Statistics – Applications
Scientific paper
Oct 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007dps....39.2422w&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #39, #24.22; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 39, p.458
Statistics
Applications
Scientific paper
We recently found a new mechanism to lift dust particles from a dust bed in laboratory experiments applicable to Martian conditions. Under reduced gas pressure, illumination with visible light leads to eruptions of a dusty surface. This dust ejection is based on a solid state greenhouse effect and thermophoresis. The latter is depending on the static gas pressure and is at maximum for dust at pressures of a few mbar as incidentally given on the Martian surface. Thermophoresis is 2 orders of magnitudes smaller on Earth's surface. Therefore, this lift mechanism is important for Mars but could not be recognized on Earth before. The effect has two immediate applications. (1) It might play a significant role for the natural dust cycle on Mars. Current measurements and estimates suggest that solar light flux is just at the threshold to lift particles from the Martian surface. Below the threshold the effect might still facilitate the lift-off of particles by wind stress. (2) A slight focussing of sunlight will result in strong dust eruptions under Martian conditions. Used technically, this might provide a simple means of cleaning sensitive (instrument) surfaces on Mars exploration missions.
Based on similar physics, part of all dust particles entrained in the Martian atmosphere, one way or the other, will stay aloft and be transported by photophoresis. Photophoresis has e.g. been discussed in the context of stable particle layers in the Earth stratosphere and mesosphere, where the gas pressure is in the mbar range. Again, on Mars favourable conditions for photophoresis, i.e. maximum forces, are given right at the surface. Photophoretic and thermophoretic effects are very likely to occur on Mars.
This work is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.
Teiser Jens
Wurm Gerhard
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