Dust devils on Earth and Mars
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In this paper, high-resolution numerical simulations and thermophysical scaling models successfully describe dust devil-like vortices on Mars, but fitting dust devil action into the Martian global dust cycle is still problematic.Abstract:
[1] Dust devils, particle-loaded vertical convective vortices found on both Earth and Mars, are characterized by high rotating wind speeds, significant electrostatic fields, and reduced pressure and enhanced temperature at their centers. On Earth they are subordinate to boundary layer winds in the dust cycle and, except possibly in arid regions, are only “nuisance-level” phenomena. On Mars, though, they seem to support the persistent background atmospheric haze, to influence the surface albedo through the formation of “tracks” on the surface, and to possibly endanger future exploration because of their high dust load and large potential gradients. High-resolution numerical simulations and thermophysical scaling models successfully describe dust devil–like vortices on Mars, but fitting dust devil action into the Martian global dust cycle is still problematic. Reliable parameterizations of their erosional abilities and solid temporal and spatial distribution data are still required to build and test a complete model of dust devil action.read more
Citations
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The physics of wind-blown sand and dust
TL;DR: The physics of aeolian saltation, the formation and development of sand dunes and ripples, the physics of dust aerosol emission, the weather phenomena that trigger dust storms, and the lifting of dust by dust devils and other small-scale vortices are reviewed.
Journal ArticleDOI
The physics of wind-blown sand and dust
TL;DR: In this article, an extensive review of the physics of wind-blown sand and dust on Earth and Mars is presented, including a review of aeolian saltation, the formation and development of sand dunes and ripples, dust aerosol emission, weather phenomena that trigger dust storms, and the lifting of dust by dust devils and other small-scale vortices.
Book
Atmospheric Evolution on Inhabited and Lifeless Worlds
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a survey of the current understanding of the atmospheric evolution and climate on Earth, on other rocky planets within our Solar System, and on planets far beyond.
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MOC observations of the 2001 Mars planet-encircling dust storm
TL;DR: The first Mars dust storm was initiated in the southern mid-to-low latitudes by a series of local dust storm pulses that developed along the seasonal cap edge in Malea and in Hellas basin this paper.
Journal ArticleDOI
Active dust devils in Gusev crater, Mars: Observations from the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit
Ronald Greeley,Patrick L. Whelley,Raymond E. Arvidson,Nathalie A. Cabrol,D. J. Foley,Brenda J. Franklin,Paul G. Geissler,Matthew P. Golombek,Ruslan O. Kuzmin,Geoffrey A. Landis,Mark T. Lemmon,Lynn D. V. Neakrase,Steven W. Squyres,S. D. Thompson +13 more
TL;DR: In this article, a full dust devil season was observed from Spirit from 10 March 2005 to 12 December 2005, corresponding to the period Ls 173.2° to 339.5°, or the southern spring and summer on Mars.
References
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