A5038647031- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Aeolian processes and effects
- Atmospheric aerosols and clouds
- Space exploration and regulation
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
- Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics
- Particle Dynamics in Fluid Flows
- Scientific Research and Discoveries
- Spacecraft Design and Technology
- Air Quality Monitoring and Forecasting
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Impact of Light on Environment and Health
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Spectroscopy and Chemometric Analyses
- Aerospace Engineering and Energy Systems
- Gas Dynamics and Kinetic Theory
- Environmental and Ecological Studies
- Tropical and Extratropical Cyclones Research
Centro de Astrobiología
2020-2025
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
2015-2023
University College London
2023
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
2022
University of the Basque Country
2022
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
2015-2017
Variable levels of methane in the martian atmosphere have eluded explanation partly because measurements are not repeatable time or location. We report situ at Gale crater made over a 5-year period by Tunable Laser Spectrometer on Curiosity rover. The background mean value 0.41 ± 0.16 parts per billion volume (ppbv) (95% confidence interval) and exhibit strong, seasonal variation (0.24 to 0.65 ppbv). This is greater than that predicted from either ultraviolet degradation impact-delivered...
Abstract Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover observations of the 2018/Mars year 34 global/planet‐encircling dust storm represent first in situ measurements a global with dedicated meteorological sensors since Viking Landers. The team planned and executed science campaign lasting approximately 100 Martian sols to study involving an enhanced cadence environmental monitoring using rover's sensors, cameras, spectrometers. Mast Camera 880‐nm optical depth reached 8.5, Rover Environmental...
Abstract The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument onboard the Science Laboratory Curiosity rover measures chemical composition of major atmospheric species (CO 2 , N 40 Ar, O and CO) through a dedicated inlet. We report here measurements volume mixing ratios in Gale Crater using SAM quadrupole mass spectrometer, obtained over period nearly 5 years (3 years) from landing. observation spans northern summer MY 31 solar longitude (L S ) 175° spring 34, L = 12°. This work expands upon prior...
Despite the importance of sand and dust to Mars geomorphology, weather, exploration, processes that move raise maintain Mars' ubiquitous haze produce storms have not been well quantified in situ, with missions lacking either necessary sensors or a sufficiently active aeolian environment. Perseverance rover's novel environmental Jezero crater's dusty environment remedy this. In Perseverance's first 216 sols, four convective vortices raised locally, while, on average, passed rover daily, over...
Abstract Rovers and landers on Mars have experienced local, regional, planetary‐scale dust storms. However, in situ documentation of active lifting within storms has remained elusive. Over 5–11 January 2022 (L S 153°–156°), a storm passed over the Perseverance rover site. Peak visible optical depth was ∼2, visibility across crater briefly reduced. Pressure amplitudes temperatures responded to storm. Winds up 20 m s −1 rotated around site before wind sensor damaged. The imaged 21 dust‐lifting...
Abstract NASA’s Perseverance rover’s Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer is collecting data at Jezero crater, characterizing the physical processes in lowest layer of Martian atmosphere. Here we present measurements from instrument’s first 250 sols operation, revealing a spatially and temporally variable meteorology Jezero. We find that temperature four heights capture response atmospheric surface to multiple phenomena. observe transition stable night-time thermal inversion daytime, highly...
Abstract The Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) on board Perseverance includes first‐of‐its‐kind sensors measuring the incident and reflected solar flux, downwelling atmospheric IR upwelling flux emitted by surface. We use these measurements for first 350 sols of 2020 mission (L s ∼ 6°–174° in Martian Year 36) to determine surface radiative budget calculate broadband albedo (0.3–3 μm) as a function illumination viewing geometry. Together with MEDA ground temperature, we thermal...
Abstract The Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer instrument on 2020 has five Atmospheric Temperature Sensors at two altitudes (0.84 and 1.45 m) plus a Thermal InfraRed Sensor that measures temperatures the surface ∼40 m. We analyze measurements from these sensors to describe evolution of in Jezero up mission sol 400 (solar longitude L S = 13°–203°). diurnal thermal cycle is characterized by daytime convective period nocturnal stable atmosphere with variable inversion. find linear...
Abstract Mars' atmosphere typically supports dust aerosol with an effective radius near 1.5 μm, varying from ~1 μm during low times northern summer solstice to ~2 higher in southern spring and summer. After global events, size variations outside this range have not previously been observed. We report on imaging spectral observations by the Curiosity rover through 2018 event. These show that was seasonally normal prior local onset of increased opacity, rapidly above 4 increasing remained 3...
The degradation in electrical output of solar arrays on Mars landers and rovers is reviewed. A loss 0.2% per Sol typical, although observed rates decrease 'dust factor' vary between 0.05% 2% Sol. 0.2%/Sol has been throughout the first 800 Sols ongoing InSight mission, as well shorter Pathfinder Phoenix missions. This rate was also evident for much Spirit Opportunity missions, but there episodically reversed by cleaning events due to dust devils gusts. enduring success those rover missions...
