Instruments for the analysis of the Martian dust aerosol

TY - GEN

T1 - Instruments for the analysis of the Martian dust aerosol

AU - Merrison, J. P.

AU - Gunnlaugsson, H. P.

AU - Jensen, J.

AU - Kinch, K.

AU - Nernberg, P.

AU - Rasmussen, K. R.

PY - 2004/12/1

Y1 - 2004/12/1

N2 - Dust is a dominant component in the Martian environment, featuring significantly in the atmosphere and covering most of the planets surface. The origin of this dust is of great scientific interest in the study of the Martian climate and its history. It also poses a serious hazard to both instrumentation and biological systems alike. Accurate measurements of the physical nature of the dust, the local wind flow and dust concentration are necessary for modelling the transport of this dust. Using a unique re-circulating Mars simulation wind tunnel a series of miniaturised instruments are being developed which would allow direct, in-situ measurements of a wide variety of physical properties of the Martian aerosol. Specifically three prototype instruments have been constructed and successfully tested, these were a miniature laser anemometer, which determines velocity and suspended dust concentration, an optoelectronics device for quantification of dust deposition and an instrument which collects electrically charged wind-blown dust. These instruments will be presented and the possibility for integration discussed.

AB - Dust is a dominant component in the Martian environment, featuring significantly in the atmosphere and covering most of the planets surface. The origin of this dust is of great scientific interest in the study of the Martian climate and its history. It also poses a serious hazard to both instrumentation and biological systems alike. Accurate measurements of the physical nature of the dust, the local wind flow and dust concentration are necessary for modelling the transport of this dust. Using a unique re-circulating Mars simulation wind tunnel a series of miniaturised instruments are being developed which would allow direct, in-situ measurements of a wide variety of physical properties of the Martian aerosol. Specifically three prototype instruments have been constructed and successfully tested, these were a miniature laser anemometer, which determines velocity and suspended dust concentration, an optoelectronics device for quantification of dust deposition and an instrument which collects electrically charged wind-blown dust. These instruments will be presented and the possibility for integration discussed.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=22144476138&partnerID=8YFLogxK

M3 - Conference article

AN - SCOPUS:22144476138

SN - 0379-6566

SP - 179

EP - 182

JO - European Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA SP

JF - European Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA SP

IS - 543

T2 - 37th ESLAB Symposium: Tools and Technologies for Future Planetary Exploration

Y2 - 2 December 2004 through 4 December 2004

ER -