TES mapping of Mars' north seasonal cap

The Mars Global Surveyor thermal emission spectrometer has made observations of Mars' north polar region for nearly a full martian year. Measurements of bolometric emission and reflectance, as well as brightness temperatures in specific bands synthesized from thermal radiance spectra, are used to track the behavior of surface and atmospheric temperatures, the distribution of condensed CO₂ and H₂O, and the occurrence of dust storms. CO₂ grain size in the polar night is variable in space and time, and is influenced by atmospheric conditions. Some specific locations display concentration of H₂O frost and indicate the presence of long-term water-ice near the surface. Annual budgets of solid CO₂ range up to 1500 kg m⁻²; preliminary analysis suggests significant transport of energy into latitudes near 70°N during the polar night.