Intense Zonal Wind in the Martian Mesosphere During the 2018 Planet-Encircling Dust Event Observed by Ground-Based Infrared Heterodyne Spectroscopy

Akiho Miyamoto, Hiromu Nakagawa, Takeshi Kuroda, Kosuke Takami, Isao Murata, Alexander S. Medvedev, Nao Yoshida, Shohei Aoki, Hideo Sagawa, Yasumasa Kasaba, Naoki Terada

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We report on the direct measurements of zonal winds around 80 km altitude during the 2018 planet-encircling dust event (PEDE) by infrared (IR) heterodyne spectroscopy. The observed Doppler shifts assume intense retrograde (easterly) winds (208 ± 17 m s−1, 159 ± 20 m s−1, 211 ± 20 m s−1 on June 21, June 27, August 31, 2018, respectively) in the equatorial region during the 2018 PEDE. This is significantly stronger than those during non-storm conditions reported by the previous study (Sonnabend et al., 2012, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2011.11.009). The substantial retrograde wind during the PEDE is qualitatively consistent with the predictions by the Mars general circulation models (MGCMs), however, the observed wind on 31, August, are of a larger magnitude. We evaluated the mechanism of acceleration using the output from a high-resolution MGCM. We find out that the stronger winds are related to strengthening the meridional circulation across the equator and forcing by gravity waves.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2021GL092413
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume48
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021 Jun 16

Keywords

  • Mars
  • atmosphere
  • dust storm
  • dynamics
  • infrared observation
  • spectroscopy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)

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