Thermospheric Expansion During Multiple Dust Storms on Mars Observed by MAVEN/NGIMS
Abstract
A sequence of regional-scale dust storms occurred on Mars during January-April of 2017. In situ measurements of atmospheric composition and density by MAVEN/NGIMS reveal dramatic variations in Mars' neutral thermosphere in response to each of these dust storms. The measurements show that both CO2 and Ar densities increase sharply at the peaks of the storms by up to 200% compared to pre-storm times. The density increases are seen at all altitudes from 170-200 km, and are seen to be stronger at higher altitudes. These agree with the theory that during dust storms, the whole atmosphere expands and rises, increasing the atmospheric densities at a given altitude. They are also consistent with the simulation results by a general circulation model, providing observational evidence for how dust storms affect different atmospheric species in the thermosphere region.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017AGUFM.P23D2764L
- Keywords:
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- 3346 Planetary meteorology;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES;
- 6225 Mars;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS;
- 5405 Atmospheres;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS;
- 5445 Meteorology;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS