NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THE ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION AND CLIMATE OF MARS

Abstract

The Mintz-Arakawa two- level model for planetary atmospheres has been adapted to simulate the atmospheric circulation and climate of Mars. Numerical experiments simulate orbital conditions at the southern summer solstice of Mars, and orbital conditions at the southern autumnal equinox. The results of the solstice experiment show strong zonal mean west winds in the middle and high latitudes of the winter hemisphere. The results of the equinox experiment are more like conditions in the earth's atmosphere.