Permittivity estimation of layers beneath the northern polar layered deposits, Mars

Abstract

Martian Polar Layered Deposits, most likely dusty ice are transparent to radar waves. In the North Pole bedrock has been detected by MARSIS up to a depth about 2 Km, whereas in the South Pole such interface has been located at about 3.7 Km. The reflected signal is generally above the noise and can be used to estimate the dielectric properties of the bedrock. Assuming the permittivity of the first layer is known, we use a simplified inversion method to extract the bedrock relative dielectric permittivity as 4-9 below the North PLD's. These values are coherent with the basalt nature and so the approach could be used to identify the lithology beneath the Martian Poles. Copyright 2010 by the American Geophysical Union.