Mars atmospheric surface interactions and the CO2 cycle
Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union
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Abstract
Mars' northern and southern seasonal polar caps are formed during their respective autumn and winter seasons both by condensation of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) directly onto the surface, and through atmospheric precipitation in the form of CO2 snow. During the polar spring and summer, the seasonal ice sublimes, returning CO2 to the atmosphere.
Roughly 25% of the atmosphere, which is 95% CO2 by volume, is cycled through the seasonal caps annually. This CO2 cycle dominates atmospheric circulation on Mars and must be thoroughly understood before the fundamental questions about Mars' climate history and the global distribution of near‐surface water can be addressed.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Mars atmospheric surface interactions and the CO2 cycle |
| Series title | Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union |
| DOI | 10.1029/2005EO460006 |
| Volume | 86 |
| Issue | 46 |
| Year Published | 2011 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Geophysical Union |
| Publisher location | Washington, D.C. |
| Contributing office(s) | Astrogeology Science Center |
| Description | 2 p. |
| Other Geospatial | Mars |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |