1
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Murdoch N, Stott AE, Gillier M, Hueso R, Lemmon M, Martinez G, Apéstigue V, Toledo D, Lorenz RD, Chide B, Munguira A, Sánchez-Lavega A, Vicente-Retortillo A, Newman CE, Maurice S, de la Torre Juárez M, Bertrand T, Banfield D, Navarro S, Marin M, Torres J, Gomez-Elvira J, Jacob X, Cadu A, Sournac A, Rodriguez-Manfredi JA, Wiens RC, Mimoun D. The sound of a Martian dust devil. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7505. [PMID: 36513637 PMCID: PMC9747922 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35100-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Dust devils (convective vortices loaded with dust) are common at the surface of Mars, particularly at Jezero crater, the landing site of the Perseverance rover. They are indicators of atmospheric turbulence and are an important lifting mechanism for the Martian dust cycle. Improving our understanding of dust lifting and atmospheric transport is key for accurate simulation of the dust cycle and for the prediction of dust storms, in addition to being important for future space exploration as grain impacts are implicated in the degradation of hardware on the surface of Mars. Here we describe the sound of a Martian dust devil as recorded by the SuperCam instrument on the Perseverance rover. The dust devil encounter was also simultaneously imaged by the Perseverance rover's Navigation Camera and observed by several sensors in the Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer instrument. Combining these unique multi-sensorial data with modelling, we show that the dust devil was around 25 m large, at least 118 m tall, and passed directly over the rover travelling at approximately 5 m s-1. Acoustic signals of grain impacts recorded during the vortex encounter provide quantitative information about the number density of particles in the vortex. The sound of a Martian dust devil was inaccessible until SuperCam microphone recordings. This chance dust devil encounter demonstrates the potential of acoustic data for resolving the rapid wind structure of the Martian atmosphere and for directly quantifying wind-blown grain fluxes on Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Murdoch
- grid.508721.9Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE-SUPAERO), Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - A. E. Stott
- grid.508721.9Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE-SUPAERO), Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - M. Gillier
- grid.508721.9Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE-SUPAERO), Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - R. Hueso
- grid.11480.3c0000000121671098Física Aplicada, Escuela de Ingeniería de Bilbao, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | - M. Lemmon
- grid.296797.40000 0004 6023 5450Space Science Institute, Boulder, CO 80301 USA
| | - G. Martinez
- grid.410493.b0000 0000 8634 1877Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association, Houston, TX USA ,grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - V. Apéstigue
- grid.15312.340000 0004 1794 1528Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Madrid, Spain
| | - D. Toledo
- grid.15312.340000 0004 1794 1528Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Madrid, Spain
| | - R. D. Lorenz
- grid.474430.00000 0004 0630 1170Space Exploration Sector, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD USA
| | - B. Chide
- grid.148313.c0000 0004 0428 3079Space and Planetary Exploration Team, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | - A. Munguira
- grid.11480.3c0000000121671098Física Aplicada, Escuela de Ingeniería de Bilbao, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | - A. Sánchez-Lavega
- grid.11480.3c0000000121671098Física Aplicada, Escuela de Ingeniería de Bilbao, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | | | | | - S. Maurice
- grid.15781.3a0000 0001 0723 035XInstitut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, CNRS, CNES, Toulouse, France
| | - M. de la Torre Juárez
- grid.20861.3d0000000107068890Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA USA
| | - T. Bertrand
- grid.482824.00000 0004 0370 8434Laboratoire d’Etudes Spatiales et d’Instrumentation en Astrophysique (LESIA), Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Univ. Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 5 place Jules Janssen, 92195 Meudon, France
| | - D. Banfield
- grid.5386.8000000041936877XCornell University, Ithaca, NY USA ,grid.419075.e0000 0001 1955 7990NASA AMES Research Center, Moffett Field, CA USA
| | - S. Navarro
- grid.462011.00000 0001 2199 0769Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Marin
- grid.462011.00000 0001 2199 0769Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - J. Torres
- grid.462011.00000 0001 2199 0769Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - J. Gomez-Elvira
- grid.15312.340000 0004 1794 1528Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Madrid, Spain
| | - X. Jacob
- grid.15781.3a0000 0001 0723 035XInstitut de Mécanique des Fluides, Université de Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, INP, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - A. Cadu
- grid.508721.9Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE-SUPAERO), Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - A. Sournac
- grid.508721.9Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE-SUPAERO), Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | | | - R. C. Wiens
- grid.169077.e0000 0004 1937 2197Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - D. Mimoun
- grid.508721.9Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE-SUPAERO), Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
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2
