This work focuses on developing a data assimilation scheme for Mars' atmosphere, and using it to understand aspects of Mars' atmospheric circulation. Data assimilation blends together observations from spacecraft in Mars orbit with simulations using the LMD Mars Global Climate Model (GCM). Data assimilation is a technique widespread in environmental science. It combines a model with observations in a statistically rigorous manner to produce representations of the system closer to reality than either the model or the observations by themselves. The model also fills in gaps where no observations are available, and retrieves unobserved quantities based on known relationships between observed and unobserved variables.

The LMD Mars data assimilation scheme was developed by Navarro et al. (2014, 2017). It uses the Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter (LETKF) method for data assimilation (Hunt et al., 2007), and assimilates observations from the Mars Climate Sounder instrument (MCS) on board Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). The LETKF is an ensemble-based data assimilation scheme that, like other Ensemble Kalman Filters, uses an ensemble of model simulations to approximate the background error covariance matrix required by the Kalman Filter.

Work is currently focusing on assimilating temperature observations from the Atmospheric Chemistry Suite (ACS) instrument on board the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter spacecraft. This has been in Mars orbit since 2016, and we are particularly focusing on the MY34 Global Dust Storm (2018). ACS's TIRVIM channel observes Mars in the thermal infrared in nadir and solar occultation modes. Of particular relevance to the assimilation are the measurements used to generate atmospheric temperature profiles and dust and water ice column opacities.

Mars dust storms are critical for engineering parameters, the entry-descent-landing (EDL) operation of spacecraft, the energy production by the solar panels of Mars rovers and landers, and presumably the health and safety of future astronauts on Mars. A recent example is the loss of contact with the Mars rover Opportunity as a direct consequence of a global dust storm event (GDE) during mid-2018.

GDEs are the result of local/regional dust storms growing to planetary size, and have a duration of up to a few months. GDEs also occurred in 2001 and 2007. The historical observational record shows that GDEs are irregular in time and occur, on average, once every few Martian years (1 Martian Year is equal to ca. 1.9 Earth Years).

Using Mars Global Climate Models (MGCMs), it is challenging to realistically simulate the occurrence of GDEs in some Martian Years and their absence in others. Together with image data from Mars orbiting satellites, MGCMs are a critical tool for advancing our understanding of the physical processes giving rise to Mars dust storms from local to global size. This has, in turn, direct implications for the future forecasting of Martian dust storms.

Applications for all positions must be made via Jobs@UAEU. While enquiries are welcome, please do not apply for these positions by email - it must be done through Jobs@UAEU.

There is one open Research Assistant position. For more information please contact Mariam Aljaberi.

PhD Scholarships at NSSTC for UAE Nationals

We are interested in supervising projects related to the following topics in planetary science (note: descriptions are a few years old). Interested students should contact us directly, or enquire through NSSTC at nsstc@uaeu.ac.ae. Note that the formal application for the PhD program has to be made separately through the College of Graduate Studies.

1. Assimilation of EMM-Hope and Mars lander observations into high-resolution mesoscale and local models (R. Young)
2. Building and analyzing comprehensive Mars dust storm databases from 1 Martian Year of EMM observations (C. Gebhardt)
3. Dynamics of Jupiter's polar cyclones (R. Young)
4. Jupiter's stratospheric dynamics and links with the troposphere (R. Young)

MSc Studentships based at NSSTC for UAE Nationals

Opportunities for MSc studentships based at NSSTC are available to work on thesis topics related to the group's research.

If you have recently been admitted to UAEU's MSc in Space Science program and are interested in doing your thesis within the group, please get in contact with us or enquire through NSSTC at nsstc@uaeu.ac.ae. We usually go through a supervisor-student matching process each semester, organised by the MSc Program Coordinator.

We are interested in supervising projects related to the following topics in planetary science (among others).

1. Various projects related to data analysis from the Emirates Mars Mission
2. Remote sensing and modelling of the Martian atmosphere and surface
3. Using data assimilation to estimate poorly-constrained physical parameters about the Martian atmosphere
4. Cloud tracking using MRO-MARCI, Mars Express-HRSC, or EMM-EXI data to obtain Martian wind fields

UAEU students interested in doing their undergraduate internship with us (e.g. PHYS500, MATH500, CHEM419, GEOL500), should contact NSSTC at nsstc@uaeu.ac.ae in the first instance.