Modeling diffusion advection in the mass transfer of water vapor through martian regolith     

Richard Ulrich 《Icarus》2009,201(1):127-134

Diffusion advection is an effect in diffusive multicomponent mass transfer that occurs when the flux vectors of the individual components do not add up to zero. This can be a significant effect for the mass transfer of water vapor from subsurface ice or liquid reservoirs through porous regolith at martian temperatures and pressures. Ignoring diffusion advection and using Fick's law alone to calculate the flux under these conditions will result in an erroneously small value while using a measured flux to calculate a diffusivity will result in an erroneously high value. The inaccuracy in both cases increases with temperature. The literature contains several examples of erroneous treatment of this effect. The correct approach is well-known from other applications of mass transfer and takes diffusion advection into account in the appropriate amount regardless of the temperature and pressure and reduces to the simple Fick's law when conditions warrant. In this way, there is no need to decide under what conditions diffusion advection is or is not important. It can be used in the transition region to pure Knudsen diffusion in a fashion similar to that used with the more limited Fickian approach.  相似文献   

Martian gravity field model and its time variations from MGS and Odyssey data     

J.C. Marty  G. Balmino  P. Rosenblatt  S. Le Maistre  A. Rivoldini  V. Dehant  T. Van Hoolst 《Planetary and Space Science》2009,57(3):350-1027

We present results of several years of research and data processing aimed at modelling the Mars gravity field and its longest wavelength time variations. The new solution includes tracking data from Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) from 1998 to 2006 (end of mission) and from Mars Odyssey from 2002 to the spring of 2008; this is the longest analyzed data set from these two orbiter missions as compared to previous works. The new model has been obtained by a team working in Europe, independently from the works of groups at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), also with totally independent software. Observations consist in two and three-way Doppler measurements (also one way for MGS), and range tracking data collected by the Deep Space Network and have been processed in 4 day arcs, taking into account all disturbing forces of gravitational and non-gravitational origins; for each arc the state vector, drag and solar pressure model multiplying factors, and angular momentum dump parameters are adjusted. The static field (MGGM08A) is represented in spherical harmonics up to degree and order 95 and is very close to previously published models (in terms of spectral components and also over specific features); correlations with the global Mars topography are established and apparent depths of compensation by degree are derived. Lumped zonal harmonics of degree two and three are solved for every 10 days, exhibiting variations in line with previous results (including authors’ ones); the work also shows the difficulty of finding clean signatures (annual and semi-annual) for the zonal coefficient of second degree. The k₂ Love number is also derived from the ensemble of data, as well as from subsets of them; values between 0.110 and 0.130 are found, which are consistent with the existence of a Martian fluid core of significant radius.  相似文献   

Yearly and seasonal variations of low albedo surfaces on Mars in the OMEGA/MEx dataset: Constraints on aerosols properties and dust deposits     

Mathieu Vincendon  Y. Langevin  F. Poulet  A. Pommerol  M. Wolff  J.-P. Bibring  B. Gondet  D. Jouglet 《Icarus》2009,(2):395-405

The time variations of spectral properties of dark martian surface features are investigated using the OMEGA near-IR dataset. The analyzed period covers two Mars years, spanning from early 2004 to early 2008 (includes the 2007 global dust event). Radiative transfer modeling indicates that the apparent albedo variations of low to mid-latitude dark regions are consistent with those produced by the varying optical depth of atmospheric dust as measured simultaneously from the ground by the Mars Exploration Rovers. We observe only a few significant albedo changes that can be attributed to surface phenomena. They are small-scaled and located at the boundaries between bright and dark regions. We then investigate the variations of the mean particle size of aerosols using the evolution of the observed dark region spectra between 1 and 2.5 μm. Overall, we find that the observed changes in the spectral slope are consistent with a mean particle size of aerosols varying with time between 1 and 2 μm. Observations with different solar zenith angles make it possible to characterize the aerosol layer at different altitudes, revealing a decrease of the particle size of aerosols as altitude increases.  相似文献   

Amazonian northern mid-latitude glaciation on Mars: A proposed climate scenario     

J.-B. Madeleine  F. Forget  B. Levrard  E. Millour 《Icarus》2009,203(2):390-405

Recent geological observations in the northern mid-latitudes of Mars show evidence for past glacial activity during the late Amazonian, similar to the integrated glacial landsystems in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica. The large accumulation of ice (many hundreds of meters) required to create the observed glacial deposits points to significant atmospheric precipitation, snow and ice accumulation, and glacial flow. In order to understand the climate scenario required for these conditions, we used the LMD (Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique) Mars GCM (General Circulation Model), which is able to reproduce the present-day water cycle, and to predict past deposition of ice consistent with geological observations in many cases. Prior to this analysis, however, significant mid-latitude glaciation had not been simulated by the model, run under a range of parameters.In this analysis, we studied the response of the GCM to a wider range of orbital configurations and water ice reservoirs, and show that during periods of moderate obliquity (? = 25-35°) and high dust opacity (τ_dust = 1.5-2.5), broad-scale glaciation in the northern mid-latitudes occurs if water ice deposited on the flanks of the Tharsis volcanoes at higher obliquity is available for sublimation. We find that high dust contents of the atmosphere increase its water vapor holding capacity, thereby moving the saturation region to the northern mid-latitudes. Precipitation events are then controlled by topographic forcing of stationary planetary waves and transient weather systems, producing surface ice distribution and amounts that are consistent with the geological record. Ice accumulation rates of ∼10 mm yr⁻¹ lead to the formation of a 500-1000 m thick regional ice sheet that will produce glacial flow patterns consistent with the geological observations.  相似文献   

Mars magnetic field: Sources and models for a quarter of the southern hemisphere     

Donna M. Jurdy  Michael Stefanick 《Icarus》2009,203(1):38-46

The heavily-cratered southern hemisphere of Mars encompasses the planet’s strongest, most widespread magnetization. Our study concentrates on this magnetized region in the southern hemisphere within 40° of latitude 40°S, longitude 180°W. First we rotate the coordinates to position the center at −40°, 180° and treat these new latitudes and longitudes as if they were Cartesian coordinates. Then, using an ordinary two-dimensional Fourier analysis for downward continuation, the MGS (MAG/ER) magnetic field data at satellite mapping elevation of ∼400 km are extrapolated to 100 km, sources are estimated and used to model the fields. Quantitative comparison of the downward continued field with the aerobraking field for bins having angular deviation within ±30° gives correlation of .947, .868, and .769 for the components, respectively. This agreement of the fields may result from most of the power in the magnetization resting in wavelengths ∼400 km, with comparatively little at ∼100 km. Over this region, covering nearly an octant of the planet, just a dozen sources can account for 94% of the variance of the magnetic field at the surface. In these models for the field an obvious asymmetry in polarity exists, with majority of the sources being positive. The locations of strongest surface magnetization appear to be near - but not actually within - ancient multi-ringed basins. We test the likelihood of this association by comparing the observed sources found within and near basins for two alternative basin location scenarios with random distributions. For both alternatives we find the observed distributions to be low-probability occurrences. If contemporaneous, this would establish that Mars’ magnetic field extended to the time of impacts causing these basins.  相似文献   

Particle transport and distribution on the Mars Science Laboratory mission: Effects of triboelectric charging     

Robert C. Anderson  Gregory H. Peters  Louise Jandura  Kenneth Manatt  Erik Pounders  Dan Sunshine 《Icarus》2009,204(2):545-7971

We report on the nature of fine particle (<150 μm) transport under simulated martian conditions, in order to better understand the Mars Science Laboratory’s (MSL) sample acquisition, processing and handling subsystem (SA/SPaH). We find that triboelectric charging due to particle movement may have to be controlled in order for successful transport of fines that are created within the drill, processed through the Collection and Handling for In situ Martian Rock Analysis (CHIMRA) sample handing system, and delivered to the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) and Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) instruments. These fines will be transferred from the surface material to the portioner, a 3 mm diameter, 8 mm deep distribution center where they will drop ∼2 cm to the instrument inlet funnels. In our experiments, movement of different material including terrestrial analogs and martian soil simulants (Mars Mojave Simulant - MMS) resulted in 1-7 nanocoulombs of charge to build up for several different experimental configurations. When this charging phenomenon occurs, several different results are observed including particle clumping, adherence of material on conductive surfaces, or electrostatic repulsion, which causes like-charged particles to move away from each other. This electrostatic repulsion can sort samples based upon differing size fractions, while adhesion causes particles of different sizes to bind into clods. Identifying these electrostatic effects can help us understand potential bias in the analytical instruments and to define the best operational protocols to collect samples on the surface of Mars.  相似文献   

Incorporation of argon, krypton and xenon into clathrates on Mars     

Timothy D. Swindle  Caroline Thomas  Jonathan I. Lunine 《Icarus》2009,203(1):66-4032

Calculations of the trapping of heavy noble gases within multiple guest clathrates under Mars-like conditions show that a substantial fraction of the martian Xe, perhaps even the vast majority, could be in clathrates. In addition, the Xe/Kr ratio in the clathrates would probably be much higher than in the atmosphere, so the formation or dissociation of a relatively small amount of clathrate could measurably change the atmospheric ratio. Relatively crude (factor of 2) measurements of the seasonal variability in that ratio by in situ spacecraft would be sensitive to ∼10% of the seasonal atmospheric CO₂ variability being a result of clathrates, rather than pure CO₂ frost. In addition, sequestration of Xe in clathrates remains a viable mechanism for explaining the variable Xe/Kr ratios seen in different suites of martian meteorites.  相似文献   

