The Impact of a Realistic Vertical Dust Distribution on the General Circulation of the Martian Atmosphere

Computer Science – Sound

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

[0343] Atmospheric Composition And Structure / Planetary Atmospheres, [3311] Atmospheric Processes / Clouds And Aerosols, [3319] Atmospheric Processes / General Circulation, [5739] Planetary Sciences: Fluid Planets / Meteorology

Scientific paper

Atmospheric dust is a major driver of the atmospheric dynamics and has first order impacts on the climate, because it is highly radiatively active. Variations in the amount and distribution of dust significantly influences the general circulation of the atmosphere, including both the mean and eddy components. The Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has provided information about the vertical structure of dust in greater detail than ever before. One of the most intriguing features revealed by the MCS dust data set is a persistent, local maximum of dust mixing ratio at altitudes of 15-20 km above ground level, particularly at low latitudes. This profile is in contrast to the typically assumed and widely used Conrath-ν dust profile that has a nearly constant mixing ratio in the boundary layer and then decreases with height at a user-specified rate. With the exception of recent general circulation models (GCMs), however, that employ a fully interactive dust cycle and make few assumptions about the dust distribution, most of the knowledge about the climate and dynamics of Mars' atmosphere has been obtained or supported solely by GCMs that have used a Conrath-ν --like dust profile. In our paper, we present results from the NASA Ames Mars GCM forced by a dust distribution data set derived from the MCS vertical dust profiles. We identify and discuss the impact on the general circulation of using a realistic dust distribution when compared to the more typical Conrath-ν prescription.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

The Impact of a Realistic Vertical Dust Distribution on the General Circulation of the Martian Atmosphere 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 The Impact of a Realistic Vertical Dust Distribution on the General Circulation of the Martian Atmosphere, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Impact of a Realistic Vertical Dust Distribution on the General Circulation of the Martian Atmosphere will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-870112

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.