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Lemmon MT, Lorenz RD, Rabinovitch J, Newman CE, Williams NR, Sullivan R, Golombek MP, Bell JF, Maki JN, Vicente‐Retortillo A. Lifting and Transport of Martian Dust by the Ingenuity Helicopter Rotor Downwash as Observed by High-Speed Imaging From the Perseverance Rover. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. PLANETS 2022; 127:e2022JE007605. [PMID: 37033154 PMCID: PMC10078181 DOI: 10.1029/2022je007605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Martian atmospheric dust is a major driver of weather, with feedback between atmospheric dust distribution, circulation changes from radiative heating and cooling driven by this dust, and winds that mobilize surface dust and distribute it in the atmosphere. Wind-driven mobilization of surface dust is a poorly understood process due to significant uncertainty about minimum wind stress and whether the saltation of sand particles is required. This study utilizes video of six Ingenuity helicopter flights to measure dust lifting during helicopter ascents, traverses, and descents. Dust mobilization persisted on takeoff until the helicopter exceeded 3 m altitude, with dust advecting at 4-6 m/s. During landing, dust mobilization initiated at 2.3-3.6 m altitude. Extensive dust mobilization occurred during traverses at 5.1-5.7 m altitude. Dust mobilization threshold friction velocity of rotor-induced winds during landing is modeled at 0.4-0.6 m/s (factor of two uncertainty in this estimate), with higher winds required when the helicopter was over undisturbed terrain. Modeling dust mobilization from >5 m cruising altitude indicates mobilization by 0.3 m/s winds, suggesting nonsaltation mechanisms such as mobilization and destruction of dust aggregates. No dependence on background winds was seen for the initiation of dust lifting but one case of takeoff in 7 m/s winds created a track of darkened terrain downwind of the helicopter, which may have been a saltation cluster. When the helicopter was cruising at 5-6 m altitude, recirculation was seen in the dust clouds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - N. R. Williams
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | | | - M. P. Golombek
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | | | - J. N. Maki
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
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3
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Newman CE, Hueso R, Lemmon MT, Munguira A, Vicente-Retortillo Á, Apestigue V, Martínez GM, Toledo D, Sullivan R, Herkenhoff KE, de la Torre Juárez M, Richardson MI, Stott AE, Murdoch N, Sanchez-Lavega A, Wolff MJ, Arruego I, Sebastián E, Navarro S, Gómez-Elvira J, Tamppari L, Viúdez-Moreiras D, Harri AM, Genzer M, Hieta M, Lorenz RD, Conrad P, Gómez F, McConnochie TH, Mimoun D, Tate C, Bertrand T, Bell JF, Maki JN, Rodriguez-Manfredi JA, Wiens RC, Chide B, Maurice S, Zorzano MP, Mora L, Baker MM, Banfield D, Pla-Garcia J, Beyssac O, Brown A, Clark B, Lepinette A, Montmessin F, Fischer E, Patel P, del Río-Gaztelurrutia T, Fouchet T, Francis R, Guzewich SD. The dynamic atmospheric and aeolian environment of Jezero crater, Mars. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn3783. [PMID: 35613267 PMCID: PMC9132482 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn3783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite the importance of sand and dust to Mars geomorphology, weather, and exploration, the processes that move sand and that raise dust to maintain Mars' ubiquitous dust haze and to produce dust storms have not been well quantified in situ, with missions lacking either the necessary sensors or a sufficiently active aeolian environment. Perseverance rover's novel environmental sensors and Jezero crater's dusty environment remedy this. In Perseverance's first 216 sols, four convective vortices raised dust locally, while, on average, four passed the rover daily, over 25% of which were significantly dusty ("dust devils"). More rarely, dust lifting by nonvortex wind gusts was produced by daytime convection cells advected over the crater by strong regional daytime upslope winds, which also control aeolian surface features. One such event covered 10 times more area than the largest dust devil, suggesting that dust devils and wind gusts could raise equal amounts of dust under nonstorm conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Germán M. Martínez
- Lunar and Planetary Institute, USRA, Houston, TX, USA
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Naomi Murdoch
- ISAE-SUPAERO, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Leslie Tamppari
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory–California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Maria Genzer
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maria Hieta
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Pan Conrad
- Carnegie Institution for Science, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | - David Mimoun
- ISAE-SUPAERO, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | | | - Justin N. Maki
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory–California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | - Roger C. Wiens
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
- Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | | | | | | | - Luis Mora
- Centro de Astrobiologia, INTA, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariah M. Baker
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Don Banfield
- Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- NASA Ames, Mountain View, CA, USA
| | - Jorge Pla-Garcia
- Space Science Institute, Boulder, CO, USA
- Centro de Astrobiologia, INTA, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Ben Clark
- Space Science Institute, Boulder, CO, USA
| | | | | | | | - Priyaben Patel
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory–California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- UCL, London, UK
| | | | | | - Raymond Francis
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory–California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
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4
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Pohly JA, Kang CK, Landrum DB, Bluman JE, Aono H. Data-driven CFD Scaling of Bioinspired Mars Flight Vehicles for Hover. ACTA ASTRONAUTICA 2021; 180:545-559. [PMID: 35001985 PMCID: PMC8739330 DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
One way to improve our model of Mars is through aerial sampling and surveillance, which could provide information to augment the observations made by ground-based exploration and satellite imagery. Flight in the challenging ultra-low-density Martian environment can be achieved with properly scaled bioinspired flapping wing vehicle configurations that utilize the same high lift producing mechanisms that are employed by insects on Earth. Through dynamic scaling of wings and kinematics, we investigate the ability to generate solutions for a broad range of flapping wing flight vehicles masses ranging from insects O(10-3) kg to the Mars helicopter Ingenuity O(100) kg. A scaling method based on a neural-network trained on 3D Navier-Stokes solutions is proposed to determine approximate wing size and kinematic values that generate bioinspired hover solutions. We demonstrate that a family of solutions exists for designs that range from 1 to 1000 grams, which are verified and examined using a 3D Navier-Stokes solver. Our results reveal that unsteady lift enhancement mechanisms, such as delayed stall and rotational lift, are present in the bioinspired solutions for the scaled vehicles hovering in Martian conditions. These hovering vehicles exhibit payloads of up to 1 kg and flight times on the order of 100 minutes when considering the respective limiting cases of the vehicle mass being comprised entirely of payload or entirely of a battery and neglecting any transmission inefficiencies. This method can help to develop a range of Martian flying vehicle designs with mission viable payloads, range, and endurance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy A Pohly
- University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899
| | | | | | | | - Hikaru Aono
- Shinshu University, Tokida, Ueda, Nagano, Japan
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5
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Silvestro S, Pacifici A, Salese F, Vaz D, Neesemann A, Tirsch D, Popa C, Pajola M, Franzese G, Mongelluzzo G, Ruggeri A, Cozzolino F, Porto C, Esposito F. Periodic Bedrock Ridges at the ExoMars 2022 Landing Site: Evidence for a Changing Wind Regime. GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS 2021; 48:e2020GL091651. [PMID: 33776161 PMCID: PMC7988568 DOI: 10.1029/2020gl091651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Wind-formed features are abundant in Oxia Planum (Mars), the landing site of the 2022 ExoMars mission, which shows geological evidence for a past wet environment. Studies of aeolian bedforms at the landing site were focused on assessing the risk for rover trafficability, however their potential in recording climatic fluctuations has not been explored. Here we show that the landing site experienced multiple climatic changes in the Amazonian, which are recorded by an intriguing set of ridges that we interpret as Periodic Bedrock Ridges (PBRs). Clues for a PBR origin result from ridge regularity, defect terminations, and the presence of preserved megaripples detaching from the PBRs. PBR orientation differs from superimposed transverse aeolian ridges pointing toward a major change in wind regime. Our results provide constrains on PBR formation mechanisms and offer indications on paleo winds that will be crucial for understanding the landing site geology.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Silvestro
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF)Osservatorio Astronomico di CapodimonteNapoliItaly
- Carl Sagan CenterSETI InstituteMountain ViewCAUSA
| | - A. Pacifici
- International Research School of Planetary SciencesUniversità Gabriele D'AnnunzioPescaraItaly
| | - F. Salese
- International Research School of Planetary SciencesUniversità Gabriele D'AnnunzioPescaraItaly
- Centro de AstrobiologíaCSIC‐INTAMadridSpain
| | - D.A. Vaz
- Centre for Earth and Space Research of the University of CoimbraObservatório Geofísico e Astronómico da Universidade de CoimbraCoimbraPortugal
| | | | - D. Tirsch
- German Aerospace Center (DLR)Institute of Planetary ResearchBerlinGermany
| | - C.I. Popa
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF)Osservatorio Astronomico di CapodimonteNapoliItaly
| | - M. Pajola
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF)Osservatorio Astronomico di PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - G. Franzese
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF)Osservatorio Astronomico di CapodimonteNapoliItaly
| | - G. Mongelluzzo
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF)Osservatorio Astronomico di CapodimonteNapoliItaly
- Department of Industrial EngineeringUniversità di Napoli “Federico II”NapoliItaly
| | - A.C. Ruggeri
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF)Osservatorio Astronomico di CapodimonteNapoliItaly
| | - F. Cozzolino
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF)Osservatorio Astronomico di CapodimonteNapoliItaly
| | - C. Porto
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF)Osservatorio Astronomico di CapodimonteNapoliItaly
| | - F. Esposito
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF)Osservatorio Astronomico di CapodimonteNapoliItaly
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6
