A new model for multiscale modeling of the Martian atmosphere, GM3

Abstract

[1] A new global model for the Martian atmosphere with a vertical domain extending from the surface into the thermosphere (at about 160-180 km) is presented with some preliminary results. The model is a grid point model with a semi-Lagrangian semi-implicit dynamical scheme that is used for weather forecasting by the Meteorological Service of Canada. The physics includes a comprehensive radiative transfer scheme for heating, a boundary and surface layer parameterization. The design of the model allows for different grid configurations that include a globally uniform grid as well as the possibility of zooming over an area of interest with a locally uniform grid. The performance of the model is shown both in global uniform-resolution simulations as well as high-resolution simulations over the Tharsis Montes region. The simulated temperatures are compared with the Thermal Emission Spectrometer's measured profiles and the Mars Pathfinder entry data. Both the agreement with the data and the depiction of known features of the Martian atmosphere indicate that the Global Mars Multiscale Model has a good potential for modeling the atmosphere of Mars.

The Modern Near-Surface Martian Climate: A Review of In-situ Meteorological Data from Viking to Curiosity

“…3 Interannual and seasonal evolution of the daily mean atmospheric pressure (top) and the diurnal amplitude (difference between the daily maximum and minimum atmospheric pressure; bottom) at the VL1 (green colors), VL2 (gray colors), MPF (black), PHX (purple) and MSL (brown-red-orange) landing sites sonal polar caps cause large pressure variations across the planet (Hess et al 1980;Tillman et al 1993). On daily to monthly time scales, various components of the global circulation such as baroclinic eddies (Barnes 1980(Barnes , 1981, tropical overturning circulations (Magalhães 1987;Haberle et al 1993a;Forget et al 1999;Read and Lewis 2004;Moudden and McConnell 2005), and stationary waves (Hollingsworth and Barnes 1996;Banfield et al 2003;Hinson et al 2003) are associated with changes in surface pressure. On diurnal time scales, the global scale thermal tides (Zurek 1976;Zurek and Leovy 1981;Wilson and Hamilton 1996;Guzewich et al 2013) and localized slope flows (Blumsack et al 1973;Tyler and Barnes 2013;Rafkin et al 2016) are important.…”

Three-dimensional on-line chemical modeling in a Mars general circulation model

“…For this study we use the version of GM3 described in Moudden and McConnell (2005), with a chemical module that includes the water cycle. In GM3 prognostic equations are solved for horizontal wind components, temperature, surface pressure and each chemical species considered in the chemical model.…”

“…For this purpose we use the Global Mars Multiscale Model (GM3) (Moudden and McConnell, 2005) which is a general circulation model based on the weather forecast model of the Meteorological Service of Canada (GEM, Global Environmental Multiscale Model), GEM has been used for terrestrial on-line air quality and stratospheric studies (O'Neill et al, 2006). We have added a module to GM3 that describes the water cycle on Mars (similar to that of Montmessin et al, 2004) and have also added a comprehensive chemical module coupling the thermosphere to the lower atmosphere.…”

“…And in fact 3D dynamical models have been used since the early 1970s for dynamical studies (see, e.g., Moudden and McConnell, 2005, for references). Moreau et al (1991) studied the meridional distribution of minor species using a 2D model.…”

Modelling dust distributions in the atmospheric boundary layer on Mars

“…The primary aim is to explore a range of dust situations that may be encountered during the Phoenix mission. We are also collaborating with the Mars general circulation model group at York University with a view to incorporating similar, though lower resolution, dust treatment in the models developed by Moudden and McConnell (2005).…”