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Meteorological predictions for the Beagle 2 mission to Mars
Author(s) -
Rafkin Scot C. Randell,
Michaels Timothy I.,
Haberle Robert M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2003gl018966
Subject(s) - mesoscale meteorology , mars exploration program , atmospheric sciences , atmosphere of mars , geology , atmosphere (unit) , convection , environmental science , climatology , general circulation model , meteorology , gravity wave , planetary boundary layer , boundary layer , martian , physics , gravitational wave , climate change , mechanics , astrobiology , oceanography , astrophysics
A general circulation and mesoscale model are used to predict the weather at the Beagle 2 landing site. The afternoon high temperature predicted by the general circulation model varies from 237 to 243 K over the duration of the primary mission. The overnight low temperature is 193 K ± 2 K. Near surface wind speeds remain below 15 ms −1 at all times. The mesoscale model predicts a wind maximum at the top of the ∼4 km deep convective boundary layer. Gravity waves are evident in the free atmosphere above the PBL. The overall weather pattern is dominated by upslope and downslope circulations, but these are modulated by changes in the large‐scale circulation.