First Atmospheric Science Results from the Mars Exploration Rovers Mini-TES

Science. 2004 Dec 3;306(5702):1750-3. doi: 10.1126/science.1104257.

Abstract

Thermal infrared spectra of the martian atmosphere taken by the Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES) were used to determine the atmospheric temperatures in the planetary boundary layer and the column-integrated optical depth of aerosols. Mini-TES observations show the diurnal variation of the martian boundary layer thermal structure, including a near-surface superadiabatic layer during the afternoon and an inversion layer at night. Upward-looking Mini-TES observations show warm and cool parcels of air moving through the Mini-TES field of view on a time scale of 30 seconds. The retrieved dust optical depth shows a downward trend at both sites.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Atmosphere
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Extraterrestrial Environment
  • Mars*
  • Seasons
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • Temperature
  • Water

Substances

  • Water
  • Carbon Dioxide