FastFind »   Lastname: doi:10.1029/ Year: Advanced Search  

AGU: Journal of Geophysical Research, Planets

 

Index Terms

  • Planetology: Solar System Objects: Mars
  • Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Orbital and rotational dynamics
  • Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Atmospheres—structure and dynamics
  • Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: General or miscellaneous
  • Planetology: Solar System Objects: Comparative planetology
Abstract
Cited By (5)
 

Abstract

Atmospheric rotational effects on Mars based on the NASA Ames general circulation model

Braulio V. Sanchez

Space Geodesy Branch, Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA

D. D. Rowlands

Space Geodesy Branch, Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA

Robert M. Haberle

Space Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA

James Schaeffer

Space Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA

Atmospheric rotational effects on Mars are computed and analyzed. Both axial (ΔLOD) and equatorial effects (polar motion) are evaluated. Surface values of stress and pressure from the NASA Ames general circulation model are used as inputs to compute the topographic, stress, and gravitational torques. Time series for the ice caps moments of inertia and the axial component of atmospheric angular momentum provide inputs for a separate computation of axial effects. Stress torque dominates the torque budget. This is different from the results obtained from Earth atmospheric models, in which pressure effects are paramount. Axial torque and ice caps yield annual and semiannual ΔLOD amplitudes of 0.747 and 0.121 ms, respectively. Torque-induced polar motion reaches a maximum of 16.26 mm in the second half of the Martian northern hemisphere winter. Changes in LOD using the angular momentum approach are 0.187 and 0.136 ms for the annual and semiannual harmonics. The expected precision of the planned NetLander Ionospheric and Geodesic Experiment (NEIGE) should detect the main harmonics in the ΔLOD time series. Annual and semiannual polar motion harmonics induced by atmospheric torque are below the level of NEIGE detectability.

Received 14 January 2003; accepted 30 January 2003; published 17 May 2003.

Citation: Sanchez, B. V., D. D. Rowlands, R. M. Haberle, and J. Schaeffer (2003), Atmospheric rotational effects on Mars based on the NASA Ames general circulation model, J. Geophys. Res., 108(E5), 5040, doi:10.1029/2002JE001984.

Cited By

Please wait one moment ...