Simulation of surface meteorology at the Pathfinder and VLI sites using a Mars mesoscale model

Abstract

The Fifth-Generation Penn State/NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5) has been adapted to study circulations in the Martian atmosphere. The NASA Ames Mars general circulation model (GCM) provides initial and boundary conditions. The meteorology of this Mars MM5 (the OSU MMM5) is compared with Pathfinder and Viking Lander 1 (VL1) data for late northern summer. The MMM5 uses an equator-crossing semiglobal polar stereographic mother domain, significantly reducing the boundary reflections inherent in Martian mesoscale simulations. Using two-way nests, simultaneous simulations of two regions are performed: (1) Chryse Planitia (Mars Pathfinder (MPF)/ VL1) and (2) the central chasmas of Valles Marineris. Simulations are hydrostatic and dry. The MMM5 uses the same atmospheric radiation package as the GCM but a much enhanced near-surface vertical resolution and a different Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) scheme. Model topography, thermal inertia, and surface albedo maps have all been developed using the most recent data from the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Laser Altimer (MOLA) and Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) experiments. The diurnal cycles of surface air temperature, surface pressure, and surface wind all show improvement in comparison with the GCM. For certain regions the local surface pressure tidal amplitudes are strongly dependent on the resolution of the model and/or the topography; VL1 and MPF are in such a region. The diurnal cycles of wind are complex, and for many locations the near-surface winds are dominated by slope flows of multiple scales. Comparison with data indicates that resolving these slope flows is very important for simulating the diurnal wind cycle. At specific locations these slope flows dramatically influence the diurnal surface pressure cycle.