Observation of atmospheric tides in the Martian exosphere using Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter radio tracking data
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چکیده
[1] Based on the perturbations of the trajectory of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter due to atmospheric drag, we estimate, using Precision Orbit Determination, the density of the Martian exosphere near 250 km altitude with much better temporal (and therefore spatial) resolution than previously possible with this method. Small longitudinal density variations are observed to be consistent over long time periods. Although they appear fixed with respect to the planet, we interpret them as non-migrating tides because of the Sun-synchronous spacecraft orbit. Similar tides were observed previously by MGS at much lower altitude ( 125 km), and our results agree to first order with the MGS findings. Citation: Mazarico, E., M. T. Zuber, F. G. Lemoine, and D. E. Smith (2008), Observation of atmospheric tides in the Martian exosphere using Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter radio tracking data, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L09202, doi:10.1029/ 2008GL033388.
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