Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufm.p21a1650m&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #P21A-1650
Physics
[5405] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Atmospheres, [6225] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Mars
Scientific paper
The SPICAM instrument onboard Mars Express observes routinely the vertical distribution of water vapor in the atmosphere of Mars. This dataset fills an important void in the observation of the Martian water cycle. The H2O vertical profile is one of the most important diagnostics to determine the active mechanisms that shape the Martian water cycle, but is also one of the least known. Before SPICAM, only the Auguste spectrometer on Phobos-2 allowed for the direct retrieval of the water vapor vertical distribution, but with limited spatial and temporal coverage due to the short life of the spacecraft (Rodin et al. 1997). Knowledge of the water profile on Mars relied mostly on indirect observations (e.g. Tschimmel et al. 2008) or GCM predictions. The SPICAM infrared channel retrieves simultaneously the vertical profiles of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and aerosol optical depth by means of the solar occultation technique. The first results have been presented in Fedorova et al. (2009). Here the results for the vertical distribution of water vapor obtained during a complete Martian year, MY 29, will be shown and analyzed. This dataset includes ~ 150 orbits, by far the most extensive dataset on water vapor profiling in the Martian atmosphere ever presented. The two campaigns cover two crucial periods for the Martian seasonal water cycle: the aphelion season, when the maximum of the annual water vapor activity develops, and northern autumn, that coincides with the peak of the Martian dust cycle (Fig. 1). SPICAM results cast new light on the behavior of water vapor along the atmosphere. The comparison between the SPICAM profiles and GCM predictions indicates that models currently do not take into account phenomena that are relevant in driving the vertical distribution of water vapor. The discovery of water supersaturation in the middle atmosphere points out at a bigger role of aerosol microphysics on the water cycle than previously thought. A stricter relationship between the water and dust climatic cycles is also indicated by the comparison between the water vapor and the aerosol profiles. Bibliography Fedorova A.A. et al., Icarus 200, 96-117 (2009) Rodin A.V., Korablev O.I., Moroz V.I., Icarus 125, 212-229 (1997) Tschimmel M. et al., Icarus 195, 557-575 (2008)
Bertaux J. J.
Fedorova Alexandra
Forget Francois
Korablev Oleg
Lefèvre Fabien
No associations
LandOfFree
Water supersaturation and water-dust cycle interaction in the atmosphere of Mars. One year of observations of vertical distribution of water vapor by the SPICAM spectrometer onboard Mars Express 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 Water supersaturation and water-dust cycle interaction in the atmosphere of Mars. One year of observations of vertical distribution of water vapor by the SPICAM spectrometer onboard Mars Express, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Water supersaturation and water-dust cycle interaction in the atmosphere of Mars. One year of observations of vertical distribution of water vapor by the SPICAM spectrometer onboard Mars Express will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-869032