Mars' south polar Ar enhancement: a tracer for south polar seasonal meridional mixing

Science. 2004 Nov 19;306(5700):1364-7. doi: 10.1126/science.1098496. Epub 2004 Oct 7.

Abstract

The gamma ray spectrometer on the Mars Odyssey spacecraft measured an enhancement of atmospheric argon over southern high latitudes during autumn followed by dissipation during winter and spring. Argon does not freeze at temperatures normal for southern winter (approximately 145 kelvin) and is left in the atmosphere, enriched relative to carbon dioxide (CO2), as the southern seasonal cap of CO2 frost accumulates. Calculations of seasonal transport of argon into and out of southern high latitudes point to meridional (north-south) mixing throughout southern winter and spring.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Argon*
  • Atmosphere
  • Carbon Dioxide*
  • Dry Ice*
  • Extraterrestrial Environment
  • Mars*
  • Mathematics
  • Seasons
  • Spectrometry, Gamma
  • Sunlight
  • Temperature
  • Weather

Substances

  • Dry Ice
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Argon