20° (12 km), for a degree of areocentric longitude of the Sun. Last update July 15, 2003.

Azimuthal projection of the South Polar Cap

Fig.2 - Mosaic of SPC in red ligth with Ls between 207° and 214° (Azimuthal Equidistant Projection).

Fig.3 - Mosaic of SPC in red ligth with Ls between 214° and 221° (Azimuthal Equidistant Projection).

I want to thank Christian Fattinanzi, Ed Grafton, Eric Ng, Donald Parker and Tan Wei Leong for their excellent images during this opposition.