Dust Devil Frequency of Occurrence and Radiative Effects at Jezero Crater, Mars, as Measured by MEDA Radiation and Dust Sensor (RDS)

The Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer, onboard the Perseverance rover, is a meteorological station that operating on and includes, among other sensors, radiometer Radiation Dust Sensor (RDS). From RDS irradiance observations, total of 374 dust devils (DDs) were detected for first 365 sols mission (Ls = 6°–182°), which along with wind pressure measurements, we estimated DD frequency formation at Jezero between 1.3 3.4 km−2 sol−1 (increasing as move from spring into summer). This found to be smaller than Spirit or Pathfinder landing sites but much greater derived InSight site. maximum in occurs 12:00 13:00 local true solar time, when convective heat flux lower planetary boundary layer IR heating are both predicted peak crater. diameter, minimum height, trajectory studied showing (a) an average diameter 29 m (or median 25 m) 132 ± 63.4 5.6 5.5 m; (b) height 231 minimum-height 872 (c) migration direction agreement measurements. For all cases, DDs decreased UV irradiance, while visible near-IR wavelengths increases decreases observed. Contrary formation, these results indicate similar characteristics period.