Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006agufm.p44a..02f&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2006, abstract #P44A-02
Physics
5134 Thermal Properties, 5460 Physical Properties Of Materials, 5464 Remote Sensing, 6222 Ganymede
Scientific paper
In this work, we quantify the response of surface temperature to subsurface layers, local weather variations, and seasonal processes at the MER Spirit landing site region. Previous thermophysical work at the MER landing sites include deriving thermal inertia values of dusty, sandy, and rocky surfaces, and comparing the thermally derived particle size with those measured directly using Pancam and MI images (1). We have designed observations that build on these previous results and take advantage of the unique opportunity to measure surface phenomena that require longer experiment durations as the winter power constraints reduce the mobility of the MER Spirit. Three thermophysical experiments using Mini-TES have been performed: 1) deriving the thermal inertia above and below a layered outcrop; 2) measuring the day-to-day variability in surface temperature; and 3) observing the seasonal temperature profile. First, we measured the diurnal temperature curve above and below an exposed layered outcrop to derive thermal inertia values. These results allow a more complete understanding of the effect of layers on surface temperature and thermal inertia, which can then be applied to the interpretation of orbital data (2). Preliminary results suggest that the thermal inertia of the surface below the outcrop is best defined by a mixture of rock (35%) and sand (65%), and corresponds to the heterogeneous surface observed in Pancam images. The surface above the outcrop is best fit by a thermal inertia of 600, and is dominated by the subsurface layered material. In addition, the temperature of the surface was measured at the same time each day for 15 sols to quantify typical surface temperature variations due to local weather on Mars. Preliminarily, surface temperatures at the Spirit site vary by an average of 3 K, and this knowledge is important for identifying thermal anomalies in THEMIS infrared images. Finally, measuring the surface temperature for many months allows us to measure the effects of material deeper in the subsurface on surface temperature. Preliminary results suggest that the thermal model adequately accounts for seasonal variations and also implies that there is no subsurface structure tens of centimeters from the surface complicating these measurements. References. (1) R. L. Fergason et al., J. Geophys. Res., 111, 10.1029/2005JE002583(2006); (2) N. E. Putzig, M. T.Mellon, LPSC XXXVII, Abs. 2316 (2006).
Arvidson Ray E.
Christensen Per Rex
Fergason Robin L.
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