Water sorption on martian regolith analogs: Thermodynamics and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy     

Antoine Pommerol  Bernard Schmitt  Pierre Beck  Olivier Brissaud 《Icarus》2009,204(1):114-136

The near-infrared reflectance spectra of the martian surface present strong absorption features attributed to hydration water present in the regolith. In order to characterize the relationships between this water and atmospheric vapor and decipher the physical state of water molecules in martian regolith analogs, we designed and built an experimental setup to measure near-IR reflectance spectra under martian atmospheric conditions. Six samples were studied that cover part of the diversity of Mars surface mineralogy: a hydrated ferric oxide (ferrihydrite), two igneous samples (volcanic tuff, and dunite sand), and three potential water rich soil materials (Mg-sulfate, smectite powder and a palagonitic soil, the JSC Mars-1 regolith stimulant). Sorption and desorption isotherms were measured at 243 K for water vapor pressure varying from 10⁻⁵ to ∼0.3 mbar (relative humidity: 10⁻⁴ to 75%). These measurements reveal a large diversity of behavior among the sample suite in terms of absolute amount of water adsorbed, shape of the isotherm and hysteresis between the adsorption and desorption branches. Simultaneous in situ spectroscopic observations permit a detailed analysis of the spectral signature of adsorbed water and also point to clear differences between the samples. Ferric (oxy)hydroxides like ferrihydrite or other phases present in palagonitic soils are very strong water adsorbent and may play an important role in the current martian water cycle by allowing large exchange of water between dust-covered regions and atmosphere at diurnal and seasonal scales.  相似文献   

North polar frontal clouds and dust storms on Mars during spring and summer     

Huiqun Wang  Jenny A. Fisher 《Icarus》2009,204(1):103-113

The complete archive of Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) Mars Daily Global Maps (MDGM) are used to study north polar clouds and dust storms that exhibit frontal structures during the spring and summer (L_s 0-180°). Results show that frontal events generally follow the edge of the polar cap during spring and mid/late summer with a gap in the distribution in early summer. The exact duration and timing of the gap vary from year to year. Ten to twenty percent of spring and summer time frontal events exhibit complex morphologies. Distinct temperature signatures are associated with features observed in images in many but not all cases. The general travel paths of the frontal events are eastward around the polar cap. Westward paths exist only at the edge of the polar cap in late spring/early summer. Occasionally, the paths curve toward or away from the polar cap in certain longitude sectors.  相似文献   

Observations of CO in the atmosphere of Mars with PFS onboard Mars Express     

F. Billebaud  J. Brillet  E. Lellouch  T. Encrenaz  N. Ignatiev  M. Giuranna  F. Forget 《Planetary and Space Science》2009,57(12):1446-1457

We have analyzed spectra of CO recorded with the instrument PFS onboard Mars Express in the (1-0) band. The dataset we used ranges in time from January until June 2004 (L_S=331^°.17 until L_S=51^°.61; end of Mars Year 26, beginning of Mars Year 27). The aim of this work was to determine the amplitude of the CO mixing ratio departures from the mean globally averaged value currently admitted (8±3×10^-4) [Kaplan, L.D., Connes, J., Connes, P., 1969. Carbon monoxide in the martian atmosphere. Astron. J. 157, L187-L192] as a function of season, local time and location on the planet. We therefore processed the data from 90 calibrated orbits. The globally averaged CO mixing ratio value we derive from our dataset, 11.1×10^-4, is compatible with the range found by Kaplan et al. [1969. Carbon monoxide in the martian atmosphere. Astron. J. 157, L187-L192], although somewhat higher than the “standard” value. However, the CO mixing ratio we retrieve exhibits large variations (roughly between 3×10^-4 and 18×10^-4). Such relative variations have been used on a statistical basis to derive main trends as a function of latitude for three L_S ranges: 331-360^°, 0-30^° and 30-52^°. For the first L_S range, we seem to have an enhancement of the CO mixing ratio towards the northern latitudes, probably linked to the CO₂ condensation in winter on the north polar cap. The situation for the two other L_S ranges is not so clear, mainly as we lack data on the southern hemisphere. We roughly agree with the work of Krasnopolsky [2007. Long-term spectroscopic observations of Mars using IRTF/CSHELL: mapping of O2 dayglow, CO and search for CH4. Icarus 190, 93-102] for L_S=331-360^°, thus confirming the effect of seasonal condensation of CO₂ on the north polar cap, but we have no agreement for other seasons.  相似文献