Search Publications
Dynamics of Saturn's polar regions
Hueso, R.; Sánchez-Lavega, A.; Antuñano, A. +1 more
We analyze data retrieved by the imaging science system onboard the Cassini spacecraft to study the horizontal velocity and vorticity fields of Saturn's polar regions (latitudes 60-90°N in June-December 2013 and 60-90°S in October 2006 and July-December 2008), including the northern region where the hexagonal wave is prominent. With the aid of an …
Hot oxygen corona at Mars and the photochemical escape of oxygen: Improved description of the thermosphere, ionosphere, and exosphere
Bougher, Stephen W.; Combi, Michael R.; Tenishev, Valeriy +2 more
The Mars Adaptive Mesh Particle Simulator model is coupled with the Mars Global Ionosphere Thermosphere Model for the first time to provide an improved description of the Martian hot O corona based on our modeling studies of O2+ dissociative recombination. A total of 12 cases comprising three solar activity levels and four or…
Identification of Mars gully activity types associated with ice composition
Vincendon, Mathieu
The detection of geologically recent channels at the end of the twentieth century rapidly suggested that liquid water could have been present on Mars up to recent times. A mechanism involving melting of water ice during ice ages in the last several million years progressively emerged during years following the first observations of these gullies. …
Electron impact ionization in the Martian atmosphere: Interplay between scattering and crustal magnetic field effects
Lillis, Robert J.; Fang, Xiaohua
Precipitating electrons are typically the dominant source of energy input into Mars' nighttime upper atmosphere, with consequences for atmospheric and ionospheric structure, composition, chemistry, and electrodynamics. Mars' spatially heterogeneous crustal magnetic fields affect the fluxes of precipitating electrons, via both the magnetic mirror f…
Analysis of the radiative budget of the Venusian atmosphere based on infrared Net Exchange Rate formalism
Lebonnois, Sébastien; Eymet, Vincent; Vatant d'Ollone, Jan +1 more
A detailed one-dimensional analysis of the energy balance in Venus atmosphere is proposed in this work, based on the Net Exchange Rate formalism that allows the identification in each altitude region of the dominant energy exchanges controlling the temperature. Well-known parameters that control the temperature profile are the solar flux depositio…
Compositional provinces of Mars from statistical analyses of TES, GRS, OMEGA and CRISM data
Rogers, A. Deanne; Hamilton, Victoria E.
identified 10 distinct classes of mineral assemblage on Mars through statistical analyses of mineral abundances derived from Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) data at a spatial resolution of 8 pixels per degree. Two classes are new regions in Sinus Meridiani and northern Hellas basin. Except for crystalline hematite abundanc…
Recent (Late Amazonian) enhanced backweathering rates on Mars: Paracratering evidence from gully alcoves
Conway, Susan J.; de Haas, Tjalling; Krautblatter, Michael
Mars is believed to have been exposed to low planet-wide weathering and denudation since the Noachian. However, the widespread occurrence of alcoves at the rim of pristine impact craters suggests locally enhanced recent backweathering rates. Here we derive Late Amazonian backweathering rates from the alcoves of 10 young equatorial and midlatitude …
History of the clay-rich unit at Mawrth Vallis, Mars: High-resolution mapping of a candidate landing site
Mangold, N.; Bibring, J. -P.; Poulet, F. +4 more
The Mawrth Vallis region is covered by some of the largest phyllosilicate-rich outcrops on Mars, making it a unique window into the past history of Mars in terms of water alteration, potential habitability, and the search for past life. A landing ellipse had been proposed for the Curiosity rover. This area has been extensively observed by the High…
The geological history of Nili Patera, Mars
Fawdon, P.; Skok, J. R.; Balme, M. R. +3 more
Nili Patera is a 50 km diameter caldera at the center of the Syrtis Major Planum volcanic province. The caldera is unique among Martian volcanic terrains in hosting: (i) evidence of both effusive and explosive volcanism, (ii) hydrothermal silica, and (iii) compositional diversity from olivine-rich basalts to silica-enriched units. We have produced…
Geologic evolution of the eastern Eridania basin: Implications for aqueous processes in the southern highlands of Mars
Le Deit, Laetitia; Hauber, Ernst; Jaumann, Ralf +1 more
The Terra Sirenum region of Mars is thought to have hosted the Eridania paleolake during the Late Noachian/Early Hesperian, and it offers an insight into the regional aqueous history of Mars. We focus on four basins, including Atlantis, Simois, Caralis, and an unnamed basin. They are hypothesized to have hosted isolated lakes after the drainage of…