Seasonal interactions in the south polar area of Mars
BORIS DOI
Subtitle
from orbital and experimental observations
Abstract
The Polar areas of Mars are home to exotic seasonal processes with no terrestrial counterparts. Seasonal features such as spots, fans and spiders have been hypothesised, first by Kieffer, to originate from eruption of gas and dust as the seasonal CO2 layer sublimate. Over the years, observations and computational models have provided sufficient support to this hypothesis, which is today commonly accepted.
With the arrival of the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) onboard ExoMars TGO, high-resolution images, with exceptional colour coverage in four filters, provided new insights on the seasonal features observed in the south polar area of Mars. A variety of new morphologies of spots were identified and led to the definition of an extended classification. I established a putative evolution model based on the Kieffer model and the orbital observations from CaSSIS.
To complement the orbital data and better understand parts of the model, I led experimental campaigns in the goal of answering some open questions regarding these seasonal phenomena, their origins and evolution over time. I present in this thesis my contributions to the understanding of the circum-polar processes.
With the arrival of the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) onboard ExoMars TGO, high-resolution images, with exceptional colour coverage in four filters, provided new insights on the seasonal features observed in the south polar area of Mars. A variety of new morphologies of spots were identified and led to the definition of an extended classification. I established a putative evolution model based on the Kieffer model and the orbital observations from CaSSIS.
To complement the orbital data and better understand parts of the model, I led experimental campaigns in the goal of answering some open questions regarding these seasonal phenomena, their origins and evolution over time. I present in this thesis my contributions to the understanding of the circum-polar processes.
Date of Publication
2023
Year of graduation
2023
Theses Type
dissertation
Subject(s)
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Cesar, Camila |
Faculty/Graduate School
Institute
Access(Rights)
open.access
Primary OA Publication
true