Scientists study and predict the weather on Mars

When scientists study missions to nearby planets, they need accurate weather forecasts. Otherwise, the trips could turn out to be 'disastrous'.

A new study from Yale University (USA) helps lay the groundwork for more accurate predictions about other planets.

Dust storms frequently appear on Mars.

The team took a phenomenon related to Earth's jet stream and applied it to weather patterns on Mars, as well as Titan, Saturn's largest moon.

Lead author J. Michael Battalio, a postdoctoral researcher in Earth and planetary sciences in the Yale School of Arts and Sciences, said: 'We can rely on the relationship between gases. climate and weather to help predict dust storms'.

On Earth, the regularity of mid-latitude storm systems is related to the 'annular mode'. This is a variation of the atmospheric flow unrelated to the cycle of the seasons. This phenomenon affects jet streams, precipitation, and cloud formation across the planet.

After 15 years of observing the Martian atmosphere, Mr. Battalio discovered that the Red planet also has an annular mode, similar to Earth. In addition, Battalio and colleagues found that the annular mode also appeared in the Titan simulations. In fact, the annular regime on Titan and Mars is more influential than it is on Earth. They could be responsible for half of the wind change on Mars and two-thirds of Titan.

For Mars, dust storms can occur continuously or occur every few years. Minor storms last less than a day. However, major storms can last for weeks or months. According to Battalio, understanding and predicting these events is critical to the safety of missions. Especially those that rely on solar energy.

'During major events, the dust can sometimes become so dense that it makes the day appear as dark as midnight. Even in the absence of such an event, storms in the region are still a recurring factor ," said researcher Battalio.

According to the team, this periodic property could allow annular modes to predict dust storms. The annular modes impact eddies that cause dust storms. The real-time analysis of the annular mode enables dust storm prediction and does not need to rely on a complex model.