Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer Research Articles

Retrievals of vertical distribution of Martian water vapor from combined day and night MGS TES nadir spectra

Vertical distribution of water vapor in the Martian lower atmosphere (0–40 km) is an important characteristic of the Martian water cycle. It reflects a complex interplay between various processes shaping the contemporary water cycle, including atmospheric transport, formation of water ice clouds, sublimation of surface frost, and possible interaction with the subsurface. Despite the growing dataset of water vapor observations, there is yet no comprehensive climatology of the vertical distribution of vapor. Limb and solar occultation observations that are typically used to retrieve vapor vertical distribution are much less numerous than nadir observations and are available for limited seasons and locations. We propose a new methodology to retrieve vertical distribution of water vapor in the Martian lower atmosphere using only nadir data. The methodology is based on the observation that infrared spectra collected over same location during different parts of day are sensitive to water vapor in different parts of the atmosphere. We validate our new methodology by applying it to infrared spectra simulated for realistic Mars environments created with Mars General Circulation Model (GCM). These tests show that vertical profiles of vapor can be recovered with accuracy ~20–40%, which is comparable to accuracy of limb and occultation observations. Importantly, the new retrieval algorithm can constrain near-surface (0–10 km) vapor abundances that cannot be observed by limb and occultation techniques. Application of this new methodology to a large dataset on Martian nadir spectra, such as the one collected by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) onboard Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) during its mission in 1999–2004, can result in the development of the detailed climatology of vapor vertical distribution on Mars. As an initial step toward this goal, we apply the new retrieval methodology to a subset of nadir spectra collected by MGS TES during one Martian year. The retrieved vapor profiles are qualitatively consistent with vapor distributions predicted by the GCM for different seasons. Differences between retrieved and simulated profiles can be interpreted as reflecting wetter Martian atmosphere and weaker atmospheric transport, during some seasons. Retrieved vapor distribution during southern summer suggests disruption of atmospheric vapor transport into southern extra-tropics following a global dust storm.

Seasonal variability of gravity wave activity in Mars's lower atmosphere from MGS–TES nadir observations

Gravity waves (GW) in the lower atmosphere play an important part in Mars' atmospheric dynamics and energy balance, transferring momentum and energy to higher altitudes and affecting cloud formation. Gravity wave activity at the global scale on Mars can be studied from statistical analysis of variances of brightness temperatures observed by orbiting instruments. We use observations collected by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) aboard Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) during Mars Years 24–27 to explore spatial and seasonal variability of GW activity at horizontal scales ~100 km and on vertical scales >40 km. TES radiances were re-sampled to Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) spectral channels A1 (595–615 cm−1), A2 (615–645 cm−1) and A3 (635–665 cm−1) in the wings of the 15 μm CO2 band to sense GWs in the lower atmosphere. Results show that GW activity correlates with topographic roughness and is likely excited by orographic sources. GW activity decreases significantly with height, suggesting critical level filtering. During the global dust storm (GDS) of MY25 GW activity decreased substantially in the southern hemisphere. High levels of instrument noise that varied through the TES mission make it difficult to make a definitive statement about interannual variability in GW activity.

The Horizontal Wavelength Spectrum of Gravity Wave Activity in Mars’s Lower Atmosphere: The Perspective from MGS–TES Nadir Observations

Connecting upper-atmospheric gravity waves (GW) to their lower- and middle-atmospheric (0–30 and 30–100 km altitude) origins can improve understanding of the evolution of Mars’s atmosphere as well as its present thermal structure and general circulation. A recent study using observations from the Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) characterized the climatology of lower-atmospheric GW with 10–100 km horizontal wavelengths, but GW observed in the upper atmosphere have horizontal wavelengths of up to 500 km, motivating more careful attention to the horizontal wavelength spectrum of lower-atmospheric GW. A previous study of observations by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) on Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) reported substantial interannual variability in the horizontal wavelength spectrum of wave activity defined broadly, including GW. Here, we derive the horizontal wavelength spectrum of wave activity from the brightness temperature variance spectrum of MGS–TES observations resampled to the MRO–MCS spectral channels during L s = 120°–150°, Mars Years 24 and 25. Lower-atmospheric wave activity is strongest at wavelengths <200 km, a population which resembles that observed by MRO–MCS and is likely GW activity. This short-wavelength population is distinct from a wave population with wavelengths >1000 km, which appears to be a mixture of tides and planetary waves. We find that interannual variability in GW activity previously identified using MGS–TES data largely arises from a change in the instrumental noise characteristics of MGS–TES during the first quarter of MY 25.

