The Martian Climate Revisited

Atmosphere and Environment of a Desert Planet

Peter L. Read and Stephen R. Lewis

Drawing together the results of recent spacecraft studies and the very latest techniques of atmospheric modelling, The Martian Climate Revisited provides a comprehensive summary of our knowledge and current understanding of the meteorology and climate of Mars from the viewpoint of atmospheric scientists. Such knowledge is based not only upon direct observations of the structure of the atmosphere and the daily and seasonal evolution of the Martian weather systems and atmospheric circulation, but also on techniques such as numerical simulation and meteorological data assimilation, a topic in which the authors are currently pioneers in its application to Mars. The Martian Climate Revisited contains:

• a detailed discussion of Mars climate models, including topics such as general circulation models (GCMs) and the applications of meteorological data assimilation
• a review of Mars’ global-scale atmospheric structure, circulation and seasonal cycles
• descriptions of topographical influences on Martian atmospheric circulation, diurnal phenomena and transient weather systems
• clear explanations of the importance of dust in the Martian climate, detailing the role of dust storms and dust transport in circulation models
• a discussion of the role of water on Mars, both in the formation of the ancient Martian landscape and in its present climate
• an examination of climate variability on Mars during its long history, considering factors such as orbital and obliquity cycles
• informed speculation on the long-term human exploration and colonisation of Mars and possibilities for terraforming Mars

With its extensive section of colour plates and a comprehensive list of bibliographic material, The Martian Climate revisited is an invaluable source of reference.

Table of Contents

• Preface
• Abbreviations
• List of figures
• List of tables
• List of plates
  1. An introduction to Mars
  2. Mars climate models
  3. Mars’ global-scale atmospheric structure
  4. Topographical influences on the atmospheric circulation
  5. Diurnal phenomena
  6. Transient weather systems
  7. Dust storms, devils, and transport
  8. Water, climate, and the Martian environment
  9. Cyclic climate change
  10. Future climates: the human factor?
• Appendix A: A climate database for Mars
• Afterword
• References
• Index

Extent: 360 pages; 40-page colour section
Binding: Paperback
Publication Date: February 2004
ISBN: 978-3-540-40743-0

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