JPL
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
JPL Logo
JPL Logo
Image

Mars Atmospheric Temperature and Dust Storm Tracking

Jun 09, 2016
This graphic overlays Martian atmospheric temperature data as curtains over an image of Mars taken during a regional dust storm. Temperature data and global image were both recorded on Oct. 18, 2014, by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft.

This graphic overlays Martian atmospheric temperature data as curtains over an image of Mars taken during a regional dust storm. The temperature profiles extend from the surface to about 50 miles (80 kilometers) up. Temperatures are color coded, ranging from minus 243 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 153 degrees Celsius) where coded purple to minus 9 F (minus 23 C) where coded red.

The temperature data and global image were both recorded on Oct. 18, 2014, by instruments on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: Mars Climate Sounder and Mars Color Imager. On that day a regional dust storm was active in the Acidalia Planitia region of northern Mars, at the upper center of this image. A storm from this area in typically travels south and grows into a large regional storm in the southern hemisphere during southern spring.

That type of southern-spring storm and two other large regional dust storms repeat as a three-storm series most Martian years. The pattern has been identified from their effects on atmospheric temperature in a layer about 16 miles (25 kilometers) above the surface.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, built and operates the Mars Climate Sounder. Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, built and manages the Mars Color Imager. JPL manages the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission. Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver, built the orbiter.

Download JPG
Download TIFF
Mission
  • Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Target
  • Mars
Spacecraft
  • Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)
Instrument
  • Mars Color Imager (MARCI)
  • Mars Climate Sounder (MCS)
Credit
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Keep Exploring

Close-Up of Perseverance Parachute on the Martian Surface

Close-Up of Perseverance Descent Stage on the Martian Surface

Perseverance and Mars 2020 Spacecraft Components on the Surface

Perseverance's Landing Spot in Jezero Crater

Close-Up of Perseverance on the Martian Surface

Close-Up of Perseverance Heat Shield on the Martian Surface

HiRISE Captured Perseverance During Descent to Mars

Spring Sprouts on Mars

Changes of a Happy Crater

Fractured Blocks on a Crater Floor

Related Topic

News .

Testing Proves Its Worth With Successful Mars Parachute Deployment

Topic .

Mars

News .

NASA’s Perseverance Rover Gives High-Definition Panoramic View of Landing Site

News .

NASA to Reveal New Video, Images From Mars Perseverance Rover

News .

NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover Provides Front-Row Seat to Landing, First Audio Recording of Red Planet

News .

NASA’s Perseverance Rover Sends Sneak Peek of Mars Landing

News .

NASA’s Mars Helicopter Reports In

Mission .

Perseverance Rover

News .

Touchdown! NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover Safely Lands on Red Planet

Video .

NASA's Perseverance Rover Lands Successfully on Mars (Highlight Reel)

About JPL
Who We Are
Executive Council
Directors of JPL
JPL History
Documentary Series
Virtual Tour
Annual Reports
Missions
All
Current
Past
Future
News
All
Earth
Mars
Solar System
Universe
Technology
Galleries
Images
Videos
Audio
Podcasts
Infographics
Engage
JPL and the Community
Lecture Series
Public Tours
Events
Team Competitions
JPL Speakers Bureau
Topics
Solar System
Mars
Earth
Climate Change
Stars and Galaxies
Exoplanets
Technology
JPL Life
For Media
Contacts and Information
Press Kits
More
Asteroid Watch
Robotics at JPL
Subscribe to Newsletter
Universe Newsletter
Social Media
Get the Latest from JPL
Follow Us

JPL is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by Caltech.

More from JPL
Careers Education Science & Technology Acquisitions JPL Store
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
Acquisitions
JPL Store
Related NASA Sites
Basics of Spaceflight
Climate Kids
Earth / Global Climate Change
Exoplanet Exploration
Mars Exploration
Solar System Exploration
Space Place
NASA's Eyes Visualization Project
Voyager Interstellar Mission
NASA
Caltech
Privacy
Image Policy
FAQ
Feedback
Site Manager: Veronica McGregor
Site Editors: Tony Greicius, Randal Jackson, Naomi Hartono