Mars Science Laboratory Observations of the 2018/Mars Year 34 Global Dust Storm

[摘要] Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover observations of the 2018/Mars year 34 global/planet-encircling dust storm represent the first in situ measurements of a global dust storm with dedicated meteorological sensors since the Viking Landers. The Mars Science Laboratory team planned and executed a science campaign lasting approximately 100 Martian sols to study the storm involving an enhanced cadence of environmental monitoring using the rover's meteorological sensors, cameras, and spectrometers. Mast Camera 880-nanometer optical depth reached 8.5, and Rover Environmental Monitoring Station measurements indicated a 97 percent reduction in incident total ultraviolet solar radiation at the surface, 30 degrees Kelvin reduction in diurnal range of air temperature, and an increase in the semidiurnal pressure tide amplitude to 40 pascals. No active dust-lifting sites were detected within Gale Crater, and global and local atmospheric dynamics were drastically altered during the storm. This work presents an overview of the mission's storm observations and initial results.

[发布日期] 2019-01-05

[学科分类] 天文学(综合)

[关键词] MARS SCIENCE LABORATORY;ROVING VEHICLES;DUST STORMS;MARS (PLANET);MARS SURFACE;MARS ENVIRONMENT;ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING;OPTICAL THICKNESS;METEOROLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS;DIURNAL VARIATIONS;MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR;MARS MISSIONS;CAMERAS;SPECTROMETERS;ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION;VIKING LANDER SPACECRAFT