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Newman CE, de la Torre Juárez M, Pla-García J, Wilson RJ, Lewis SR, Neary L, Kahre MA, Forget F, Spiga A, Richardson MI, Daerden F, Bertrand T, Viúdez-Moreiras D, Sullivan R, Sánchez-Lavega A, Chide B, Rodriguez-Manfredi JA. Multi-model Meteorological and Aeolian Predictions for Mars 2020 and the Jezero Crater Region. SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS 2021; 217:20. [PMID: 33583960 PMCID: PMC7868679 DOI: 10.1007/s11214-020-00788-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Nine simulations are used to predict the meteorology and aeolian activity of the Mars 2020 landing site region. Predicted seasonal variations of pressure and surface and atmospheric temperature generally agree. Minimum and maximum pressure is predicted at Ls ∼ 145 ∘ and 250 ∘ , respectively. Maximum and minimum surface and atmospheric temperature are predicted at Ls ∼ 180 ∘ and 270 ∘ , respectively; i.e., are warmest at northern fall equinox not summer solstice. Daily pressure cycles vary more between simulations, possibly due to differences in atmospheric dust distributions. Jezero crater sits inside and close to the NW rim of the huge Isidis basin, whose daytime upslope (∼east-southeasterly) and nighttime downslope (∼northwesterly) winds are predicted to dominate except around summer solstice, when the global circulation produces more southerly wind directions. Wind predictions vary hugely, with annual maximum speeds varying from 11 to 19 ms - 1 and daily mean wind speeds peaking in the first half of summer for most simulations but in the second half of the year for two. Most simulations predict net annual sand transport toward the WNW, which is generally consistent with aeolian observations, and peak sand fluxes in the first half of summer, with the weakest fluxes around winter solstice due to opposition between the global circulation and daytime upslope winds. However, one simulation predicts transport toward the NW, while another predicts fluxes peaking later and transport toward the WSW. Vortex activity is predicted to peak in summer and dip around winter solstice, and to be greater than at InSight and much greater than in Gale crater. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11214-020-00788-2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M. de la Torre Juárez
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91001 USA
| | - J. Pla-García
- Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), 28850 Madrid, Spain
- Space Science Institute, Boulder, CO 80301 USA
| | | | | | - L. Neary
- Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - F. Forget
- Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique/Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (LMD/IPSL), Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), École Polytechnique, École Normale Supérieure (ENS), 75005 Paris, France
| | - A. Spiga
- Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique/Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (LMD/IPSL), Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), École Polytechnique, École Normale Supérieure (ENS), 75005 Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, 75005 Paris, France
| | | | - F. Daerden
- Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, Brussels, Belgium
| | - T. Bertrand
- Ames Research Center, Mountain View, CA USA
- LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 92195 Meudon, France
| | | | - R. Sullivan
- Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | | | - B. Chide
- Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE), Toulouse, France
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7
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Domínguez-Pumar M, Kowalski L, Jiménez V, Rodríguez I, Soria M, Bermejo S, Pons-Nin J. Analyzing the Performance of a Miniature 3D Wind Sensor for Mars. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20205912. [PMID: 33092016 PMCID: PMC7589199 DOI: 10.3390/s20205912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
This paper analyzes the behavior of a miniature 3D wind sensor designed for Mars atmosphere. The sensor is a spherical structure of 10 mm diameter divided in four sectors. By setting all the sectors to constant temperature, above that of the air, the 3D wind velocity vector can be measured. Two sets of experiments have been performed. First, an experimental campaign made under typical Mars conditions at the Aarhus Wind Tunnel Simulator is presented. The results demonstrate that both wind speed and angle can be efficiently measured, using a simple inverse algorithm. The effect of sudden wind changes is also analyzed and fast response times in the range of 0.7 s are obtained. The second set of experiments is focused on analyzing the performance of the sensor under extreme Martian wind conditions, reaching and going beyond the Dust Devil scale. To this purpose, both high-fidelity numerical simulations of fluid dynamics and heat transfer and experiments with the sensor have been performed. The results of the experiments, made for winds in the Reynolds number 1000–2000 range, which represent 65–130 m/s of wind speed under typical Mars conditions, further confirm the simulation predictions and show that it will be possible to successfully measure wind speed and direction even under these extreme regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Domínguez-Pumar
- Micro and Nano Technologies Group, Electronic Engineering Department, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (L.K.); (V.J.); (S.B.); (J.P.-N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-93-401-5679
| | - Lukasz Kowalski
- Micro and Nano Technologies Group, Electronic Engineering Department, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (L.K.); (V.J.); (S.B.); (J.P.-N.)
