Electric Field Measurements in Terrestrial Dust Devils and Dust Storms, as an Analog to Mars
Abstract
Dust devils and dust storms are important contributors to the atmospheric dust content on Earth and Mars. The electric fields resulting from a dust charging mechanism [Renno and Kok, 2008] are thought to play an important role in the lofting and suspension of these dust particles. To understand this mechanism, a new type of isolated electric field sensor has been designed and fabricated to make accurate measurements of the electric field when subjected to the impact of charged dust particles. Here we present the results of these measurements and discuss their implications for atmospheric chemistry, in particular their significance to Mars, where dust plays a key role.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011AGUFM.P43C1700E
- Keywords:
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- 5421 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS / Interactions with particles and fields;
- 5494 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS / Instruments and techniques