Atmospheric Structure as Well as Diurnal and Seasonal Meteorological Variations
The Atmospheric Structure Instrument/Meteorology
(ASI/MET) experiment will be able to determine the temperature and density of the
atmosphere during Entry, Descent and Landing. In addition,
three-axis accelerometers will be used to measure atmospheric pressure during this period.
Once on the surface, meteorological measurements such as pressure, temperature, wind speed
and atmospheric opacity will be obtained on a daily basis. Thermocouples mounted on a
meter-high mast will examine temperature profiles with height. wind direction and speed
will be measured by a wind sensor mounted at the top of the mast, as well as three wind
socks interspersed at different heights on the mast. Understanding this data is very
important for identifying the forces which act on small particles carried by the wind.
Regular sky and solar spectral observations using the IMP will monitor windborne particle
size, particle shape, distribution with altitude and the abundance of water vapor.