Measuring and Characterizing Ice Clouds in the Martian Atmosphere

Ground-based
Imaging Spectroscopy

Using near-infrared (1.5–4.1µm) spectral images (R≈100) taken using NSFCAM at the NASA IRTF during the 1995–2003 oppositions to track and measure water-ice abundance in clouds over diurnal, seasonal, and interannual time-scales.

Spacecraft-based
Spectral Imaging

Using the mapping-mode, multispectral data from MRO-CRISM to create multi-sol-averaged cloud maps of Mars and measure cloud optical depth to study seasonal and interannual variability.

Computational
Climate Modeling

Using the Mars GCM in collaboration with the NASA Ames Mars Climate Modeling Center scientists to understand how clouds affect, and are affected by, the martian climate. We are investigating ways to better compare model outputs to spacecraft observations.

About

The MarsCloud Lab at Rowan University uses near-infrared observations and computational modeling to study water ice clouds in the martian atmosphere over all timescales and use those results to help inform climate modeling. The Lab is located in Science Hall at Rowan University and has helped train over 30 undergraduate physics and computer science students in astronomical image processing and analysis. More recent work involves a collaboration with NASA Ames scientists to better understand clouds in the computational model.

Contact

David R. Klassen, PhD
Department of Physics & Astronomy

  • Address Rowan University
    201 Mullica Hill Road
    Glassboro, NJ 08020
  • Mail klassen@rowan.edu
  • Phone (856) 256-4391