Ultra-fast Kelvin wave packets in Mars’ Atmosphere and their
Interactions with Tides as Viewed by MAVEN/NGIMS and MRO/MCS
Abstract
A key element of successful aerobraking operations at Mars is accurate
thermospheric density predictions. Evidence suggests that much of the
longitude variability in Mars’ aerobraking region is associated with
atmospheric tides, and the day-to-day variability is connected with
tidal modulation by longer-period global-scale waves. Specifically,
ultra-fast Kelvin waves (UFKWs) and their modulation of the tidal
spectrum play a key role in coupling Mars’ lower
($<$$\sim$80 km) and middle
($\sim$80-100 km) atmosphere with the aerobraking
region above. In this study, over 5 years of Mars Atmosphere and
Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer (NGIMS)
CO$_2$ density observations are employed to reveal prominent,
frequent, and persistent 2.5- to 4.5-day UFKW packets in the whole
Martian middle and upper thermosphere (ca. 150-200 km), and large
secondary waves arising from their nonlinear interactions with the tidal
spectrum. Detailed analyses focusing on a prominent
$\sim$2.5-day UFKW event in late 2015 demonstrate
primary and secondary wave amplitudes growing twofold with altitude from
$\sim$7-14\% near 150 km to
$\sim$12-25\% near 200 km and their
combined effects to account for
$\sim$60-80\% of the
altitude-longitudinal variability of Mars’ thermospheric density.
Concurrent temperature measurements from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
(MRO) Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) reveal consistent wave signatures near
80 km altitude suggesting propagation of both primary and secondary
waves from the lower atmosphere. This study demonstrates that UFKWs and
secondary waves from UFKW-tide interactions are sources of significant
altitude-longitude variability in the Mars’ aerobraking region that
should be accounted for when analyzing satellite observations and
nonlinear models.