EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Merrison et al. 2002
Merrison, J.P., Bertelsen, P., Frandsen, C., Gunnlaugsson, P., Knudsen, J.M., Lunt, S., Madsen, M.B., Mossin, L.A., Nielsen, J., Nørnberg, P., Rasmussen, K.R. and Uggerhøj, E. (2002). Simulation of the Martian dust aerosol at low wind speeds. Journal of Geophysical Research 107: doi: 10.1029/2001JE001807. issn: 0148-0227.

Performing realistic simulations is crucial for developing, testing, and subsequently analyzing results of experiments sent to the surface of Mars. A wind tunnel has been constructed, in which the atmospheric conditions of pressure and wind speed are controlled to match those observed by the Pathfinder mission to Mars. Injection into the wind tunnel of an analogue dust from Salten Skov in Denmark allows simulation of the Martian aerosol. Here experiments can be tested in preparation for a planned mission to the planet (Mars Exploration Rovers to be launched in 2003). Observations of adhesion and cohesion effects have been made in the wind tunnel, which are relevant to particle transport and of significance for validating the performance of specific experiments on Mars. Preliminary studies have been made, at Mars atmospheric pressure, of dust capture on magnet arrays similar to those flown on the Mars Pathfinder mission.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Planetology, Solar System Objects, Mars, Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Aerosols and particles (0345, 4801), Planetary Sciences, Surface materials and properties, Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Planetary atmospheres (5405, 5407, 5409, 5704, 5705, 5707)
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit