Modeling Studies Of Dust/Gas Non-Thermal Equilibrium In The Martian Atmosphere.
R.M. Haberle*, M.A. Kahre, Nasa Ames Research Center, Moffett Field Ca, Usa, T. Bertrand, Lesia
Observatoire De Paris, Meudon, France, V.L. Hartwick, R.J. Wilson, Nasa Ames Research Center, Moffett
Field Ca, Usa, M. Wolff, Space Science Institute, Boulder, Co. Usa, C. Batterson, Bay Area Environmental
Research Institute, Moffett Field Ca, Usa. *Retired Jan 4, 2022 (Rmhaberle@Sbcglobal.Net)

Introduction: Heating Rate Calculations Of The
Martian Atmosphere Generally Assume That Collisional
Interactions Between Dust Particles And Gas Molecules Maintain A Thermal Equilibrium In Which Both
Have The Same Temperature. However, Above 40 Km
Goldenson Et Al. (2008) Show That Collisional Interactions Are Unable To Maintain This Equilibrium And That
Dust And Gas Temperatures Diverge With Differences
Approaching 50 K Or More Depending Mostly On
Particle Size And Altitude. Since Observations (E.G.,
Sanchez-Lavega Et Al. 2018; Heavens Et Al. 2019)
And Modeling Studies (E.G., Bertrand Et Al., 2020;
Batterson Et Al., 2021; 2022, This Meeting) Show That
Dust Can Reach Altitudes Well Above 40 Km, And Since
Heating Rates Drive Atmospheric Circulation Systems,
It Is Worth Assessing The Magnitude Of Nonequilibrium Conditions On The Thermal Structure And