Jack McConnell
Centre Research Earth Space Science, York Univ. (Ontario, Canada)
Salle des séminaires Évry Schatzman, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris
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| « The Aeronomy of Mars » |
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Jack McConnell |
| Aeronomy can be described as the study of the interaction of solar radiation with a planetary atmosphere. Solar radiation from the Sun breaks down molecules and the energy released as radiation tells us much about physical processes and of course can be used for instruments to probe wind systems. Much can be learned from the chemical distribution of species in a planetary atmosphere: Early observations of CO and O2 in the lower atmosphere of Mars indicated a puzzle with the stability of the Mars lower atmosphere. While in the upper atmosphere Mariner 6, 7, and 9 observations of airglow suggested that vertical mixing was much more vigorous than on the Earth. Mars has an ozone layer but not sufficient to protect life on and above the surface but new observations of methane on Mars have renewed the debate of whether life is or has ever been active on Mars. Giant dust storms envelope the planet almost every Martian year and affect the dynamics. I will give a general talk on the Mars atmosphere covering aspects from the surface to the edge of the atmosphere using the data base from Mars global surveyor, Mars Odyssey, the Mars Rovers and Mars Express and touch on some aspects of our 3D chemistry-climate model developed at York University. |
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vendredi 7 octobre 2005 - 11:00 Salle des séminaires Évry Schatzman, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris |
| Page web du séminaire / Seminar's webpage |