Other
Scientific paper
Sep 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008dps....40.0604p&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #40, #6.04; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 40, p.396
Other
Scientific paper
We present analysis of spatial and temporal variability of water vapor in the Mars Northern Polar Region (NPR) during spring and summer seasons using data from Vikings and MGS missions. This study provides a new level of detail on the Martian water vapor cycle relative to the previous longitudinally averaged studies. We also present new water vapor retrievals extending MGS dataset over the North polar cap. Water vapor spatial distribution in the NPR evolves on short temporal (several sols) and small spatial (100 km) scales indicating complex interactions between surface/subsurface water ice and atmosphere. Similar average NPR abundances correspond to very different spatial patterns. Water vapor abundances observed by Vikings exceed MGS abundances by a factor of 2 during early summer, suggesting long term interannual variability of Martian polar water cycle. On the other hand, the difference between Viking and MGS observations may potentially be reconciled if water vapor is distributed non-uniformly with height, concentrating near surface. A reanalysis of Viking water vapor retrievals may be warranted. Much of the water vapor observed by Vikings during summer comes from the permanent polar cap, contrary to the earliest conclusion of the regolith being the main source. High degree of correlation between water vapor distribution and surface topography is probably due to interaction between mesoscale circulation and surface topography. Outbursts of water vapor are observed in late spring and summer, suggesting that water ice sublimation rates could be highly variable across the water ice cap, and strongly influenced by atmospheric circulation. Correlation between MGS water vapor and dust spatial distributions in NPR suggests sublimation winds as the source of both water vapor and dust in the atmosphere in late spring and summer. A historic record of the atmospheric water vapor at the Phoenix landing site is provided for comparison with ongoing observations.
Pankine Alexey A.
Tamppari Leslie K.
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