| | - Vicente Jiménez
- Micro and Nano Technologies Group, Electronic Engineering Department, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (L.K.); (V.J.); (S.B.); (J.P.-N.)
| | - Ivette Rodríguez
- Turbulence and Aerodynamics in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Research Group, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08222 Terrassa, Spain; (I.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Manel Soria
- Turbulence and Aerodynamics in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Research Group, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08222 Terrassa, Spain; (I.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Sandra Bermejo
- Micro and Nano Technologies Group, Electronic Engineering Department, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (L.K.); (V.J.); (S.B.); (J.P.-N.)
| | - Joan Pons-Nin
- Micro and Nano Technologies Group, Electronic Engineering Department, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (L.K.); (V.J.); (S.B.); (J.P.-N.)
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8
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McCain JL, Pohly JA, Sridhar MK, Kang CK, Landrum DB, Aono H. Experimental Force and Deformation Measurements of Bioinspired Flapping Wings in Ultra-Low Martian Density Environment. APPLIED AERODYNAMICS : PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE AIAA SCITECH FORUM AND EXPOSITION 2020 : ORLANDO, FLORIDA, USA, 6-10 JANUARY 2020. AIAA SCITECH FORUM AND EXPOSITION (2020 : ORLANDO, FLA.) 2020; 2020:10.2514/6.2020-2003. [PMID: 35072172 PMCID: PMC8780936 DOI: 10.2514/6.2020-2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A Mars flight vehicle could provide a third-dimension for ground-based rovers and supplement orbital observation stations, providing a much more detailed aerial view of the landscape as well as unprecedented survey of the atmosphere of Mars. However, flight on Mars is a difficult proposition due to the very low atmospheric density, which is approximately 1.3% of sea level density on Earth. While traditional aircraft efficiency suffers in the low Reynolds number environment, insect inspired flapping wing flyers on Mars might be able to take advantage of the same lift enhancing effects as insects on Earth. The present work investigates the feasibility of using a bioinspired, flapping wing flight vehicle to produce lift in an ultra-low-density Martian atmosphere. A four-wing prototype, inspired by a prior computational study, was placed in an atmospheric chamber to simulate Martian density. Lift and wing deformation were simultaneously recorded. In Earth density conditions, the passive pitch wing deflection increased monotonically with flapping frequency. On the other hand, in the Martian density environment, the passive pitch deflection angles were very erratic. The measured lift peaked at around 8 grams at 16 Hz. These measurements suggest that sufficient aerodynamic forces for hover on Mars can be generated for a 6-gram flapping wing vehicle. Also, the performance can potentially be improved by better understanding the fluid-structure interaction in ultra-low Mars density condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse L McCain
- The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama, 35899, USA
| | - Jeremy A Pohly
- The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama, 35899, USA
| | - Madhu K Sridhar
- The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama, 35899, USA
| | - Chang-Kwon Kang
- The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama, 35899, USA
| | - D Brian Landrum
- The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama, 35899, USA
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9
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Dunne H, Palma GE, Pohly J, Mesmer BL, Landrum B, Kang CK. System Analyzer for a Bioinspired Mars Flight Vehicle System for Varying Mission Contexts. APPLIED AERODYNAMICS : PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE AIAA SCITECH FORUM AND EXPOSITION 2020 : ORLANDO, FLORIDA, USA, 6-10 JANUARY 2020. AIAA SCITECH FORUM AND EXPOSITION (2020 : ORLANDO, FLA.) 2020; 2020:10.2514/6.2020-0665. [PMID: 35072173 PMCID: PMC8780952 DOI: 10.2514/6.2020-0665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Marsbee is a novel bioinspired flapping flight vehicle concept for aerial Mars exploration. The Marsbee design addresses the challenges of flying on Mars by mimicking the unsteady lift generation mechanisms seen in terrestrial insects To enable the comparison of the Marsbee system to other flying Mars exploration concepts, a study was performed that employs a Multidisciplinary Design Optimization architecture to analyze and optimize the Marsbee system to suit a wide variety of missions. This study developed an analyzer for a Multidisciplinary Design Feasible (MDF) architecture, as well as explored the design space and attributes necessary in an objective function for Mars flying system missions. The analyzer is based on physical models developed in previous studies. Its functionality was demonstrated by analyzing 100,000 randomly generated designs, with design variables close to a prototype Marsbee tested in Martian density conditions. These results show that by using flexible wings rather than rigid wings the maximum flight times increased from 53 minutes to 114 minutes, and the maximum payload masses increased from 28 grams to 61 grams. These are competing effects and cannot be maximized simultaneously. The results of this study will be used to determine the optimal Marsbee system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter Dunne
- Graduate Student, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department, AIAA Student Member
| | - Giulia E Palma
- Graduate Student, Industrial & Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, AIAA Student Member
| | - Jeremy Pohly
- Graduate Student, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department, AIAA Student Member
| | - Bryan L Mesmer
