Summary
The climate system of Mars shares similar fundamental properties and also substantial difference with the Earth’s system. Due to its small thickness with a surface pressure ~0.6% that of the Earth, the Martian atmosphere has significant and dramatic diurnal cycles driven by solar forcing. Atmospheric tides, clouds and dust are coupled, and they dominate the daily climate on Mars. However, the diurnal cycles in the Martian atmosphere are poorly understood due to the lack of data. Yet, the partial observations previously obtained could not be well reproduced by atmospheric models. Here I propose a comprehensive investigation of the diurnal cycles on Mars using recently obtained observations and state-of-the-art numerical simulations. I will work with Dr. Francois Forget at Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique (LMD), taking advantages of the Mars General Circulation Model (GCM) developed and maintained in the host lab, and making the most collaborations with the science teams of two atmospheric sounders onboard Mars orbiters, TGO ACS/TIRVIM and EMM/EMIRS. Recent observations of the Martian atmosphere obtained by these two infrared spectrometers enable such diurnal cycle investigation for the first time thanks to their unprecedented spacecraft orbits. By combining the new data and the updated GCM, I will unveil and characterize the diurnal cycles in the Martian atmosphere, and understand the mechanisms in this coupled climate system. The results will have great scientific significance in understanding the climate of Mars, and have implications for future Mars mission planning. The proposal demonstrates the transfer of knowledge to the host institution LMD; the training of the candidate in research of Martian atmosphere and project management; and specific plans for dissemination and communication of the results. The project puts the candidate and host institution in good position to participate in future Mars missions, and reinforces the role of EU in Mars exploration.
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| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101064814 |
| Start date: | 01-12-2022 |
| End date: | 30-11-2024 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | - 195 914,00 Euro |
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Original description
The climate system of Mars shares similar fundamental properties and also substantial difference with the Earth’s system. Due to its small thickness with a surface pressure ~0.6% that of the Earth, the Martian atmosphere has significant and dramatic diurnal cycles driven by solar forcing. Atmospheric tides, clouds and dust are coupled, and they dominate the daily climate on Mars. However, the diurnal cycles in the Martian atmosphere are poorly understood due to the lack of data. Yet, the partial observations previously obtained could not be well reproduced by atmospheric models. Here I propose a comprehensive investigation of the diurnal cycles on Mars using recently obtained observations and state-of-the-art numerical simulations. I will work with Dr. Francois Forget at Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique (LMD), taking advantages of the Mars General Circulation Model (GCM) developed and maintained in the host lab, and making the most collaborations with the science teams of two atmospheric sounders onboard Mars orbiters, TGO ACS/TIRVIM and EMM/EMIRS. Recent observations of the Martian atmosphere obtained by these two infrared spectrometers enable such diurnal cycle investigation for the first time thanks to their unprecedented spacecraft orbits. By combining the new data and the updated GCM, I will unveil and characterize the diurnal cycles in the Martian atmosphere, and understand the mechanisms in this coupled climate system. The results will have great scientific significance in understanding the climate of Mars, and have implications for future Mars mission planning. The proposal demonstrates the transfer of knowledge to the host institution LMD; the training of the candidate in research of Martian atmosphere and project management; and specific plans for dissemination and communication of the results. The project puts the candidate and host institution in good position to participate in future Mars missions, and reinforces the role of EU in Mars exploration.Status
SIGNEDCall topic
HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01-01Update Date
09-02-2023
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