Mars boundary layer simulations - Comparison with Viking lander and entry observations

Abstract

Diurnal variations of wind and temperature in the lower Martian atmosphere are simulated with a boundary layer model that includes radiative heating in a dusty CO2 atmosphere, turbulence generated by convection and/or shear stresses, a surface heat budget, and time varying pressure forces due to sloping terrain. Model results for early northern summer are compared with Viking lander observations to determine the model's strengths and weaknesses, and suitability as an engineering model.