The Spatial and Diurnal Distribution of Lower Atmospheric Dust as Revealed by the Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer

The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) is on its way to achieving 1 Martian year of Scientific Observations by the end of April 2023 to explore the dynamics of the Martian atmosphere on a global scale. The Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer (EMIRS) instrument onboard EMM, is an interferometric thermal infrared spectrometer designed to characterize the geographic, seasonal, and diurnal variability of key characteristics of Mars such as atmospheric dust, which will be the focus of this talk, and other constituents such as water ice optical depth, water vapor abundance, surface temperature, and atmospheric temperature profiles on sub-seasonal timescales.  

EMIRS observations provide full local solar time coverage at multiple emission angles providing data on these constituents over the entire Martian disk. Here, we present initial results of the spatial, seasonal and diurnal variation of dust on a global scale with particular attention to the diurnal variations of dust and the evolution of dust storms. Preliminary results show more diurnal variations during dust storm seasons. In addition, results on the biggest storm of the year will be presented which occurred after solar longitude of 300.  These new observations will continue to enhance our understanding of the dust cycle on Mars and how dust influences the current climate and atmospheric dynamics on Mars by relating the effect of dust to other EMIRS constituents mentioned above.