- Assistant Professor, Industrial & Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, AIAA Member
| | - Brian Landrum
- Associate Chair, Associate Professor, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department, AIAA Associate Fellow
| | - Chang-Kwon Kang
- Assistant Professor, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering-Department, AIAA Senior Member
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10
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Bluman JE, Pohly JA, Sridhar MK, Kang CK, Landrum DB, Fahimi F, Aono H. Achieving bioinspired flapping wing hovering flight solutions on Mars via wing scaling. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2018; 13:046010. [PMID: 29809163 PMCID: PMC8742909 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/aac876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Achieving atmospheric flight on Mars is challenging due to the low density of the Martian atmosphere. Aerodynamic forces are proportional to the atmospheric density, which limits the use of conventional aircraft designs on Mars. Here, we show using numerical simulations that a flapping wing robot can fly on Mars via bioinspired dynamic scaling. Trimmed, hovering flight is possible in a simulated Martian environment when dynamic similarity with insects on earth is achieved by preserving the relevant dimensionless parameters while scaling up the wings three to four times its normal size. The analysis is performed using a well-validated 2D Navier-Stokes equation solver, coupled to a 3D flight dynamics model to simulate free flight. The majority of power required is due to the inertia of the wing because of the ultra-low density. The inertial flap power can be substantially reduced through the use of a torsional spring. The minimum total power consumption is 188 W kg-1 when the torsional spring is driven at its natural frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Bluman
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, United States of America
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11
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Telfer MW, Parteli EJR, Radebaugh J, Beyer RA, Bertrand T, Forget F, Nimmo F, Grundy WM, Moore JM, Stern SA, Spencer J, Lauer TR, Earle AM, Binzel RP, Weaver HA, Olkin CB, Young LA, Ennico K, Runyon K, Buie M, Buratti B, Cheng A, Kavelaars JJ, Linscott I, McKinnon WB, Reitsema H, Reuter D, Schenk P, Showalter M, Tyler L. Dunes on Pluto. Science 2018; 360:992-997. [PMID: 29853681 DOI: 10.1126/science.aao2975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The surface of Pluto is more geologically diverse and dynamic than had been expected, but the role of its tenuous atmosphere in shaping the landscape remains unclear. We describe observations from the New Horizons spacecraft of regularly spaced, linear ridges whose morphology, distribution, and orientation are consistent with being transverse dunes. These are located close to mountainous regions and are orthogonal to nearby wind streaks. We demonstrate that the wavelength of the dunes (~0.4 to 1 kilometer) is best explained by the deposition of sand-sized (~200 to ~300 micrometer) particles of methane ice in moderate winds (<10 meters per second). The undisturbed morphology of the dunes, and relationships with the underlying convective glacial ice, imply that the dunes have formed in the very recent geological past.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt W Telfer
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK.
| | - Eric J R Parteli
- Department of Geosciences, University of Cologne, Pohligstraße 3, 50969 Cologne, Germany
| | - Jani Radebaugh
- Department of Geological Sciences, College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Ross A Beyer
- Sagan Center at the SETI Institute, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.,NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Tanguy Bertrand
- Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - François Forget
- Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Francis Nimmo
- University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Tod R Lauer
- National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Tucson, AZ 85726, USA
| | - Alissa M Earle
- Department of Earth, Atmosphere, and Planetary Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Richard P Binzel
- Department of Earth, Atmosphere, and Planetary Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Hal A Weaver
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - Cathy B Olkin
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Kirby Runyon
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
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12
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Threshold for sand mobility on Mars calibrated from seasonal variations of sand flux. Nat Commun 2014; 5:5096. [PMID: 25268931 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Coupling between surface winds and saltation is a fundamental factor governing geological activity and climate on Mars. Saltation of sand is crucial for both erosion of the surface and dust lifting into the atmosphere. Wind tunnel experiments along with measurements from surface meteorology stations and modelling of wind speeds suggest that winds should only rarely move sand on Mars. However, evidence for currently active dune migration has recently accumulated. Crucially, the frequency of sand-moving events and the implied threshold wind stresses for saltation have remained unknown. Here we present detailed measurements of Nili Patera dune field based on High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment images, demonstrating that sand motion occurs daily throughout much of the year and that the resulting sand flux is strongly seasonal. Analysis of the seasonal sand flux variation suggests an effective threshold for sand motion for application to large-scale model wind fields (1-100 km scale) of τ(s)=0.01±0.0015 N m(-2).
