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A model study of the atmospheric boundary layer in the Mars pathfinder lander conditions
Author(s) -
Savijarvi Hannu
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
quarterly journal of the royal meteorological society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.744
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1477-870X
pISSN - 0035-9009
DOI - 10.1002/qj.49712555406
Subject(s) - atmospheric sciences , diurnal cycle , environmental science , mars exploration program , sunrise , planetary boundary layer , daytime , boundary layer , sublimation (psychology) , humidity , regolith , meteorology , geology , astrobiology , physics , mechanics , psychology , psychotherapist
The diurnal cycle in the Mars Pathfinder sol 3‐6 observed temperatures is compared with results from a one‐dimensional high‐resolution atmospheric boundary‐layer model for Mars. the agreement is in general quite good, the model catching the observed cycle well with realistic regolith (soil) parameter values. the model processes driving the temperature changes, such as the surface radiation and heat budgets, and the atmospheric radiative and turbulent heating rates, are presented and discussed. The model includes moisture, and its hydrologic cycle is described. It indicates a dryish soil and a quite dry daytime well‐mixed boundary layer up to 5 km with specific‐humidity values around 0.18 g kg −1 . the relative humidity increases strongly in the evening and saturation is reached by 04 local time near the surface. the very thin radiation fog thus formed is dissolved soon after sunrise. There is weak frost formation at night and sublimation during daytime.