Estimated grain saltation in a Martian atmosphere

Details Estimated grain saltation in a Martian atmosphere Estimated grain saltation in a Martian atmosphere

Nov 1976

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1976jgr....81.5643w&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 81, Nov. 10, 1976, p. 5643-5650. NASA-supported research.

Physics

12

Dust Storms, Grains, Mars Atmosphere, Mars Surface, Particle Trajectories, Spaceborne Photography, Equations Of Motion, Erosion, Mariner 9 Space Probe, Particle Collisions, Terrain Analysis, Wind Effects

Scientific paper

Mariner 9 spacecraft images showing evidence of variable surface features and surface erosion resulting from atmospheric wind on Mars have caused a renewed interest in the eolian mechanics of saltating grains. To study this phenomenon, both experimental investigation in an atmospheric wind tunnel and numerical solutions of the equations of motion of a single grain under Martian surface conditions were conducted. The numerical solutions for earth were used and empirically adjusted to correlate with existing experimental data for Mars. These modified equations were then solved to estimate grain motion for Mars. These calculations show the importance of a lifting force on the grain to initiate motion in both earth and Mars calculations. Major findings include a comparison of earth and Mars grain trajectories that show Mars length scales to be longer and to fall with a higher terminal grain velocity. The grains in the Mars calculation also made a smaller collision angle with the surface on rebound.

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