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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Keywords

  • Mars exosphere
  • density
  • atmospheric wave

Index Terms

  • Geodesy and Gravity: Satellite geodesy: results
  • Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Mars
  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Exosphere
  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Pressure, density, and temperature
  • Atmospheric Processes: Tides and planetary waves

Abstract

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 35, L09202, 5 PP., 2008
doi:10.1029/2008GL033388

Observation of atmospheric tides in the Martian exosphere using Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter radio tracking data

E. Mazarico

Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

M. T. Zuber

Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA

F. G. Lemoine

Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA

D. E. Smith

Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA

Based on the perturbations of the trajectory of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter due to atmospheric drag, we estimate, using Precision Orbit Determination, the density of the Martian exosphere near 250 km altitude with much better temporal (and therefore spatial) resolution than previously possible with this method. Small longitudinal density variations are observed to be consistent over long time periods. Although they appear fixed with respect to the planet, we interpret them as non-migrating tides because of the Sun-synchronous spacecraft orbit. Similar tides were observed previously by MGS at much lower altitude (∼125 km), and our results agree to first order with the MGS findings.

Received 28 January 2008; accepted 24 March 2008; published 7 May 2008.

Citation: Mazarico, E., M. T. Zuber, F. G. Lemoine, and D. E. Smith (2008), Observation of atmospheric tides in the Martian exosphere using Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter radio tracking data, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L09202, doi:10.1029/2008GL033388.

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