Baroclinic waves in the northern hemisphere of Mars as observed by the MRO Mars Climate Sounder and the MGS Thermal Emission Spectrometer

The climatology of baroclinic waves in the northern hemisphere of Mars is investigated through analysis of observations by the infrared sounders on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and Mars Global Surveyor (MGS). We focus on the lowest scale height above the surface, where the waves have a large impact on the Martian dust cycle. Profiles retrieved by the MRO Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) rarely reach the lower atmosphere at the season and location of interest. To fill this gap, we turn to observations in the MCS B1 channel (32 μm) when the instrument is viewing the surface. The signature of baroclinic waves appears in these data because of dust-related emission from the lower atmosphere and wave-induced variations of surface temperature. We supplement the MCS data with measurements of temperature at the 610-Pa pressure level from the MGS Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES). Both data sets provide systematic coverage in latitude and longitude at two local times. Characteristics of baroclinic waves are derived through analysis of observations with a combined duration of about 8 Mars years. Basic results include least-squares solutions for wave amplitude and period at zonal wavenumber 1–3; the resolution is 4∘ in latitude and 14 solar days in time of observation. There is a strong similarity between the baroclinic waves observed by MCS and TES, which confirms the sensitivity of the MCS B1 channel to wave activity at pressures near 610 Pa. In all 8 Mars years, the baroclinic waves exhibit periodic transitions among modes with different zonal wavenumbers and a distinctive solstitial pause. Although the weather in each Mars year is unique in some respects, a composite of results from all years reveals a well-defined wave climatology. At each zonal wavenumber, large amplitudes are restricted to a pair of seasonal windows positioned symmetrically about the winter solstice. The wave-2 mode is strongest in early autumn and near the vernal equinox, whereas wave 3 is the dominant mode in mid-autumn and mid-winter, immediately before and after the solstitial pause. The interaction between baroclinic waves and dust storms is investigated through comparisons with spacecraft measurements of dust opacity. A strong wave-3 mode is often present during the initial growth phase of large, seasonal dust storms, which reflects the importance of wave-generated frontal dust storms in triggering these events. The wave-3 amplitude then decreases rapidly as the dust storm evolves; this occurs routinely in all Mars years considered here in connection with both mid-autumn “A” storms and mid-winter “C” storms. In some years A-storm suppression of the wave-3 mode marks the beginning of the solstitial pause. These results provide a basis for testing and development of Mars General Circulation Models as well as context for interpreting contemporaneous observations, such as spacecraft images of frontal and flushing dust storms.

MGS TES observations of the water vapor in the martian southern polar atmosphere during spring and summer

We report retrievals of atmospheric water vapor abundances in and around the South Polar Region (SPR) of Mars during spring and summer of Mars Years (MY) 24–26 (1999–2003). The retrieval utilizes infrared spectra collected by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) aboard the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft. Modifications to the existing retrieval algorithm enable the first retrievals of water vapor abundances over regions covered by the seasonal CO2 frost during spring.We present polar maps of water vapor variability in the SPR for the time periods Ls = 195°–345° in MY24–26. Water vapor behavior in the SPR in MY24 and MY26 exhibits substantial similarity in spatial distribution for the same dates and in temporal variability. Water vapor behavior in MY25 is significantly different from that in MY24 and MY26 with abundances ~30% lower around summer solstice (Ls = 270°). We hypothesize that water vapor behavior in MY25 was affected by the Global Dust Storm (GDS) that started at Ls ~185° of that year and significantly affected the atmosphere of the whole planet. We speculate that the reduction in the observed vapor abundances in MY25 could have resulted from disruption of the southward atmospheric vapor transport from mid-latitudes by the GDS or from reduction of the rate of desorption of vapor from thawed circumpolar terrains due to changes in surface temperature during the GDS.Through most of the spring, highest vapor abundances are observed just northward of the retreating edge of the seasonal CO2 cap, with generally low abundances over the seasonal cap. Repeated cycles of condensation and re-sublimation of water vapor on the edge of the retreating cap could be responsible for this build-up of vapor near the cap edge. Relatively high vapor abundances that are systematically observed over some regions of the cap in late spring could be associated with venting of the mixture of water vapor, CO2 gas and dust from underneath the seasonal cap through fractures in the frost.We explore the evolution of the water vapor in the SPR during spring and summer using two 1-dimenional models representing two limiting cases that attribute observed changes to either atmospheric transport or surface sources. The atmospheric transport model appears to be more consistent with observations, suggesting that atmospheric transport plays the dominant role in the water vapor cycle in the SPR. However, activity of surface processes such as desorption of vapor from the regolith cannot be excluded.Comparison of the water vapor cycle during spring and summer in the SPR and the Northern Polar Region (NPR) shows that, besides the difference in the highest observed abundances, the evolution of the vapor abundances shows remarkable qualitative similarity, despite the presence of a large source of vapor during summer in the north in the form of the North Polar Residual Cap (NPRC). This suggests that the processes shaping the water cycle in the polar regions are similar in nature and differ only in strength. The new data on water vapor in the SPR, together with our previous retrievals of water vapor in the NPR, constitute a new dataset that enables testing of Martian Global Circulation Models close to the planet's poles, and enables better understanding of the difference between the Martian polar regions.