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Huang H, Bo T, Zheng X. Numerical modeling of wind-blown sand on Mars. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2014; 37:36. [PMID: 25236498 DOI: 10.1140/epje/i2014-14080-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Revised: 03/02/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Recent observation results show that sand ripples and dunes are movable like those on Earth under current Martian climate. And the aeolian process on Mars therefore is re-attracting the eyes of scientific researchers in different fields. In this paper, the spatial and temporal evolution of wind-blown sand on Mars is simulated by the large-eddy simulation method. The simulations are conducted under the conditions of both friction wind speed higher and lower than the "fluid threshold", respectively. The fluid entrainment of the sand particles, the processes among saltation sand particles and sand bed, and the negative feedback of sand movement to flow field are considered. Our results show that the "overshoot" phenomenon also exists in the evolution of wind-blown sand on Mars both temporally and spatially; impact entrainment affects the sand transport rate on Mars when the wind speed is smaller or larger than the fluid threshold; and both the average saltation length and height are one order of magnitudes larger than those on Earth. Eventually, the formulas describing the sand transport rate, average saltation length and height on Mars are given, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- HaoJie Huang
- Key Laboratory of Mechanics on Environment and Disaster in Western China, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, 730000, Lanzhou, China
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14
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Pähtz T, Kok JF, Parteli EJR, Herrmann HJ. Flux saturation length of sediment transport. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2013; 111:218002. [PMID: 24313529 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.111.218002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Sediment transport along the surface drives geophysical phenomena as diverse as wind erosion and dune formation. The main length scale controlling the dynamics of sediment erosion and deposition is the saturation length Ls, which characterizes the flux response to a change in transport conditions. Here we derive, for the first time, an expression predicting Ls as a function of the average sediment velocity under different physical environments. Our expression accounts for both the characteristics of sediment entrainment and the saturation of particle and fluid velocities, and has only two physical parameters which can be estimated directly from independent experiments. We show that our expression is consistent with measurements of Ls in both aeolian and subaqueous transport regimes over at least 5 orders of magnitude in the ratio of fluid and particle density, including on Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Pähtz
- Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, China and State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, 310012 Hangzhou, China
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15
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Kok JF, Parteli EJR, Michaels TI, Karam DB. The physics of wind-blown sand and dust. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2012; 75:106901. [PMID: 22982806 DOI: 10.1088/0034-4885/75/10/106901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The transport of sand and dust by wind is a potent erosional force, creates sand dunes and ripples, and loads the atmosphere with suspended dust aerosols. This paper presents an extensive review of the physics of wind-blown sand and dust on Earth and Mars. Specifically, we review 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. We also discuss the physics of wind-blown sand and dune formation on Venus and Titan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper F Kok
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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16
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Holstein-Rathlou C, Gunnlaugsson HP, Merrison JP, Bean KM, Cantor BA, Davis JA, Davy R, Drake NB, Ellehoj MD, Goetz W, Hviid SF, Lange CF, Larsen SE, Lemmon MT, Madsen MB, Malin M, Moores JE, Nørnberg P, Smith P, Tamppari LK, Taylor PA. Winds at the Phoenix landing site. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1029/2009je003411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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17
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Ellehoj MD, Gunnlaugsson HP, Taylor PA, Kahanpää H, Bean KM, Cantor BA, Gheynani BT, Drube L, Fisher D, Harri AM, Holstein-Rathlou C, Lemmon MT, Madsen MB, Malin MC, Polkko J, Smith PH, Tamppari LK, Weng W, Whiteway J. Convective vortices and dust devils at the Phoenix Mars mission landing site. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1029/2009je003413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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18
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Kok JF. Difference in the wind speeds required for initiation versus continuation of sand transport on mars: implications for dunes and dust storms. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2010; 104:074502. [PMID: 20366891 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.104.074502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2009] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Much of the surface of Mars is covered by dunes, ripples, and other features formed by the blowing of sand by wind, known as saltation. In addition, saltation loads the atmosphere with dust aerosols, which dominate the Martian climate. We show here that saltation can be maintained on Mars by wind speeds an order of magnitude less than required to initiate it. We further show that this hysteresis effect causes saltation to occur for much lower wind speeds than previously thought. These findings have important implications for the formation of dust storms, sand dunes, and ripples on Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper F Kok
- Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
