Vortices and Dust Devils as Observed by the Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer Instruments on Board the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover

Abstract An important and perhaps dominant source of dust in the Martian atmosphere, devils play a key role Mars’ climate. Data sets from previous landed missions have revealed devil activity, constrained their structures, elucidated dust-lifting capacities. However, each landing site observational season exhibits unique meteorological properties that shape activity illuminate dependence on ambient conditions. The recent release data Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) instrument suite board 2020 Perseverance rover promises new treasure trove for studies. In this study, we sift time series MEDA’s Pressure Sensor (PS) Radiative Dust Sensors (RDS) to look signals passing vortices devils. We detected 309 vortex encounters over mission’s first 89 sols. Consistent with predictions, these encounter rates exceed InSight Curiosity’s rates. RDS also allows us assess whether is likely be dusty (and therefore true devil) or dustless. find about one quarter show signs lofting, although unfavorable geometries may prevented detecting other vortices. addition results, discuss prospects studies as additional are processed made available.