Martian surface Mensae contain thick glaciers covered by a mantle of rocky debris. 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
Albedo (alchemy) Albedo (alchemy) In alchemy, albedo is one of the four major stages of the magnum opus; along with nigredo, citrinitas and rubedo. It is a Latinicized term meaning "whiteness". Following the chaos or "massa confusa" of the nigredo stage, the alchemist undertakes a purification in albedo, which is literally referred to as "ablutio" – the washing away of impurities. In this process, the subject is divided into two opposing principles to be later coagulated to form a unity of opposites or "coincidentia oppositorum" during rubedo. Titus Burckhardt interprets the albedo as the end of the lesser work, corresponding to a