VO1/VO2 MARS IRTM: Viking Orbiter Infrared Thermal Mapper Data

Mars infrared thermal mapping data acquired by the Viking orbiters. The database contains time, geometry, and radiative parameters from the IRTM instrument, including latitude, longitude, and model temperatures. The data was produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with methodology described in a 1977 Journal of Geophysical Research paper.

Use Cases

• Mapping surface thermal inertias based on thermal emission data
• Correlating thermal properties with surficial geologic units based on the described methodology
• Modeling Martian surface temperatures based on derived model temperatures
• Analyzing spacecraft position relative to Mars based on parameters like emission and solar incidence angles

Strengths

• Data originates from the authoritative Viking orbiter mission by NASA
• Includes geospatial parameters like latitude and longitude for each measured point
• Methodology is documented in a peer-reviewed 1977 Journal of Geophysical Research paper

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Acquired by the Infrared Thermal Mapper (IRTM) instrument on the Viking orbiters.

Time Range

Viking Primary Mission period (likely 1970s)

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 19:01:23.391722; freshness should be verified

Geography

Mars