Mars Models and Products
Mars Space Weather Modeling Challenge
To support human and robotic exploration at Mars, we must baseline and develop our Mars space weather modeling capabilities. The CCMC is extending its modeling capabilities to the atmosphere and space environment of Mars. As an initial step of adopting Mars models at CCMC, we have initiated the Mars Space Weather Modeling Challenge. The main goal of the challenge is bringing together a community of experts, models and analysis tools covering all Mars space weather domains (Radiation, Magnetosphere, Ionosphere, Atmosphere).
Introduction
The Mars Modeling Challenge is a project funded by NASA. It covers all domains from the atmosphere to the space environment. We have invited the following models and modelers to participate:
- Atmosphere: Mars Global Circulation Model (MGCM), Amanda Brecht
- Thermosphere: Mars Global Ionosphere Thermosphere Model (Mars-GITM), Dave Pawlowski
- Magnetosphere: Mars Block-Adaptive Tree Solar wind Roe-type Upwind Scheme (Mars-BATSRUS), Yingjuan Ma
- Radiation: Mars Nowcast of Aerospace Ionizing Radiation System (Mars-NAIRAS), Chris Mertens
Other models are most welcome to participate.
Selected events
The following two events were selected based on their impact and the large number of studies in the scientific literature
- September 4-10, 2017: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1002/(ISSN)1542-7390.SW-SEPT2017
Simulation runs at CCMC
- M-GITM September 2017. https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/ror/results/viewrun.php?runnumber=MGITM_2017Sept_260506_IT_1 (subject to proper RoR processing, in development). 3D ionosphere-thermosphere visualization: https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/vis3d/CCMCVis_3D.cgi?dir=49981
- M-GITM May 2024. https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/ror/results/viewrun.php?runnumber=MGITM_2017Sept_260506_IT_1 (subject to proper RoR processing, in development). 3D ionosphere-thermosphere visualization: https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/vis3d/CCMCVis_3D.cgi?dir=49331
- Mars-BATSRUS September 2017. Run web page (subject to RoR processing, currently in development): https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/results/viewrun.php?runnumber=Mars_20hours_072925_GM_1. 3D magnetosphere visualization (was entered by hand and works): https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/vis3d/CCMCVis_3D.cgi?dir=46722
- Mars-BATSRUS May 2024. https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/results/viewrun.php?runnumber=Mars_2024May17-19_043026_GM_1 (subject to RoR processing, currently in development). 3D magnetosphere visualization (not working - visualization has error): https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/vis3d/CCMCVis_3D.cgi?dir=50417
NAIRAS at Mars
Mars Products
Near realtime products to assess and monitor space weather activity directed towards Mars. These products and associated analysis tools are publicly available to provide the space weather community access to relevant Mars resources.
Lead: Gina DiBraccio. Co-leads: Leila Mays/Claudio Corti
These products provide access to Mars data, including near real-time products where possible (e.g., MSL/RAD, Mars Odyssey/HEND), required for analyzing solar activity directed towards Mars. These data are hosted on CCMC’s Integrated Space Weather Analysis (ISWA) dashboard, alongside associated solar and space weather observations and models, where a dedicated Mars space weather dashboard has recently been established. Additionally, a Mars Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) Scoreboard and Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) Scoreboard, with required model development for the latter, will be created to enable a consistent, real-time comparison of various operational and research forecasts. To complement the data access and scoreboards, a user’s guide to interpreting observed space weather impacts at Mars will be established.