Estimating the Heights of Martian Vortices from Mars 2020 MEDA Data

Abstract Small convective vortices occur ubiquitously on Mars, frequently as dust devils, and they produce detectable signals in meteorological data—in pressure, temperature, wind speed direction. In addition to being important contributors the Martian budget, may serve probes of boundary layer, providing clues instability, layer diurnal evolution, surface–atmosphere interactions. Using requires a detailed understanding link between their properties occurrence rates conditions that them. Fortunately, growing cache data from Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer instrument suite board 2020 Perseverance rover promises elucidate these relationships. this study, we present catalog vortex detections mission sols 90 through 179 bolster our previous based 15 89. Consistent with predictions, find more encounters during second half than first half. analyzing pressure encounters, also use Gaussian process analysis recover contemporaneous temperature signals. By combining long-established thermodynamics model, estimate heights some agreement work evidence for growth decay layer. We discuss prospects additional studies using encounters.