Atmospheric Origin of Flow Lobes Around Craters on Mars and Venus

Computer Science – Sound

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Ames Vertical Gun Range, Ejecta Flow Lobes, Impacts, Mars: Atmosphere, Rings: Vortex

Scientific paper

Distal flow lobes around craters on planets with atmospheres may result from the formation of waves in a ring vortex created by flow separation at the top edge of an advancing impact ejecta curtain. The number of waves in a smoke ring is controlled by two factors: 1.) the ratio of the radius of the ring vortex (Rv) to its core radius (a); and, 2.) the intensity of the flow in the ring vortex core. At laboratory scales, the number of ejecta flows from ejecta-driven ring vortices varies with these factors in the same fashion as waves of a smoke ring. Theoretical and laboratory studies indicate that the number of flow lobes created during an impact varies with the crater radius (R) to the three-fourths power (i.e. R3/4). Lobe counts on Mars and Venus confirm this correlation for those craters whose radii do not exceed the scale height of the atmosphere and where the flow in the ring vortex does not exceed the ambient speed of sound. The formation of flow lobes by ring vortices created by the motion of the ejecta curtain, are consistent, therefore, with observation at planetary scales. Variations in the number of lobes on Mars could indicate variations in target lithologies, presence of volatiles or changes in atmospheric conditions. Further work will establish which of these contributing factors most affects the number of distal lobes created during an impact.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Atmospheric Origin of Flow Lobes Around Craters on Mars and Venus 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 Atmospheric Origin of Flow Lobes Around Craters on Mars and Venus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Atmospheric Origin of Flow Lobes Around Craters on Mars and Venus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1611170

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.