Changing albedo may explain Martian global warming
Posted: Mon, Apr 9, 2007, 2:44 PM ET (1844 GMT)
An increase in temperatures measured in the atmosphere of Mars may be explained by changes in the albedo, or reflectivity, of the planet's surface. In a paper published in the latest issue of the journal Nature, researchers noticed a correlation between increasing atmospheric temperatures measured since the 1970s and a decrease in the planet's albedo. The albedo decrease, apparently caused as more areas of darker bedrock have been exposed, causes the planet to absorb more sunlight and warm the atmosphere. The increased temperatures can cause an increase in the number and intensity of dust devils, which helps scour dust from the surface, revealing more areas of darker bedrock and creating a positive feedback effect. While this may explain short-term changes in the Martian climate, researchers cautioned that other factors may influence Martian climate over longer time spans.
An increase in temperatures measured in the atmosphere of Mars may be explained by changes in the albedo, or reflectivity, of the planet's surface. In a paper published in the latest issue of the journal Nature, researchers noticed a correlation between increasing atmospheric temperatures measured since the 1970s and a decrease in the planet's albedo. The albedo decrease, apparently caused as more areas of darker bedrock have been exposed, causes the planet to absorb more sunlight and warm the atmosphere. The increased temperatures can cause an increase in the number and intensity of dust devils, which helps scour dust from the surface, revealing more areas of darker bedrock and creating a positive feedback effect. While this may explain short-term changes in the Martian climate, researchers cautioned that other factors may influence Martian climate over longer time spans.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Monday, September 14
Avio launches pair of climate monitoring European spacecraft to study plants, oceans and atmospheric changes
Spaceflight Now — 12:00 am ET (0400 GMT) Human Spaceflight Key Agenda Item For ESA Intermediate Ministerial
Aviation Week — 11:58 pm ET (0358 GMT) FLEX and Sentinel-3C launched
ESA — 11:57 pm ET (0357 GMT) Starlink broadband pilot targets Lincolnshire's rural 'not spots'
BBC — 11:56 pm ET (0356 GMT) US military has ‘on-orbit’ space weapons, Air Force Secretary reveals
Defense One — 11:55 pm ET (0355 GMT) |
