Dear Tom,
What is known about temperature extremes and barometric conditions on the Martian surface?
Michael Michelotti, St. Charles, Ill.
Dear Michael,
Extraterrestrial weather is an exciting new frontier of research, and Dr. Philip Christensen, Professor of Geological Science at Arizona State University is at the forefront of the investigations. Mars possesses a thin, inhospitable atmosphere consisting of 95% carbon dioxide and 5% nitrogen and argon, but only traces of oxygen and water vapor. Surface air pressure, eight millibars, is 1/125th of Earth’s (1000 millibars). Christensen designed and monitors a Thermal Emission Spectrometer, an instrument aboard the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft now orbiting Mars. It is continuously measuring the Martian surface, and on Feb. 8, 2005, it recorded a temp range from 31(degrees)F (in Mars’ summer hemisphere) to -202(degrees) (in the winter half).
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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
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