MGS‐TES Spectra Suggest a Basaltic Component in the Regolith of Phobos

AbstractThe origins of the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos have been the subjects of considerable debate. Visible and near‐infrared spectra of these bodies are dark and nearly featureless, with red slopes of varying degrees. These spectra are generally consistent with those of carbonaceous asteroids, leading to the hypothesis that Phobos and Deimos are captured carbonaceous asteroids. The shapes and inclinations of the orbits of Phobos and Deimos present problems for the asteroid capture hypothesis. This had led researchers to suggest that Phobos and Deimos coaccreted with Mars or that they are the result of an impact with Mars or in the Mars vicinity. In this work, we reexamine Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (MGS‐TES) data of Phobos and compare spectra of the Phobos surface to mid‐IR spectra of the ungrouped C2 meteorite Tagish Lake (a suggested analog for D‐class asteroids) and particulate basalt and phyllosilicate samples (mixed with carbon black to reduce their visible albedos) acquired in a simulated airless body environment. We find that Tagish Lake is a poor mid‐IR spectral analog to Phobos and that major spectral features in the Phobos spectrum are best matched by a silicate transparency feature similar to that found for finely particulate basalt. Other features in the spectrum are likely best explained by a phyllosilicate component. We suggest that these results indicate that at a portion of the Phobos surface regolith is derived from the Martian crust.

Radiometric error and re-calibration of the MGS TES spectra

Several sources of systematic error were identified in the spectra of the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) onboard the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft during its mission. Some of these errors were corrected, some still remain and contaminate spectra. One of the most significant remaining errors is a time-variable systematic radiometric error. This error significantly affects nighttime and polar spectra, and spectra of the Mars’ limb. The existence of this error hampered analysis of roughly half of the data collected by TES spectrometer. The error arises due to a periodic sampling error of TES interferograms, which is a common problem in Fourier-transform interferometers. The error negatively affects calibrated TES spectra in two ways: it introduces an error into estimates of the Instrument Response Functions (IRF) and instrument’s radiances that are used to calibrate TES spectra, and it introduces an error into TES spectra themselves.This paper presents a new approach to calibrating TES spectra that enables removing the error from the calibration functions. The new approach utilizes long-term averages of uncalibrated TES spectra of deep space to estimate the true shape of the TES IRF and its dependence on instrument temperature. This, and parameterization of the radiometric error spectral shape, enables removing the error from calibration. Examples of re-calibrated spectra are presented. The largest improvement in the quality of the spectra is observed for nighttime and polar spectra, and spectra of the Mars’ limb. Re-calibration would significantly improve retrievals of aerosol abundances and surface temperatures from these spectra.

