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Variations of Mars gravitational field and rotation due to seasonal CO2 exchangeAbout a quarter of the Martian atmospheric mass is exchanged between the atmosphere and the polar caps in the course of a Martian year: CO2 condenses to form (or add to) the polar caps in winter and sublimes into the atmosphere in summer. This paper studies the effect of this CO2 mass redistribution on Martian rotation and gravitational field. Two mechanisms are examined: (1) the waxing and waning of solid CO2 in the polar caps and (2) the geographical distribution of gaseous CO2 in the atmosphere. In particular, the net peak-to-peak changes in J2 and J3 over a Martian year are both found to be as much as about 6 x 10 to the -9th. A simulation suggests that these changes may be detected by the upcoming Mars Observer under favorable but realistic conditions.
Document ID
19900061742
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Chao, B. Fong
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Rubincam, David Parry
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
August 30, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 95
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
90A48797
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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