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The effects of orbital and climatic variations on Martian surface heat flow
Author(s) -
Mellon Michael T.,
Jakosky Bruce M.
Publication year - 1992
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 - 10.1029/92gl02779
Subject(s) - martian , polar , heat flow , atmospheric sciences , environmental science , latitude , flow (mathematics) , martian surface , climatology , geothermal gradient , geology , mars exploration program , geophysics , astrobiology , meteorology , mechanics , thermal , physics , astronomy , geodesy
We have examined the effects of climate changes, induced by orbital oscillations, on Martian surface heat flow. It was found that the climatological component of the surface heat flow can be larger than the expected internal geothermal heat flow. We suggest that measurements of surface heat flow be targeted for equatorial and south polar regions to avoid climatic effects and that care be taken in interpreting measurements in mid‐latitude and north polar regions.