Hemispheric asymmetry in martian seasonal surface water ice from MGS TES

The Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) visible/near-infrared and thermal infrared bolometers measured planetary broadband albedo and temperature for more than three Mars years. As seasons progress on Mars, surface temperatures may fall below the frost point of volatiles in the atmosphere (namely, carbon dioxide and water). Systematic mapping of the spatial and temporal occurrence of these volatiles in the martian atmosphere, on the surface, and in the subsurface has shown their importance in understanding the climate of Mars. We examine TES daytime albedo, temperature, and atmospheric opacity data to map the latitudinal and temporal occurrence of seasonal surface water frost on Mars. We expand on previous work by looking at the behavior of water frost over the entire martian year, made possible with comprehensive, multi-year data. Interpretations of frost are based on albedo changes and the corresponding daytime temperature range. Data is considered consistent with water frost when there are significant albedo increases (>0.05 relative to frost-free seasons) and the observed temperatures are ∼170–200K. We argue the presence of extensive water frost in the northern hemisphere, extending from the pole to ∼40°N, following seasonal temperature trends. In the north, water frost first appears near the pole at Ls=∼160° and is last observed at Ls=∼90°. Extensive water frost is less evident in southern hemisphere data, though both hemispheres show data that are consistent with the presence of a water ice annulus during seasonal cap retreat. Hemispherical asymmetry in the occurrence of seasonal water frost is due in part to the lower (∼40%) atmospheric water vapor abundances observed in the southern hemisphere. Our results are consistent with net transport of water vapor to the northern hemisphere. The deposition and sublimation of seasonal water frost may significantly increase the near-surface water vapor density that could substantially extend the geographic occurrence of stable ground ice.

Constraints on water vapor vertical distribution at the Phoenix landing site during summer from MGS TES day and night observations

We present a new method to retrieve column abundances and vertical extent of the water vapor from the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) spectra. The new method enables retrievals from the nighttime TES spectra. The retrieval algorithm employs a new model of the vertical distribution of water vapor in the martian atmosphere. In this model water vapor is confined to a layer of finite height in the lower atmosphere. The atmosphere is dry above this ‘wet’ layer. Within the ‘wet’ layer the water vapor has a constant mixing ratio below the water ice cloud condensation height and is saturated above that height. The new retrieval method simultaneously fits the daytime and nighttime TES spectra for a given location using a single mixing ratio profile. We apply this new method to the TES spectra collected over the site of the Phoenix spacecraft landing during late northern spring and summer. Retrieved daytime column abundances are ∼1–5pr-μm higher than in the previous TES retrieval. Nighttime column abundances are lower than the daytime abundances by ∼5–10pr-μm due to assumed exchange with soil and predicted water ice cloud formation. The height of the ‘wet’ layer varies with season, reaching ∼18km around Ls=80–100° and decreasing to 7–10km by Ls=140°. Changes in the vertical extent of vapor are consistent with seasonal changes in the intensity of the turbulent mixing in the lower atmosphere and in the water ice cloud condensation height. Water vapor extends by several kilometers above the top of the boundary layer at ∼4km, suggesting that vertical transport of vapor is not limited to the boundary layer.

Temperatures and aerosol opacities of the Mars atmosphere at aphelion: Validation and inter-comparison of limb sounding profiles from MRO/MCS and MGS/TES

We exploit the relative stability and repeatability of the Mars atmosphere at aphelion for an inter-comparison of Mars Global Surveyor/Thermal Emission Spectrometer (MGS/TES) and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter/Mars Climate Sounder (MRO/MCS) nighttime temperature profiles and aerosol opacity profiles in Mars years 25, 26, 29, 30, and 31. Cross-calibration of these datasets is important, as they together provide an extended climatology for this planetary atmosphere. As a standard of comparison we employ temperature profiles obtained by radio occultation methods during the MGS mission in Mars years 24, 25, and 26. We first compare both zonal mean TES limb sounding profiles and zonal mean MCS limb sounding profiles with zonal means of radio occultation temperature profiles for the same season (Ls=70–80°) and latitudes (55–70°N). We employ a statistical z test for quantifying the degree of agreement of temperature profiles by pressure level. For pressures less than 610Pa (altitudes>3km), the ensemble mean temperature difference between the radio occultation and TES limb sounding profiles found in these comparisons was 1.7±0.7K. The ensemble mean temperature difference between radio occultation and MCS profiles was 1.4±1.0K. These differences fall within the formal error estimates for both TES and MCS, validating the accuracy of the instruments and their respective retrieval algorithms. In the second phase of our investigation, we compare aphelion season zonal mean TES limb sounding temperature, water ice opacity, and dust opacity profiles with those obtained at the same latitudes in different years by MCS. The ensemble mean temperature difference found for three comparisons between TES and MCS zonal mean temperature profiles was 2.8±2.1K. MCS and TES temperatures between 610Pa and 5Pa from 55 to 70°N are largely in agreement (with differences<2K) when water ice aerosol opacities are comparable. Temperature differences increase when the opacities are dissimilar; TES profiles exhibit colder temperatures when TES water ice opacities are greater than those observed by MCS. Our comparisons reveal a possible systematic offset of TES and MCS temperatures at the highest altitudes resolved in the TES retrievals; TES temperatures are consistently colder than the corresponding MCS temperatures at pressures⩽1Pa (altitudes⩾58km). We otherwise find no evidence of systematic bias between TES limb sounding and MCS retrieved atmospheric quantities between 610Pa and 1Pa. Inter-annual variability is noted in comparisons of latitudinal temperature gradients from 55 to 70°N, in the amplitude of inversions linked with thermal tides in the middle atmosphere, and in the abundance and vertical distribution of water ice aerosols from 55 to 70°N during the aphelion season.

Retrievals of martian atmospheric opacities from MGS TES nighttime data

We describe a new retrieval algorithm that accounts for the presence of the systematic background radiance error in the infrared spectra collected by the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES). The algorithm is used to retrieve dust and water ice cloud opacities from the nighttime TES nadir spectra. Nighttime dust opacities are systematically higher than the day opacities by ∼30%, which is attributed to uncertainties of the retrieval model. Nighttime water ice cloud opacities could be systematically underestimated by a factor of ∼2, depending on the ice particle size. Uncertainty of the ice particle sizes does not affect clouds spatial distributions. Independent of the ice particle sizes, the night clouds have higher opacity and are more extensive than the day clouds. Spatial and seasonal variability of nighttime ice clouds is investigated over a time span of 2.5Mars years of TES observations. Seasonal evolution of the nighttime clouds is similar to the evolution of daytime clouds, with the maximum areal extent and highest opacities reached during the aphelion season (northern spring and summer) in the equatorial belt. A secondary increase in the ice cloud opacities is observed during perihelion season (southern spring and summer). During southern summer extensive clouds are found over and around the Tharsis volcanoes, Olympus Mons, western Valles Marineris, and between Syrtis Major and Elysium Planitia. This pattern of diurnal spatial variability is consistent with the strong influence of thermal tides on cloud formation. Perihelion season is characterized by the thinner nighttime clouds appearing south of the Tharsis and western Valles Marineris and north of the Hellas basin. The seasonal spatial patterns of the nighttime water ice clouds are highly repeatable year over year.

Evidence for magma‐carbonate interaction beneath Syrtis Major, Mars

We used three methods—spectral index mapping, linear spectral mixture analysis, and factor analysis and target transformation—to determine if carbonate decomposition products, including lime (CaO), periclase (MgO), portlandite (Ca(OH)2), and brucite (Mg(OH)2), are present on the surface of Mars. Using an expanded spectral library that includes decomposition products of calcite and magnesite, we deconvolved a binned emissivity data set from the Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (MGS‐TES). The deconvolution model indicates that anhydrous carbonates are not present at kilometer scales above the TES detection limit; however, carbonate decomposition products may be present at or above the TES detection limit in northeast Syrtis Major and several other small regions on Mars. The model results are supported by spectral index mapping and factor analysis and target transformation of TES data in this region. The volcanic setting of the detections may indicate the interaction of Syrtis Major lavas with subsurface carbonates, or, alternatively, the eruption of carbonate‐bearing lavas that were subsequently devolatilized by impacts or later lava flows.

Extending MGS-TES temperature retrievals in the martian atmosphere up to 90 km: Retrieval approach and results

