Initial Results of the Relative Humidity Observations by MEDA Instrument Onboard the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover

Abstract

AbstractThe Mars 2020 mission rover “Perseverance”, launched on 30 July 2020 by NASA, landed successfully 18 February 2021 at Jezero Crater, Mars (Lon. E 77.4509° Lat. N 18.4446°). The landing took place at Mars solar longitude Ls = 5.2°, close to start of the northern spring. Perseverance's payload includes the relative humidity sensor MEDA HS (Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer Humidity Sensor), which operations, performance, and the first observations from sol 80 to sol 410 (Ls 44°–210°) of Perseverance's operations we describe. The relative humidity measured by MEDA‐HS is reliable from late night hours to few tens of minutes after sunrise when the measured humidity is greater than 2% (referenced to sensor temperature). Data delivered to the Planetary Data System include relative humidity, sensor temperature, uncertainty of relative humidity, and volume mixing ratio (VMR). VMR is calculated using the MEDA‐PS pressure sensor values. According to observations, nighttime absolute humidity follows a seasonal curve in which release of water vapor from the northern cap with advancing northern spring and summer is visible. At ground level, frost conditions may have been reached a few times during this season (Ls 44°–210°). Volume mixing ratio values show a declining diurnal trend from the midnight toward the morning suggesting adsorption of humidity into the ground. Observations are compared with an adsorptive single‐column model, which complies with observations and confirms adsorption. The model allows estimating daytime VMR levels. Short‐term subhour timescales show large temporal fluctuations in humidity, which suggest vertical and spatial advection.