Deciphering the dust dynamics on Mars: a multiscale investigation using thermal infrared and spectral data

Wolfe, Christopher (2023) Deciphering the dust dynamics on Mars: a multiscale investigation using thermal infrared and spectral data. Doctoral thesis, Northern Arizona University.

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Abstract

Dust is ubiquitous on Mars and constantly alters the appearance of both the atmosphere and surface of the planet. Aside from modifying the visible aspects of the planet, dust also impacts atmospheric temperatures and global circulation patterns. Despite its implications on climate, the Martian dust cycle remains poorly understood, with current General Circulation Models (GCMs) unable to simulate realistic dust storms. This inability to replicate observations is, in part, due to models lacking vital information, including mobile surface dust abundance. To address these knowledge gaps in the Martian dust cycle, I present three investigations that evaluate the impact dust has on surface temperature and reflectance spectra, and how we can use these measurements to constrain dust redistribution at different spatial resolutions. The first half of this dissertation focuses on dust-induced variations in surface temperature. Analyzing surface temperature data from the Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer (EMIRS) and Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) instruments, a robust thermophysical model is employed to quantify changes in surface dust thickness at moderate (100-300 km) and fine spatial resolutions (< 100 m) for both inter-seasonal and inter-annual timescales. In addition to estimating changes in surface dust thickness, I identify regions associated with net change, placing constraints on the total amount of surface dust deposited or removed at different temporal and spatial scales. The latter half this dissertation investigates the impact of Martian dust on the planet's disk-integrated reflectance spectra. Synthetic observations simulating various levels of atmospheric dustiness are produced to assess detectability and characterization, with an emphasis on extending this analysis to Mars-like exoplanets. More specifically, I explore the sensitivity of atmospheric dust to parameters such as required integration times and determine which type of host stars are most suitable for directly imaging a Mars-like exoplanet with a 6-m coronagraph-equipped space telescope. The impact of dust-driven dynamics on surface temperature and atmospheric spectra at different spatial resolutions has been quantitatively assessed, providing new constraints on changes in the surface distribution of mobile dust, as well as valuable insights into the direct imaging capabilities and optimal observational strategies needed for detecting and studying Mars-like exoplanets.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	Dust; Exoplanets; Mars; Radiative Transfer; Remote Sensing; Thermophysics
Subjects:	Q Science > QB Astronomy
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Date Deposited:	07 Aug 2026 16:46
Last Modified:	07 Aug 2026 16:46
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/6336

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