Detection of Northern Hemisphere transient eddies at Gale Crater Mars

Robert M. Haberle*, Manuel de la Torre Juárez, Melinda A. Kahre, David M. Kass, Jeffrey R. Barnes, Jeffery L. Hollingsworth, Ari Matti Harri, Henrik Kahanpää

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) on the Curiosity Rover is operating in the Southern Hemisphere of Mars and is detecting synoptic period oscillations in the pressure data that we attribute to Northern Hemisphere transient eddies. We base this interpretation on the similarity in the periods of the eddies and their seasonal variations with those observed in northern midlatitudes by Viking Lander 2 (VL-2) 18 Mars years earlier. Further support for this interpretation comes from global circulation modeling which shows similar behavior in the transient eddies at the grid points closest to Curiosity and VL-2. These observations provide the first in situ evidence that the frontal systems often associated with “Flushing Dust Storms” do cross the equator and extend into the Southern Hemisphere.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)150-160
Number of pages11
JournalIcarus
Volume307
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2018
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Detection of Northern Hemisphere transient eddies at Gale Crater Mars'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this