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Atmospheric Gravity Waves in Mars' Lower Atmosphere: Nadir Observations From OMEGA/Mars Express Data.

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Title: Atmospheric Gravity Waves in Mars' Lower Atmosphere: Nadir Observations From OMEGA/Mars Express Data.
Authors: Brasil, F.1,2 (AUTHOR), Machado, P.1,2 (AUTHOR) machado@oal.ul.pt, Gilli, G.1,3 (AUTHOR), Cardesín‐Moinelo, A.1,3,4 (AUTHOR), Silva, J. E.1,5 (AUTHOR), Espadinha, D.1,2 (AUTHOR), Riu, L.4 (AUTHOR), Carter, J.6,7 (AUTHOR), Wilson, C.8 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets. Mar2025, Vol. 130 Issue 3, p1-20. 20p.
Subject Terms: *Atmospheric circulation, Martian atmosphere, Gravity waves, Atmospheric waves, Wave packets
Abstract: We present the detection and characterization of mesoscale waves on the lower clouds of Mars (20–40 km) using hyperspectral images from the Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activité (OMEGA) onboard the European Mars Express space mission. We used image navigation and processing techniques based on contrast enhancement and geometrical projections to semi‐manually detect and manually characterize morphological properties of the detected waves, such as horizontal wavelength or packet length. Our study covers 3 Martian years, spanning from January 2004 (Mars Year 26) to January 2010 (Mars Year 29). We detected 263 wave packets, of which we characterized 125, revealing an average horizontal wavelength of 21 km, with detected waves spanning horizontal wavelengths between 6 and 83 km. Wave activity exhibited spatial and temporal variability, with larger wave packets concentrated in the northern hemisphere and most detections occurring during daytime. Seasonal patterns revealed higher wave activity during northern spring and autumn and southern winter, linked to regional topography, atmospheric density perturbations, and diurnal heating cycles. These findings provide insights into Martian atmospheric gravity waves and demonstrate the OMEGA data set's value for future studies of Mars's atmospheric dynamics. Plain Language Summary: Atmospheric gravity waves (AGW) are wave‐like disturbances that travel through a planet's atmosphere, much like waves moving across water's surface. These waves influence weather patterns and the overall behavior of the atmosphere. Studying them on Mars helps us understand not only the Martian atmosphere but also provides insights that could be applied to Earth's atmospheric science. In our research, we set out to detect and analyze AGW in the lower‐clouds of Mars. We used data captured by the Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activité instrument aboard the Mars Express spacecraft. By enhancing the contrast of these images and accurately mapping their geometry, we identified wave patterns and measured their characteristics, such as the distance between waves (wavelength) and the size of wave groups (wave packets). We detected 263 groups of waves and conducted a detailed analysis of 125 of them. We also observed that the waves were wider during Mars's dust storm season, suggesting that their properties change with the seasons and locations on the planet. Understanding these waves enhances our knowledge of how the Martian atmosphere operates. This information is crucial for improving atmospheric models of Mars, which can aid future exploration missions and deepen our understanding of atmospheric processes on other planets. Key Points: Atmospheric gravity waves were detected in the Martian atmosphere using OMEGA hyperspectral data set onboard Mars ExpressA detailed morphological characterization of 125 wave packets was performed on water‐ice cloudsFindings reveal temporal, seasonal and geographical patterns, enhancing our understanding of Martian atmospheric waves distribution [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:We present the detection and characterization of mesoscale waves on the lower clouds of Mars (20–40 km) using hyperspectral images from the Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activité (OMEGA) onboard the European Mars Express space mission. We used image navigation and processing techniques based on contrast enhancement and geometrical projections to semi‐manually detect and manually characterize morphological properties of the detected waves, such as horizontal wavelength or packet length. Our study covers 3 Martian years, spanning from January 2004 (Mars Year 26) to January 2010 (Mars Year 29). We detected 263 wave packets, of which we characterized 125, revealing an average horizontal wavelength of 21 km, with detected waves spanning horizontal wavelengths between 6 and 83 km. Wave activity exhibited spatial and temporal variability, with larger wave packets concentrated in the northern hemisphere and most detections occurring during daytime. Seasonal patterns revealed higher wave activity during northern spring and autumn and southern winter, linked to regional topography, atmospheric density perturbations, and diurnal heating cycles. These findings provide insights into Martian atmospheric gravity waves and demonstrate the OMEGA data set's value for future studies of Mars's atmospheric dynamics. Plain Language Summary: Atmospheric gravity waves (AGW) are wave‐like disturbances that travel through a planet's atmosphere, much like waves moving across water's surface. These waves influence weather patterns and the overall behavior of the atmosphere. Studying them on Mars helps us understand not only the Martian atmosphere but also provides insights that could be applied to Earth's atmospheric science. In our research, we set out to detect and analyze AGW in the lower‐clouds of Mars. We used data captured by the Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activité instrument aboard the Mars Express spacecraft. By enhancing the contrast of these images and accurately mapping their geometry, we identified wave patterns and measured their characteristics, such as the distance between waves (wavelength) and the size of wave groups (wave packets). We detected 263 groups of waves and conducted a detailed analysis of 125 of them. We also observed that the waves were wider during Mars's dust storm season, suggesting that their properties change with the seasons and locations on the planet. Understanding these waves enhances our knowledge of how the Martian atmosphere operates. This information is crucial for improving atmospheric models of Mars, which can aid future exploration missions and deepen our understanding of atmospheric processes on other planets. Key Points: Atmospheric gravity waves were detected in the Martian atmosphere using OMEGA hyperspectral data set onboard Mars ExpressA detailed morphological characterization of 125 wave packets was performed on water‐ice cloudsFindings reveal temporal, seasonal and geographical patterns, enhancing our understanding of Martian atmospheric waves distribution [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:21699097
DOI:10.1029/2024JE008726