This paper describes a methodology for performing temperature retrievals in the martian atmosphere in the 60–90km altitude range using spectrally integrated 15μm CO2 limb emissions measured by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES), the infrared spectrometer on-board the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS). We show that a limited number of limb-geometry sequences observed by this instrument are characterized by a high enough signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to extend the upper limit of the retrievals to ∼90km. Using the methodology described in the paper, we have retrieved ∼1200 individual temperature profiles from the MGS TES limb observations in the altitude range between 60 and 90km. The set of retrieved temperature profiles is available for download in supplemental materials of this paper. The temperature retrieval uncertainties are mainly caused by noise in the observed radiance, and are estimated to be about ±2K at 60km, ±3K at 70km, ±5K at 80km, and ±13K at 90km. We compare the retrieved profiles to the martian Year 24 (MY 24) dataset of the Mars Climate Database (MCD) and SPICAM measured temperature profiles for MY 27 and find good qualitative agreement. Quantitatively, our retrieved profiles are in general warmer and demonstrate strong profile-to-profile variability. The warm bias is partially explained by the selection of high SNR limb scans and can be estimated and taken into account. Overall, the average difference between the TES-retrieved temperatures corrected for warm bias and the MCD MY24 dataset is 4K at 60km, 4K at 70km, 2K at 80km, and −2K at 90km. The root-mean-square of the temperature variability caused by gravity waves estimated in this work is 7K at 60km, 11K at 70km, 18K at 80km, and 25K at 90km.

Curvilinear features in the southern hemisphere observed by Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera

We have used the complete set of Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Daily Global Maps (MDGMs) to study martian weather in the southern hemisphere, focusing on curvilinear features, including frontal events and streaks. “Frontal events” refer to visible events that are morphologically analogous to terrestrial baroclinic storms. MDGMs show that visible frontal events were mainly concentrated in the 210–300°E (60–150°W) sector and the 0–60°E sector around the southern polar cap during L s = 140–250° and L s = 340–60°. The non-uniform spatial and temporal distributions of activity were also shown by MGS Thermal Emission Spectrometer transient temperature variations near the surface. “Streaks” refer to long curvilinear features in the polar hood or over the polar cap. They are an indicator of the shape of the polar vortex. Streaks in late winter usually show wavy segments between the 180° meridian and Argyre. Model results suggest that the zonal wave number m = 3 eastward traveling waves are important for their formation.

MGS TES observations of the water vapor above the seasonal and perennial ice caps during northern spring and summer

We report on new retrievals of water vapor column abundances from the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) data. The new retrievals are from the TES nadir data taken above the ‘cold’ surface areas in the North polar region ( T surf < 220 K, including seasonal frost and permanent ice cap) during spring and summer seasons, where retrievals were not performed initially. Retrievals are possible (with some modifications to the original algorithm) over cold surfaces overlaid by sufficiently warm atmosphere. The retrieved water vapor column abundances are compared to the column abundances observed by other spacecrafts in the Northern polar region during spring and summer and good agreement is found. We detect an annulus of water vapor growing above the edge of the retreating seasonal cap during spring. The formation of the vapor annulus is consistent with the previously proposed mechanism for water cycling in the polar region, according to which vapor released by frost sublimation during spring re-condenses on the retreating seasonal CO 2 cap. The source of the vapor in the vapor annulus, according to this model, is the water frost on the surface of the CO 2 at the retreating edge of the cap and the frost on the ground that is exposed by the retreating cap. Small contribution from regolith sources is possible too, but cannot be quantified based on the TES vapor data alone. Water vapor annulus exhibits interannual variability, which we attribute to variations in the atmospheric temperature. We propose that during spring and summer the water ice sublimation is retarded by high relative humidity of the local atmosphere, and that higher atmospheric temperatures lead to higher vapor column abundances by increasing the water holding capacity of the atmosphere. Since the atmospheric temperatures are strongly influenced by the atmospheric dust content, local dust storms may be controlling the release of vapor into the polar atmosphere. Water vapor abundances above the residual polar cap also exhibit noticeable interannual variability. In some years abundances above the cap are lower than the abundances outside of the cap, consistent with previous observations, while in the other years the abundances above the cap are higher or similar to abundances outside of the cap. We speculate that the differences may be due to weaker off-cap transport in the latter case, keeping more vapor closer to the source at the surface of the residual cap. Despite the large observed variability in water vapor column abundances in the Northern polar region during spring and summer, the latitudinal distribution of the vapor mass in the atmosphere is very similar during the summer season. If the variability in vapor abundances is caused by the variability of vapor sources across the residual cap then this would mean that they annually contribute relatively little vapor mass to significantly affect the vapor mass budget. Alternatively this may suggest that the vapor variability is caused by the variability of the polar atmospheric circulation. The new water vapor retrievals should be useful in tuning the Global Circulation Models of the martian water cycle.

