Abstract
The 2007 Phoenix Mars lander will land in the late afternoon at a high northern latitude in the late northern hemisphere spring season. Various types of Mars atmospheric model simulations (general circulation model, mesoscale, and large‐eddy simulation) were used to investigate the plausible range of meteorological conditions that the lander will likely experience during its landed mission and entry, descent, and landing phase. These studies were carried out in support of Phoenix mission atmospheric risk assessment tasks. The model results reveal a circumpolar jet with associated relatively weak transient baroclinic disturbances that appear not to severely impact the potential Phoenix landing sites, even under differing plausible atmospheric dust loading scenarios. At the local time of landing, modeling results indicate vigorous (dry) planetary boundary layer convection extending from the surface to perhaps 5 km.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call