Abstract
ON April 8, 1976 Mars occulted the bright star ɛ Geminorum (magnitude 3.2). Predictions1 were issued well in advance since such occurrences are very rare: indeed, it is estimated that Mars occults a star as bright as this about once in 500 yr. Accurate observations of the duration of the occultation were made from four sites on the Earth and these are analysed here for the shape of the Martian atmosphere at that height at which the intensity of the starlight diminished by half. The oblateness is found to be about twice as great as that of the surface of Mars.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Taylor, G. E., J. Br. astr. Ass., 86, 33–34 (1975).
Elliot, J. L. et al., Sky Telesc., 52, 23–25 (1976).
Lorell, J. et al., Icarus, 18, 304–316 (1973).
Kliore, A. J., Bull. Am. astr. Soc., 2, 202–203 (1970).
Dollfus, A. Surfaces and Interiors of Planets and Satellites (Academic, London and New York, 1970).
Taylor, G. E., NAO Technical Note No. 34 (HM Nautical Almanac Office, 1974).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
TAYLOR, G. Oblateness of the atmosphere of Mars. Nature 264, 160–161 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/264160a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/264160a0
This article is cited by
-
Uranus occults SAO158687
Nature (1977)
-
Wave optics of the central spot in planetary occultations
Nature (1977)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