Effect of atmospheric dust loading on martian albedo measurements

This work is devoted to the analysis of the variation of albedo measured by orbiting instruments with atmospheric opacity on Mars. The study has been conduced by analysing Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (MGS-TES) data from martian regions with different surface albedo. In support of these data, synthetic spectra with different surface albedo and atmospheric opacities have been computed, so that a comparison has been performed. The synthetic spectra have been retrieved by using two different grain sizes for suspended dust (0.5 and 1.2 μm), allowing a comparison between the two models and the observations. Using the DCI, a parameter describing the quantity of dust deposited on the surface, the effectiveness of the single scattering approximation has been tested for low atmospheric opacity by analysing the quality of the linear fit up to different atmospheric opacity. For more opaque conditions two kinds of fits have been applied to the data, linear and second-order degree polynomial. In this case, we found that the polynomial fit better describes the observations. The analysis of these data made it possible to notice a peculiar trend, already reported by Christensen (1988), of the albedo over Syrtis Major after the occurrence of dust storms, but, differently from that work, now the study of DCI together with atmospheric opacity and albedo allowed us to robustly confirm the hypothesis made by Christensen. Finally, the comparison between observations and synthetic spectra computed with models with different particles grain sizes indicates that dust particles of 0.5 μm diameter are the most effective to change the aerosol atmospheric opacity on Mars.

Extension of atmospheric dust loading to high altitudes during the 2001 Mars dust storm: MGS TES limb observations

Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) visible (solarband bolometer) and thermal infrared (IR) spectral limb observations from the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) support quantitative profile retrievals for dust opacity and particle sizes during the 2001 global dust event on Mars. The current analysis considers the behavior of dust lifted to altitudes above 30 km during the course of this storm; in terms of dust vertical mixing, particle sizes, and global distribution. TES global maps of visible (solarband) limb brightness at 60 km altitude indicate a global-scale, seasonally evolving (over 190–240° solar longitudes, L S ) longitudinal corridor of vertically extended dust loading (which may be associated with a retrograde propagating, wavenumber 1 Rossby wave). Spherical radiative transfer analysis of selected limb profiles for TES visible and thermal IR radiances provide quantitative vertical profiles of dust opacity, indicating regional conditions of altitude-increasing dust mixing ratios. Observed infrared spectral ( λ = 5 – 40 μ m ) dependences and visible-to-infrared opacity ratios of dust scattering over 30–60 km altitudes indicate particle sizes characteristic of lower altitudes (cross-section weighted effective radius, r eff = 1.5 – 2.0 μ m ), during conditions of significant dust transport to these altitudes. Conditions of reduced dust loading at 30–60 km altitudes present smaller dust particle sizes ( r eff ∼ 0.5 – 1.0 μ m ) . These observations suggest rapid meridional transport at 30–80 km altitudes, with substantial longitudinal variation, of dust lifted to these altitudes over southern hemisphere atmospheric regions characterized by extraordinary (m/s) vertical advection velocities. By L S = 230 ° dust loading above 50 km altitudes decreased markedly at southern latitudes, with a high altitude (60–80 km) haze of fine (likely) water ice particles appearing over 10°S–40°N latitudes.

Water vapor variability in the north polar region of Mars from Viking MAWD and MGS TES datasets

Atmospheric water vapor abundances in Mars’ north polar region (NPR, from 60° to 90°N) are mapped as function of latitude and longitude for spring and summer seasons, and their spatial, seasonal, and interannual variability is discussed. Water vapor data are from Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) and the Viking Orbiter (VO) Mars Atmospheric Water Detector (MAWD). The data cover three complete northern spring–summer seasons in 1977–1978, 2000–2001 and 2002–2003, and shorter periods of spring–summer seasons during 1975, 1999 and 2004. Long term interannual variability in the averaged NPR abundances may exist, with Viking MAWD observations showing twice as much water vapor during summer as the MGS TES observations more than 10 martian years (MY) later. While the averaged abundances are very similar in TES observations for the same season in different years, the spatial distributions in the early summer season do vary significantly year over year. Spatial and temporal variabilities increase between L s ∼ 80–140°, which may be related to vapor sublimation from the North Polar Residual Cap (NPRC), or to changes in circulation. Spatial variability is observed on scales of ∼100 km and temporal variability is observed on scales of <10 sols during summer. During late spring the TES water vapor spatial distribution is seen to correlate with the low topography/low albedo region of northern Acidalia Planitia (270–360°E), and with the dust spatial distribution across the NPR during late spring–early summer. Non-uniform vertical distribution of water vapor, a regolith source or atmospheric circulation ‘pooling’ of water vapor from the NPRC into the topographic depression may be behind the correlation with low topography/low albedo. Sublimation winds carrying water vapor off the NPRC and lifting surface dust in the areas surrounding the NPRC may explain the correlation between the water vapor and dust spatial distributions. Correlation between water vapor and dust in MAWD data are only observed over low topography/low albedo area. Maximum water vapor abundances are observed at L s = 105–115° and outside of the NPRC at 75–80°N; the TES data, however, do not extend over the NPRC and thus, this conclusion may be biased. Some water vapor appears to be released in plumes or ‘outbursts’ in the MAWD and TES datasets during late spring and early summer. We propose that the sublimation rate of ice varies across the NPRC with varying surface winds, giving rise to the observed ‘outbursts’ at some seasons.

