Instruments for the analysis of the Martian dust aerosol

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articleResearchpeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA SP
Issue number543
Pages (from-to)179-182
Number of pages4
ISSN0379-6566
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2004
Event37th ESLAB Symposium: Tools and Technologies for Future Planetary Exploration - Noordwijk, Netherlands
Duration: 2 Dec 20044 Dec 2004

Conference

Conference37th ESLAB Symposium: Tools and Technologies for Future Planetary Exploration
CountryNetherlands
CityNoordwijk
Period02/12/200404/12/2004

ID: 230187659