Atmospheric Observations by Mars Express

International audienc

Atmospheric Observations by Mars Express

International audienc

Atmospheric Observations by Mars Express

International audienc

MARS EXPRESS: Mission Status, Recent Findings and future Plans

International audienceMars Express has entered its second decade in orbit in excellent health. Characterization of geological processes and landforms on Mars on a local-to- regional scale by HRSC camera constrained the mar- tian geological activity in space and time and sug- gested its episodicity. Six years of spectro-imaging observations by OMEGA allowed correction of the surface albedo for presence of the atmospheric dust and revealed changes associated with the dust storm seasons. Imaging and spectral imaging of the surface shed light on past and present aqueous activity and contributed to the selection of the Mars-2018 landing sites. More than a decade long record of climatologi- cal parameters such as temperature, dust loading, water vapor, and ozone abundance was established by SPICAM and PFS spectrometers. Observed varia- tions of HDO/H2O ratio above the subliming North polar cap suggested seasonal fractionation. The ASPERA observations of ion escape covering a complete solar cycle revealed important dependences of the atmospheric erosion rate on parameters of the solar wind and EUV flux. Structure of the ionosphere sounded by MARSIS radar and MaRS radio science experiment was found to be significantly affected by the solar activity, crustal magnetic field as well as by influx of meteorite and cometary dust. The new atlas of Phobos based on the HRSC imaging was issued.Mars Express remains one of ESA’s most scientifi- cally productive missions and has fully accomplished its objectives set for 2015-2016. The mission pro- vides unique capabilities amongst the flotilla of spacecraft investigating Mars. The science case for the mission extension till the end of 2020 has just been submitted. The science objectives for 2017- 2018 are confirmed and fully achievable. The obser- vation programme proposed for 2019-2020 includes both augmenting the coverage and extending long- time series, as well as new elements and potentially new discoveries. It will be boosted by collaboration and synergies with NASA’s MAVEN, ESA- Roscosmos ExoMars-2016 Trace Gas Orbiter and other missions. The talk will give the mission status, review the recent science highlights, and outline fu- ture plans

Mars Express recent findings and future plans

International audienceMars Express remains one of ESA’s most scientifically productive missions whose publication record nowexceeds 1000 papers. Characterization of geological processes on a local-to-regional scale by HRSC, OMEGAand partner experiments on NASA spacecraft has allowed constraining land-forming processes in space and time.Recent results suggest episodic geological activity as well as the presence of large bodies of liquid water in severalprovinces (e.g. Eridania Planum, Terra Chimeria) in the early and middle Amazonian epoch and formation ofvast sedimentary plains north of the Hellas basin. Mars Express observations and experimental teams providedan essential contribution to the selection of the Mars-2020 landing sites. More than a decade-long record ofatmospheric parameters such as temperature, dust loading, water vapor and ozone abundance, water ice and CO2clouds distribution, collected by SPICAM, PFS and OMEGA spectrometers as well as subsequent modeling haveprovided key contributions to our understanding of the martian climate. The ASPERA-3 observations of ionescape covering a complete solar cycle have revealed important dependencies of the atmospheric erosion rate onparameters of the solar wind and EUV flux. Structure of the ionosphere sounded by the MARSIS radar and theMaRS radio science experiment was found to be significantly affected by the solar activity, the crustal magneticfield, as well as by the influx of meteorite and cometary dust. MARSIS and ASPERA-3 observations suggestthat the sunlit ionosphere over the regions with strong crustal fields is denser and extends to higher altitudes ascompared to the regions with no crustal anomalies. The ionospheric plasma expands to higher altitudes where itcontacts with the solar wind plasma. Reconnection of solar magnetic field lines carried by the solar wind withfield lines of crustal origin opens channels through which the ionospheric plasma escapes to space, producingstrong and narrow cavities in the density. The situation is very different on the night side where the ionosphere hasa patchy structure. Such patchy ionizations are observed in the regions where crustal field lines have a dominantvertical component. Through these patches the ionospheric plasma from the dayside penetrates and supplies thenightside ionosphere.Mars Express has fully accomplished its objectives set for 2015-2016. The mission provides unique observationcapabilities amongst the flotilla of spacecraft investigating Mars. The mission has been confirmed till the endof 2018. The science case for the mission extension until the end of 2020 has been submitted. The observationprogram proposed for 2019-2020 includes both augmenting the coverage and extending long-time series, aswell as new elements and potentially new opportunities for discoveries. It will be boosted by collaboration andsynergies with NASA’s MAVEN, ESA-Roscosmos ExoMars-2016 Trace Gas Orbiter and other missions. The talkwill give the mission status, review the recent science highlights, and outline future plans

A multidimensional adapted process model of teaching

Abstract In the present study, we aimed to specify the key competence domains perceived to be critical for the teaching profession and depict them as a comprehensive teacher competence model. An expert panel that included representatives from seven units providing university-based initial teacher education in Finland carried out this process. To produce an active construction of a shared understanding and an interpretation of the discourse in the field, the experts reviewed literature on teaching. The resulting teacher competence model, the multidimensional adapted process model of teaching (MAP), represents a collective conception of the relevant empirical literature and prevailing discourses on teaching. The MAP is based on Blömeke et al.’s, Zeitschrift für Psychologie, 223, 3–13, (2015) model which distinguishes among teacher competences (referring to effective performance of teachers’ work), competencies (knowledge, skills, and other individual competencies underlying and enabling effective teaching), and situation-specific skills of perceiving, interpreting, and making decisions in situations involving teaching and learning. The implications of the MAP for teacher education and student selection for initial teacher education are discussed