Other
Scientific paper
Dec 1992
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1992msat.work...70h&link_type=abstract
In Lunar and Planetary Inst., Workshop on the Martian Surface and Atmosphere Through Time p 70-71 (SEE N92-28988 19-91)
Other
Carbon Dioxide, Mars Atmosphere, Mars Surface, Obliqueness, Polar Caps, Stability, Sublimation, Water Resources, Albedo, Mars (Planet), Mars Environment, Mathematical Models, Regolith, Water Vapor
Scientific paper
The seasonal cycle of water on Mars is regulated by the two polar caps. In the winter hemisphere, the seasonal CO2 deposits at a temperature near 150 K acts as a cold trap to remove water vapor from the atmosphere. When summer returns, water is pumped back into the atmosphere by a number of mechanisms, including release from the receding CO2 frost, diffusion from the polar regolith, and sublimation from a water-ice residual cap. These processes drive an exchange of water vapor between the polar caps that helps shape the Martian climate. Thus, understanding the behavior of the polar caps is important for interpreting the Martian climate both now and at other epochs. Mars' obliquity undergoes large variations over large time scales. As the obliquity decreases, the poles receive less solar energy so that more CO2 condenses from the atmosphere onto the poles. It has been suggested that permanent CO2 condenses from the atmosphere onto the poles. It has been suggested that permanent CO2 caps might form at the poles in response to a feedback mechanism existing between the polar cap albedo, the CO2 pressure, and the dust storm frequency. The year-round presence of the CO2 deposits would effectively dry out the atmosphere, while diffusion of water from the regolith would be the only source of water vapor to the atmosphere. We have reviewed the CO2 balance at low obliquity taking into account the asymmetries which make the north and south hemispheres different. Our analysis linked with a numerical model of the polar caps leads us to believe that one summertime cap will always lose its CO2 cover during a Martian year, although we cannot predict which cap this will be. We conclude that significant amounts of water vapor will sublime from the exposed cap during summer, and the Martian atmosphere will support an active water cycle even at low obliquity.
Henderson Bradley G.
Jakosky Bruce M.
No associations
LandOfFree
The Martian polar caps: Stability and water transport at low obliquities does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The Martian polar caps: Stability and water transport at low obliquities, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Martian polar caps: Stability and water transport at low obliquities will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1139302