Martian surface Martian surface The study of surface characteristics (or surface properties and processes) is a broad category of Mars science that examines the nature of the materials making up the Martian surface. The study evolved from telescopic and remote-sensing techniques developed by astronomers to study planetary surfaces. However, it has increasingly become a subdiscipline of geology as automated spacecraft bring ever-improving resolution and instrument capabilities. By using characteristics such as color, albedo, and thermal inertia and analytical tools such as reflectance spectroscopy and radar, scientists are able to study the chemistry and physical makeup (e.g., grain sizes, surface roughness, and rock
Albedo One writing of genre author Gene Wolfe. These columns are often noted for their "opinionated" or controversial stance on genre matters, with that in issue 31 of "Albedo One" being described as "a deliberately provocative rant" by one reviewer. In 1996 the editors offered an open invitation, stating that "If you feel strongly about anything and want to let us and the readers know, you too can don the mightly mantle of Severian." Between 1997 and 1999 "Albedo One" was honored three times by the European Science Fiction Society, winning Awards for "Best Magazine" and "Best Publisher". Stories from the magazine