Statistics – Computation
Scientific paper
Oct 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010dps....42.3016m&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #42, #30.16; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 42, p.1030
Statistics
Computation
Scientific paper
We present two complementary methods for isolating and modeling surface source releases of methane in the martian atmosphere. From recent observations, there is strong evidence that periodic releases of methane occur from discrete surface locations, although the exact location and mechanism of release is still unknown. Numerical model simulations with the Mars Weather Research and Forecasting (MarsWRF) general circulation model (GCM) have been applied to the ground-based observations of atmospheric methane by Mumma et al., (2009). MarsWRF simulations reproduce the natural behavior of trace gas plumes in the martian atmosphere, and reveal the development of the plume over time. These results provide constraints on the timing and location of release of the methane plume.
Additional detections of methane have been accumulated by the Planetary Fourier Spectrometer (PFS) on board Mars Express. For orbital observations, which generally have higher frequency and resolution, an alternate approach to source isolation has been developed. Drawing from the concept of natural selection within biology, we apply an evolutionary computational model to this problem of isolating source locations. Using genetic algorithms that `reward’ best-fit matches between observations and GCM plume simulations (also from MarsWRF) over many generations, we find that we can potentially isolate source locations to within tens of km, which is within the roving capabilities of future Mars rovers. Together, these methods present viable numerical approaches to restricting the timing, duration and size of methane release events, and can be used for other trace gas plumes on Mars as well as elsewhere in the solar system.
Allen Marsha M.
Lee Seongsu
Mischna Michael A.
No associations
LandOfFree
Atmospheric Modeling of Mars Methane Plumes 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 Modeling of Mars Methane Plumes, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Atmospheric Modeling of Mars Methane Plumes will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1122855