MRO/CRISM Retrieval of Surface Lambert Albedos for Multispectral Mapping of Mars With DISORT-Based Radiative Transfer Modeling: Phase 1—Using Historical Climatology for Temperatures, Aerosol Optical Depths, and Atmospheric Pressures

We discuss the DISORT-based radiative transfer pipeline (ldquoCRISM_LambertAlbrdquo) for atmospheric and thermal correction of MRO/CRISM data acquired in multispectral mapping mode (~200 m/pixel, 72 spectral channels). Currently, in this phase-one version of the system, we use aerosol optical depths, surface temperatures, and lower atmospheric temperatures, all from climatology derived from Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (MGS-TES) data and from surface altimetry derived from MGS Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA). The DISORT-based model takes the dust and ice aerosol optical depths (scaled to the CRISM wavelength range), the surface pressures (computed from MOLA altimetry, MGS-TES lower atmospheric thermometry, and Viking-based pressure climatology), the surface temperatures, the reconstructed instrumental photometric angles, and the measured I/F spectrum as inputs, and then a Lambertian albedo spectrum is computed as the output. The Lambertian albedo spectrum is valuable geologically because it allows the mineralogical composition to be estimated. Here, I/F is defined as the ratio of the radiance measured by CRISM to the solar irradiance at Mars divided by pi; if there was no martian atmosphere, I/F divided by the cosine of the incidence angle would be equal to the Lambert albedo for a Lambertian surface. After discussing the capabilities and limitations of the pipeline software system, we demonstrate its application on several multispectral data cubes-particularly, the outer reaches of the northern ice cap of Mars, the Tyrrhena Terra area that is northeast of the Hellas basin, and an area near the landing site for the Phoenix mission in the northern plains. For the icy spectra near the northern polar cap, aerosols need to be included in order to properly correct for the CO2 absorption in the H2O ice bands at wavelengths near 2.0 mum. In future phases of software development, we intend to use CRISM data directly in order to retrieve the spatiotemporal maps of aerosol optical depths, surface pressure, and surface temperature. This will allow a second level of refinement in the atmospheric and thermal correction of CRISM multispectral data.

Thermal transformations of akaganéite and lepidocrocite to hematite: assessment of possible precursors to Martian crystalline hematite

We examine the possibility that crystalline hematite (α-Fe2O3) deposits on Mars were derived from the precursor iron oxyhydroxide minerals akaganeite (β-FeOOH) or lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) and compare them to an earlier study of goethite (α-FeOOH) and magnetite (Fe3O4) precursors. Both the mid-infrared and visible/near infrared spectra of hematite are dependent upon the hematite precursor mineral and the temperature of transformation. Laboratory spectra are compared to spectra from the Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (MGS-TES) and the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Opportunity Mini-TES and Pancam experiments, allowing us to infer the formation environment of Martian crystalline hematite deposits. Akaganeite and lepidocrocite readily transform to hematite at temperatures of 300 and 500°C, respectively. The visible/near-infrared and mid-infrared spectra of akaganeite-derived hematite are poor matches to data returned from TES, Mini-TES, and Pancam. The spectra of lepidocrocite-derived hematite are slightly better fits, but previously published spectra of goethite-derived hematite still represent the best match to MGS and MER spectral data. The experiments demonstrate that hematite precursor mineralogy, temperature of formation, and crystal shape exert a strong control on the hematite spectra.