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| Titel |
Model simulation of the perturbation of the Mars atmosphere by the near-collision Comet C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring) |
| VerfasserIn |
Roger V. Yelle, Arnaud Mahieux, Sarah Morrison, Véronique Vuitton, Sarah M. Hörst |
| Konferenz |
EGU General Assembly 2014
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| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| Digitales Dokument |
PDF |
| Erschienen |
In: GRA - Volume 16 (2014) |
| Datensatznummer |
250094927
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| Publikation (Nr.) |
 EGU/EGU2014-10363.pdf |
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| Zusammenfassung |
| The Mars upper atmosphere could be strongly perturbed by the near-collision with Comet
C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring), which will have its closest approach to the Planet Mars on
October 19, 2014, at a distance between 116,000 and 169,000 km. Significant mass and
energy will be deposited in the upper atmosphere if the comet coma is significantly dense.
Using a 1-D model, we predict that comet H2O production rates larger than 1028 molecules/s
will produce temperature increase exceeding 30 K above 170 km that will last for a few
hours. The H density will be multiplied by a factor close to 2 above 140 km and the
perturbation will persist during tens of hours after the closest encounter. Drag on orbiting
spacecraft may increase by substantial factors, depending on the comet activity, because of
the thermal perturbation of the atmosphere. Observation of these perturbations
may provide insight into the thermal and chemical balances of the atmosphere. |
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