Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2010-03-23
Planetary and Space Science, Volume 58, Issue 10, August 2010, Pages 1129-1138
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
11 pages, 8 figures
Scientific paper
10.1016/j.pss.2010.03.018
The polar condensation/sublimation of CO2, that involve about one fourth of the atmosphere mass, is the major Martian climatic cycle. Early observations in visible and thermal infrared have shown that the sublimation of the Seasonal South Polar Cap (SSPC) is not symmetric around the geographic South Pole. Here we use observations by OMEGA/Mars Express in the near-infrared to detect unambiguously the presence of CO2 at the surface, and to estimate albedo. Second, we estimate the sublimation of CO2 released in the atmosphere and show that there is a two-step process. From Ls=180{\deg} to 220{\deg}, the sublimation is nearly symmetric with a slight advantage for the cryptic region. After Ls=220{\deg} the anti-cryptic region sublimation is stronger. Those two phases are not balanced such that there is 22% +/- 9 more mass the anti-cryptic region, arguing for more snow precipitation. We compare those results with the MOLA height measurements. Finally we discuss implications for the Martian atmosphere about general circulation and gas tracers, e.g. Ar.
Bibring Jean-Pierre
Doute Sylvain
Forget Francois
Jian Jeng-Jong
Langevin Yves
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