11:30 AM - 11:45 AM
[MIS24-07] Observation history of global storms on Mars: Could Ancient Chinese observe the Martian global dust storms?
Keywords:Mars, Chinese Historical Sources, Martian Global Dust Storms
Martian global dust storms (MGDS) are a recurring and enigmatic phenomenon, with the potential to significantly disrupt surface operations, posing a major hazard to rovers and other Mars exploration missions. These massive storms can envelop the entire planet, altering the Martian environment and hindering the operation of robotic explorers for extended periods, sometimes weeks or even months. Despite their critical importance to mission planning, predicting and understanding MGDS remains a complex challenge due to limited observational data.
Early observations of these storms date back to the 19th century, when astronomers like Johann Schröter and Giovanni Schiaparelli noted changes in the Martian surface through telescopic observations, attributing them to seasonal dust activity. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s, with NASA’s Mariner missions, that the full scale and impact of MGDS were revealed, with global storms capable of completely obscuring the Martian surface. Since then, modern spacecraft equipped with advanced imaging and atmospheric sensors have improved our understanding of their rapid onset, development, and effects on the Martian atmosphere.
However, forecasting these events remains hindered by the lack of long-term observations, unlike on the Earth. This study draws on historical records found in Chinese historical sources, offering a novel perspective to enhance our understanding of MGDS and improve predictive models, which are critical for the success of future Mars exploration missions.
Early observations of these storms date back to the 19th century, when astronomers like Johann Schröter and Giovanni Schiaparelli noted changes in the Martian surface through telescopic observations, attributing them to seasonal dust activity. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s, with NASA’s Mariner missions, that the full scale and impact of MGDS were revealed, with global storms capable of completely obscuring the Martian surface. Since then, modern spacecraft equipped with advanced imaging and atmospheric sensors have improved our understanding of their rapid onset, development, and effects on the Martian atmosphere.
However, forecasting these events remains hindered by the lack of long-term observations, unlike on the Earth. This study draws on historical records found in Chinese historical sources, offering a novel perspective to enhance our understanding of MGDS and improve predictive models, which are critical for the success of future Mars exploration missions.