Martian North Polar Cap 1996-1997

Abstract

In order to investigate the interannual variability of the regression of the martian north polar cap, the regression of the martian north polar cap during the 1996-1997 apparition is examined utilizing measurements with CCD images.

The regression of the north polar cap in 1996-1997 as determined from our measurements is in excellent agreement with concurrent observations using the Hubble Space Telescope. The regression of the north polar cap in 1996-1997 seems to be a little faster than the mean regression or the regression in 1979-1980 afterL_s=51° but seems to be similar to those in 1946, 1948, 1950, 1972, 1977-1978, and 1994-1995.