Exploring Frontal Events on Mars Using MRO MARCI Images

Details Exploring Frontal Events on Mars Using MRO MARCI Images Exploring Frontal Events on Mars Using MRO MARCI Images

Jan 2012

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2012aas...21933415w&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #219, #334.15

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

We have processed global map swaths taken by MRO MARCI, and made Mars Daily Global Maps (MDGMs) for the second MRO mapping year (MY 29 Ls =121 to MY 30 Ls =112). We have used our MDGMs to make a catalog of all curvilinear clouds and dust storms called "frontal events", which are analogous to the cloud pattern of a terrestrial baroclinic storm. The spatial and temporal distribution of the frontal activity is presented. They are found to be largely consistent with previous observations conducted with the Mars Global Surveyor. There are more frontal events in the northern hemisphere than in the southern hemisphere. For the northern hemisphere, there are more frontal events in spring and summer than in the fall and winter. There are seperate seasonal periods when cloud frontal events or dust frontal events dominate. There is a period around the winter solstice when frontal events are suppressed. Before and after this period there are large flushing events transporting dust to low latitudes. Spatial distribution of frontal events in the north are most prevalent in the low topographical regions, especially in Acidalia. Frontal events in the south were found to be more frequent in the anti-cryptic zone. The temporal distribution follows a latitudinal trend in relation with the changing size of the polar caps. We have examined the fine structure of frontal events, and found blotchy textures in many cases, indicating that frontal circulation can trigger active dust lifting.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Exploring Frontal Events on Mars Using MRO MARCI Images 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 Exploring Frontal Events on Mars Using MRO MARCI Images, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Exploring Frontal Events on Mars Using MRO MARCI Images will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1580433