Abstract The pressure sensors on Mars rover Perseverance measure the field in Jezero crater regular hourly basis starting sol 15 after landing. present study extends up to 460 encompassing range of solar longitudes from L s ∼ 13°–241° (Martian Year (MY) 36). data show changing daily cycle, sol‐to‐sol seasonal evolution mean driven by CO 2 sublimation and deposition cycle at poles, characterization six components atmospheric tides their relationship dust content atmosphere. They also presence...
Abstract We characterize vortex and dust devils (DDs) at Jezero from pressure winds obtained with the Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) instrument on 2020 over 415 Martian days (sols) ( Ls = 6°–213°). Vortices are abundant (4.9 per sol drops >0.5 Pa correcting gaps in coverage) they peak noon. At least one every five vortices carries dust, 75% of all Δ p > 2.0 dusty. Seasonal variability was small but DDs were during a storm 152°–156°). more frequent intense terrains lower...
Abstract The Mars 2020 mission rover “Perseverance”, launched on 30 July by NASA, landed successfully 18 February 2021 at Jezero Crater, (Lon. E 77.4509° Lat. N 18.4446°). landing took place solar longitude Ls = 5.2°, close to start of the northern spring. Perseverance's payload includes relative humidity sensor MEDA HS (Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer Humidity Sensor), which operations, performance, and first observations from sol 80 410 (Ls 44°–210°) operations we describe. measured...
Dust aerosols in the Martian atmosphere have important impacts on temperatures and atmospheric dynamics, with most intense effects occurring during global regional dust storms. Measurements by Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) board Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Climate Sounder (MCS) Recoinnasance Orbiter (MRO) provide an opportunity to study interannual variability of these storms 12 years. Late northern winter large (type C storms) show highest variability, which does not appear be driven...
Abstract The Mars2020 Perseverance Rover landed successfully on the Martian surface Jezero Crater floor (18.44°N, 77.45°E) at solar longitude, L s , ∼5° in February 2021. Since then, it has produced highly valuable environmental measurements with a versatile scientific payload including MEDA (Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer) suite of sensors. One systems is PS pressure sensor system, which weighs 40 g and an estimated absolute accuracy better than 3.5 Pa resolution 0.13 Pa. We present...
Electrical discharges such as lightning are among the most energetic and remarkable phenomena in planetary atmospheres. Both laboratory experiments modeling studies have predicted that triboelectric charging of wind-blown particles dust events on Mars should lead to significant electrification. However, there been no direct measurements a Martian electric field or observations discharges. Here, using acoustic recordings from SuperCam microphone onboard Perseverance rover, we report evidence...
We provide indirect evidence for the formation of frost at surface Gale crater by analyzing highest confidence data from simultaneous measurements relative humidity and ground temperature during first 1000 sols Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission. find that except sol 44, events could have occurred only between 400 710, corresponding to most humid coldest time year (from early fall late winter). In particular, Dingo Gap 529–535, an unnamed place 554–560, Kimberley 609–617 673–676 showed...
We present a new comprehensive radiative transfer model to study the solar irradiance that reaches surface of Mars in spectral range covered by MetSIS, sensor aboard MetNet mission will measure several bands from ultraviolet (UV) near infrared (NIR). The includes up-to-date wavelength-dependent properties dust, water ice clouds, and gas molecules. It enables characterization environment different regions under scenarios. Comparisons between results MetSIS observations allow for temporal...
Abstract The Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) instrument is on board NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover. REMS has been measuring surface pressure, air, and ground brightness temperature, relative humidity, ultraviolet (UV) irradiance since MSL's landing in 2012. In Year (MY) 34 (2018) a global dust storm reached Gale Crater at L s ~ 190°. offers unique opportunity to better understand the impact of local environmental conditions, which complements previous...
Abstract In situ measurements by the Curiosity rover provide a unique opportunity for studying effects of dust on assets placed at surface Mars. Here we use in solar UV radiation to quantify seasonal and interannual variability accumulation sensor deck. We show that amount accumulated follows cycle, with net removal during perihelion season until L s ~ 300°, deposition end aphelion (L 300°–180°). independent atmospheric opacity pressure perturbations combination numerical modeling, showing...
Key Points MarsWRF output combined with thermodynamic theory is used to predict spatiotemporal trends of dust devil activity (DDA) in Gale Crater Both modeled DDA and number observed vortex pressure drops are greatest local summer, peaking ~13:00–14:00, smallest winter Stronger sensible heat fluxes winds drive a rise as MSL climbs, but numbers faster, unless threshold
Abstract The Mars Regional Atmospheric Modeling System ( MRAMS ) and a nested simulation of the Weather Research Forecasting model MarsWRF are used to predict local meteorological conditions at 2020 Perseverance rover landing site inside Jezero crater (Mars). These predictions complemented with COmplutense MIchigan MArs Radiative Transfer COMIMART Single Column Model SCM further refine radiative forcing water cycle respectively. primary objective is facilitate interpretation measurements be...