The study of planetary weather has always been a fascinating subject for scientists and researchers. Over the years, advancements in technology have led to significant breakthroughs in understanding the weather patterns of our neighboring planets, including Mars. One such breakthrough has been achieved through the monitoring of Martian surface ices using the Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer (EMIRS) instrument onboard the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM).
The Martian polar caps are known to be the main reservoirs of both H2O and CO2 ices on the planet’s surface. However, surface frost has also been observed to be formed during nighttime down to equatorial latitudes. The study conducted by Aur’elien Stcherbinine, Christopher S. Edwards, Michael D. Smith et al. explores the diurnal and seasonal evolution of these ices on Mars over almost one Martian year using data from EMIRS.
The EMIRS instrument is a Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer that observes the Martian surface and atmosphere between 6 and 100 μm. It provides a unique local time coverage that allows the observation of the apparition of equatorial CO2 frost in the second half of the Martian night around the equinoxes, to its sublimation at sunrise. The study also uses the surface temperature to detect and map the presence of CO2 frost at the surface of the planet, providing insights into the evolution of Martian weather patterns.
The study highlights the importance of monitoring the evolution of both the North Polar Cap (NPC) and South Polar Cap (SPC) on Mars. Previous observations of the seasonal growth and retreat of the polar caps have shown interannual variations. Hence, the monitoring of these caps is of interest to better understand the Martian climate and its variations.
The study also sheds light on the impact of daily cycles of CO2 frost on surface processes such as gullies or slope streaks formation. The presence of CO2 frost has been shown to have a significant impact on surface processes, making it a crucial factor in understanding the Martian weather patterns.
The study has several implications for future research on Martian weather patterns. Firstly, it highlights the importance of using advanced technologies such as EMIRS to monitor the diurnal and seasonal evolution of Martian surface ices. Secondly, it provides insights into the evolution of Martian weather patterns, which can help better understand the planet’s climate and its variations. Finally, it sheds light on the impact of CO2 frost on surface processes, making it a crucial factor in future research on Martian weather patterns.
The findings of this study have implications beyond the field of planetary science. The study of the relationship between pain and weather on Earth is another area that has seen significant progress in recent years. A recent study involving 13,207 users over a 12-month recruitment period found that higher relative humidity and wind speed, and lower atmospheric pressure, were associated with increased pain severity in people with long-term pain conditions. The study highlights the importance of studying the impact of weather patterns on human health.
The study conducted by Aur’elien Stcherbinine, Christopher S. Edwards, Michael D. Smith et al. using data from EMIRS has provided a breakthrough in understanding the weather patterns of Mars. The study highlights the importance of monitoring the diurnal and seasonal evolution of Martian surface ices, and sheds light on the impact of CO2 frost on surface processes. The findings have implications for future research on Martian weather patterns and have broader implications for the study of the impact of weather patterns on human health.
Source: Stcherbinine, A., Edwards, C.S., Smith, M.D., Wolff, M.J., Haberle, C.W., Tunaiji, E.A., Smith, N.M., Saboi, K., Anwar, S., Lange, L., & Christensen, P.R. (2023). Diurnal and Seasonal Mapping of Martian Ices with EMIRS. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2303.08328