Computer Science
Scientific paper
Jan 1987
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1987svmg.rept.....c&link_type=abstract
Unknown
Computer Science
Annual Variations, Geoids, Gravitational Fields, Mars (Planet), Atmospheric Composition, Carbon Dioxide, Mars Atmosphere, Mars Observer, Polar Caps
Scientific paper
A great quantity of CO2 is exchanged between the Martian atmosphere and polar caps in the course of a Martian year. This exchange occurs in seasonal cycles: CO2 condenses to form the polar caps in winter and sublimes into the atmosphere in summer. The mass involved is about 25% of the total mass of the Martian atmosphere. This paper studies the effects of the CO2 mass redistribution on the Mars' gravitational field. Two mechanisms are examined: (1) the waxing and waning of solid CO2 in the polar caps, and (2) the geographical distribution of gaseous CO2 in the atmosphere. The maximum changes produced by (1) in the low-degree zonal Jl harmonics in the Mars gravitational field are found to be as much as 7.5 x 10 to the-9 power for J2 (corresponding to 1.1 cm change in the geoid), and about half as much for J3. The effect of (2) on some most prominent low-degree harmonics (for l =1-3) in the effective topography (defined as the departure of the true topography from the geoid) is also evaluated. Their magnitudes are large by Earth standards. Whether they can be observed by the upcoming Mars Observer is still uncertain.
Fong Chao Benjamin
Parry Rubincam David
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