Martian atmospheric Lee waves

Scale-dependent infrared radiative damping rates on Mars and their role in the deposition of gravity-wave momentum flux

“…In closing, we note that, to date, strong similarities have been noted between gravity wave dynamics on Earth and Mars (e.g., Pirraglia, 1976;Pickersgill and Hunt, 1979;Tobie et al, 2003;Imamura et al, 2007;Parrish et al, 2009). This is reflected in the GCM parameterizations of gravity-wave drag for both planetary atmospheres, which at present possess almost identical governing physics (e.g., Forget et al, 1999;Medvedev and Hartogh, 2007).…”

High-resolution atmospheric observations by the Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System

“…9 shows examples of lee wave clouds observed at various locations on the planet. Since lee wave clouds have been extensively documented in previous studies of Viking, Mariner 9, and MGS imagery (Briggs et al, 1979;French et al, 1981;Kahn, 1984;Pirraglia, 1976;Wang and Ingersoll, 2002), we will only note their presence in the THEMIS VIS archive.…”

Mean and gravity wave structures and variability in the Mars upper atmosphere inferred from Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey aerobraking densities

“…Indeed, terrestrial observations have often provided the clues to their interpretation on Mars. Lee waves at small spatial scales and lower altitudes provided the first indications of GW influences [ Briggs and Leovy , 1974; Pirraglia , 1976; Briggs et al , 1979; Pettengill and Ford , 2000]. At higher altitudes, evidence for enhanced diffusion, mean temperatures far above radiative equilibrium at winter polar latitudes, and zonal jet closure provided evidence of likely GW momentum transport, possible additional turbulence transport, and a residual (meridional and vertical) circulation induced by GW instability and mean‐flow interactions [ Blamont and Chassefiere , 1993; Deming et al , 1986; Keating et al , 2002; Read and Lewis , 2004].…”