Biology
Scientific paper
Dec 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufm.p24a..11h&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #P24A-11
Biology
[0350] Atmospheric Composition And Structure / Pressure, Density, And Temperature, [0762] Cryosphere / Mass Balance, [5210] Planetary Sciences: Astrobiology / Planetary Atmospheres, Clouds, And Hazes, [6225] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Mars
Scientific paper
We study the condensation of CO2 in Mars' atmosphere using temperature profiles retrieved from radio occultation measurements of the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) as well as the climate sounding instrument onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), and detections of reflective clouds by the MGS Mars Orbiter Laser Altimetry (MOLA). We estimate cumulative masses of CO2 condensates deposited onto the northern and southern hemisphere seasonal polar caps, based on masses of CO2 condensate particles inferred from the impulse responses of MOLA filter channels, and the spatial and seasonal distribution of CO2 condensation determined from the MGS and MRO temperature profiles. The atmospheric temperature profiles for 5 Mars years indicate that condensation of CO2 above the polar caps during winter is a repetitive process. We find that the thickness of CO2 condensation layer reaches a maximum of 10-15 km (north) or ˜20 km (south) during the middle of winter. There is a shrinking of the CO2 condensation layer from L S ˜270o to ˜300o in 2007, probably related to a planet-encircling dust storm. Based on the multi-instrument data analysis, we find that condensation of atmospheric CO2 accounts for the seasonal change in mass of Mars' polar caps. In comparison with the time-varying gravity of Mars, our estimates indicate that the average condensate particle radius is 10 - 50 μ m in the northern hemisphere and 4 - 20 μ m in the southern hemisphere. This work places new constraints on the Martian atmosphere that enables improved modeling and understanding of the annual cycle of CO2 exchange.
Cahoy Kerri
Hu Rongwei
Zuber Maria T.
No associations
LandOfFree
Particle Size of CO2 Condensates in Mars' Atmosphere: a Joint Analysis of Radio Occultation, Climate Sounder and Laser Ranging Experiments 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 Particle Size of CO2 Condensates in Mars' Atmosphere: a Joint Analysis of Radio Occultation, Climate Sounder and Laser Ranging Experiments, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Particle Size of CO2 Condensates in Mars' Atmosphere: a Joint Analysis of Radio Occultation, Climate Sounder and Laser Ranging Experiments will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-870139