Small Lidar For Profiling Water Vapor, Aerosols And
Winds From A Mars Lander
J. B. Abshire1,2, D. R. Cremons2, K. Numata2, S. D. Guzewich2,
M. D. Smith2, X. Sun2
1

University Of Maryland, Astronomy Department, College Park Md 20740 Usa (James.B.Abshire@Nasa.Gov)
2
Nasa Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt Md 20771 Usa

Introduction:
The Planetary Boundary Layer (Pbl) Is The
Lowest Layer Of The Atmosphere That Interacts Directly
With The Surface. Processes Within The Mars Pbl Are
Very Important Scientifically Because They Control The
Transfer Of Heat, Momentum, Dust, Water, And Other
Constituents Between Surface And Atmospheric Reservoirs [1]. Understanding These Processes Is Critical
For Understanding The Modern Climate, Including The
Stability And Development Of The Polar Caps [2], How
The Regolith Exchanges With The Atmosphere [3], How