Convective instabilities during Mars Climate Sounder’s limb staring mode were overestimated

We report that the onset, and temporary cessation, of instabilities in MCS temperature profiles during MY 28 coincided with the initiation and cessation of limb staring operation, suggesting instrument operation was a factor in the identification of instabilities by Heavens et al. (Heavens et al. [2010]. Icarus, 208, 574-589). We demonstrate that the limb staring instrument operation during northern autumn of MY 28 can produce erroneous unstable lapse rates.