New near-IR observations of mesospheric CO2 and H2O clouds on Mars

Carbon dioxide clouds, which are speculated by models on solar and extra-solar planets, have been recently observed near the equator of Mars. The most comprehensive identification of Martian CO2 ice clouds has been obtained by the near-IR imaging spectrometer OMEGA. CRISM, a similar instrument with a higher spatial resolution, cannot detect these clouds with the same method due to its shorter wavelength range. Here we present a new method to detect CO2 clouds using near-IR data based on the comparison of H2O and CO2 ice spectral properties. The spatial and seasonal distributions of 54 CRISM observations containing CO2 clouds are reported, in addition to 17 new OMEGA observations. CRISM CO2 clouds are characterized by grain size in the 0.5-2\mum range and optical depths lower than 0.3. The distributions of CO2 clouds inferred from OMEGA and CRISM are consistent with each other and match at first order the distribution of high altitude (>60km) clouds derived from previous studies. At second order, discrepancies are observed. We report the identification of H2O clouds extending up to 80 km altitude, which could explain part of these discrepancies: both CO2 and H2O clouds can exist at high, mesospheric altitudes. CRISM observations of afternoon CO2 clouds display morphologies resembling terrestrial cirrus, which generalizes a previous result to the whole equatorial clouds season. Finally, we show that morning OMEGA observations have been previously misinterpreted as evidence for cumuliform, and hence potentially convective, CO2 clouds.Comment: Vincendon, M., C. Pilorget, B. Gondet, S. Murchie, and J.-P. Bibring (2011), New near-IR observations of mesospheric CO2 and H2O clouds on Mars, J. Geophys. Res., 116, E00J0

An Extremely Elongated Cloud Over Arsia Mons Volcano on Mars: I. Life Cycle

We report a previously unnoticed annually repeating phenomenon consisting of the daily formation of an extremely elongated cloud extending as far as 1,800 km westward from Arsia Mons. It takes place in the solar longitude (Ls) range of ∼220°–320°, around the Southern solstice. We study this Arsia Mons Elongated Cloud (AMEC) using images from different orbiters, including ESA Mars Express, NASA MAVEN, Viking 2, MRO, and ISRO Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). We study the AMEC in detail in Martian year (MY) 34 in terms of local time and Ls and find that it exhibits a very rapid daily cycle: the cloud growth starts before sunrise on the western slope of the volcano, followed by a westward expansion that lasts 2.5 h with a velocity of around 170 m/s in the mesosphere (∼45 km over the areoid). The cloud formation then ceases, detaches from its formation point, and continues moving westward until it evaporates before the afternoon, when most sun-synchronous orbiters make observations. Moreover, we comparatively study observations from different years (i.e., MYs 29–34) in search of interannual variations and find that in MY33 the cloud exhibits lower activity, while in MY34 the beginning of its formation was delayed compared with other years, most likely due to the Global Dust Storm. This phenomenon takes place in a season known for the general lack of clouds on Mars. In this paper we focus on observations, and a theoretical interpretation will be the subject of a separate paper.This work has been supported by the Spanish project AYA2015-65041-P and PID2019-109467GB-I00 (MINECO/FEDER, UE) and Grupos Gobierno Vasco IT-1366-19. JHB was supported by ESA Contract No. 4000118461/16/ES/JD, Scientific Support for Mars Express Visual Monitoring Camera. The Aula EspaZio Gela is supported by a grant from the Diputación Foral de Bizkaia (BFA). We acknowledge support from the Faculty of the European Space Astronomy Center (ESAC). Special thanks are due to the Mars Express Science Ground Segment and Flight Control Team at ESAC and ESOC. The contributions by K.C and N.M.S were supported by NASA through the MAVEN project

The Mars Express limbs observations database

The capability to orient Mars Express allows a great diversity of observations modes, in particular nadir and limb. During day and night limb’s observations, 4 out of 7 MEX instruments (the spectrometers: SPICAM, OMEGA, PFS and the high-resolution camera HRSC) work together to provide spectra (.12 µ�m to 45 �µm) of the Martian atmosphere, at each altitude step, with the associated image. We will present the limbs database of more than 10 years in orbit with striking results (dust and clouds detached layers, day and night emissions). The database is now accessible to the scientific community via the ESA/PSA website (www.rssd.esa.int/PSA)

Mapping the mesospheric CO₂ clouds on Mars

International audienceThis climatology of martian clouds will enable us to better characterise the mesospheric structure and dynamics, as very specific conditions (especially low temperatures and a source of condensation nuclei) are required for CO2 ice condensation

Mars CO2 ice clouds: results of 4 Martian years of monitoring by OMEGA/Mars Express

An important achievement of the ESA/MarsExpress mission is the detection and characterization of mesospheric CO2 ice clouds, by indirect (PFS and SPICAM) and direct (OMEGA and HRSC) observations, as discussed by Clancy et al.. These clouds have been recently detected by CRISM and MCS on board MRO. Back in 2007, OMEGA provided the first non ambiguous discovery and characterization of high altitude CO2 ice clouds in Mars atmosphere, at specific locations and times, through their diagnostic reflectance signature at 4,26 m. They were monitored, in their space/time evolution, during 4 consecutive Martian years. They offer a unique possibility to understand the processes involved in cloud formation, both on Mars and Earth. We will present an overview of the properties of these clouds in terms of location, altitude, seasonal variation, and opacity. Although no definite explanation for their formation can be proposed yet, we will suggest potential processes and conditions to account for

First Detection of O2 Recombination Nightglow Emission at 1.27 µm in the Atmosphere of Mars With OMEGA/MEX and Comparison with Model

Le fichier pdf est un "extended abstract" de 3 pages en libre acces: http://www-mars.lmd.jussieu.fr/paris2011/abstracts/bertaux_paris2011.pdfInternational audiencesan

Solar Albedo High Resolution Global Map of the Martian Surface from OMEGA/MEX

International audienceWe present a global map of solar albedo derived from OMEGA data. It is the highest resolution map of this key parameter for climate modelling and TI retrievals

First detection of O₂ 1.27 μm nightglow emission at Mars with OMEGA/MEX and comparison with general circulation model predictions

International audienceWe report the first detection in the atmosphere of Mars of the nightside O2(a1Δg) emission at 1.27 μm from limb observations of the OMEGA imaging spectrometer on board Mars Express (MEX). The emission, detected in three cases out of 40 observations, is due to recombination in a downwelling air parcel of O atoms produced by photodissociation of CO2 on the dayside in the upper atmosphere (O + O + M→ O2* + M), and not from ozone UV photodissociation, as is often seen on the dayside. Observed vertical profiles and total retrieved vertical intensities are compared with models. When detected, the emission is 10 times larger than previous predictions, at ∼240 kR. This can be explained in the frame of a general circulation model (GCM) of Mars. As predicted by the GCM, all positive observations were obtained at high latitudes, during the winter night. The model is validated, which simulates the large Hadley cell characterizing the meridional circulation, ascending from the summer pole and descending to the winter pole. This new emission is tracing uniquely a downward advection transport mechanism, and therefore its detailed study will provide important constraints on the overall aeronomy and dynamics of Mars. The impact on long-term stability of methane is examined. It is found that recycling through the mesosphere will not decrease significantly the overall lifetime of CH4 (∼300 years), because the descent of air is confined to high latitudes and winter seasons. These observations are demonstrating a new diagnosis of the aeronomy and atmospheric dynamics of Mars