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Gunnlaugsson HP, Holstein-Rathlou C, Merrison JP, Knak Jensen S, Lange CF, Larsen SE, Madsen MB, Nørnberg P, Bechtold H, Hald E, Iversen JJ, Lange P, Lykkegaard F, Rander F, Lemmon M, Renno N, Taylor P, Smith P. Telltale wind indicator for the Mars Phoenix lander. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1029/2007je003008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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20
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Abstract
Saltation, the motion of sand grains in a sequence of ballistic trajectories close to the ground, is a major factor for surface erosion, dune formation, and triggering of dust storms on Mars. Although this mode of sand transport has been matter of research for decades through both simulations and wind tunnel experiments under Earth and Mars conditions, it has not been possible to provide accurate measurements of particle trajectories in fully developed turbulent flow. Here we calculate the motion of saltating grains by directly solving the turbulent wind field and its interaction with the particles. Our calculations show that the minimal wind velocity required to sustain saltation on Mars may be surprisingly lower than the aerodynamic minimal threshold measurable in wind tunnels. Indeed, Mars grains saltate in 100 times higher and longer trajectories and reach 5-10 times higher velocities than Earth grains do. On the basis of our results, we arrive at general expressions that can be applied to calculate the length and height of saltation trajectories and the flux of grains in saltation under various physical conditions, when the wind velocity is close to the minimal threshold for saltation.
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21
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Heavens NG, Richardson MI, Toigo AD. Two aerodynamic roughness maps derived from Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data and their effects on boundary layer properties in a Mars general circulation model (GCM). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1029/2007je002991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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22
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Parteli EJR, Herrmann HJ. Dune formation on the present Mars. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2007; 76:041307. [PMID: 17994981 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.76.041307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2007] [Revised: 08/09/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We apply a model for sand dunes to calculate formation of dunes on Mars under the present Martian atmospheric conditions. We find that different dune shapes as those imaged by Mars Global Surveyor could have been formed by the action of sand-moving winds occurring on today's Mars. Our calculations show, however, that Martian dunes could be only formed due to the higher efficiency of Martian winds in carrying grains into saltation. The model equations are solved to study saltation transport under different atmospheric conditions valid for Mars. We obtain an estimate for the wind speed and migration velocity of barchan dunes at different places on Mars. From comparison with the shape of bimodal sand dunes, we find an estimate for the time scale of the changes in Martian wind regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J R Parteli
- Institut für Computerphysik, ICP, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 27, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
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Parteli EJR, Durán O, Herrmann HJ. Minimal size of a barchan dune. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2007; 75:011301. [PMID: 17358139 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.75.011301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2006] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Barchans are dunes of high mobility which have a crescent shape and propagate under conditions of unidirectional wind. However, sand dunes only appear above a critical size, which scales with the saturation distance of the sand flux [P. Hersen, S. Douady, and B. Andreotti, Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 264301 (2002); B. Andreotti, P. Claudin, and S. Douady, Eur. Phys. J. B 28, 321 (2002); G. Sauermann, K. Kroy, and H. J. Herrmann, Phys. Rev. E 64, 31305 (2001)]. It has been suggested by P. Hersen, S. Douady, and B. Andreotti, Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 264301 (2002)] that this flux fetch distance is itself constant. Indeed, this could not explain the protosize of barchan dunes, which often occur in coastal areas of high litoral drift, and the scale of dunes on Mars. In the present work, we show from three-dimensional calculations of sand transport that the size and the shape of the minimal barchan dune depend on the wind friction speed and the sand flux on the area between dunes in a field. Our results explain the common appearance of barchans a few tens of centimeter high which are observed along coasts. Furthermore, we find that the rate at which grains enter saltation on Mars is one order of magnitude higher than on Earth, and is relevant to correctly obtain the minimal dune size on Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J R Parteli
- Institut für Computerphysik, ICP, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 27, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
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Cantor BA, Kanak KM, Edgett KS. Mars Orbiter Camera observations of Martian dust devils and their tracks (September 1997 to January 2006) and evaluation of theoretical vortex models. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1029/2006je002700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Katharine M. Kanak
- Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies; University of Oklahoma; Norman Oklahoma USA
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Schatz V, Tsoar H, Edgett KS, Parteli EJR, Herrmann HJ. Evidence for indurated sand dunes in the Martian north polar region. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1029/2005je002514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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26
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Bourke MC. Aeolian sediment transport pathways and aerodynamics at troughs on Mars. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004. [DOI: 10.1029/2003je002155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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