Bright-region radiative properties within the Mars south polar cap (Ls=231) from near-infrared spectroscopic imaging

Near-infrared spectroscopic imaging of a bright region within the Mars seasonal south polar cap was conducted during southern spring (Ls=231) near the 2003 opposition, using the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility. The measured spectra are well represented by CO2 ice with grain radius of 13 mm and admixed dust and water ice concentrations of 0.005 and 0.002 wt%, respectively. We present a representative spectral (0.2-100 μm) surface albedo for the bright region.