PIA00799: Dust Devil Schematic


Dust Devil Schematic

Caption:

This graphic illustrates the wind pattern in a dust devil, and presents the characteristic pressure and wind speed signatures expected if a dust devil were to pass directly over the lander. A dust devil is driven by warm air rising from the surface which is heated by the sun. If one passes over the lander, strong winds are expected first from one direction and then from the opposite direction. Surface pressure should also fall to a minimum at the center of the dust devil.

Background Info:

Photojournal note: Sojourner spent 83 days of a planned seven-day mission exploring the Martian terrain, acquiring images, and taking chemical, atmospheric and other measurements. The final data transmission received from Pathfinder was at 10:23 UTC on September 27, 1997. Although mission managers tried to restore full communications during the following five months, the successful mission was terminated on March 10, 1998.

Cataloging Keywords:

Name Value Additional Values
Target Mars
System
Target Type Planet
Mission Mars Pathfinder (MPF)
Instrument Host Mars Pathfinder Lander
Host Type Lander
Instrument
Detector
Extra Keywords Atmosphere, Color, Dust
Acquisition Date
Release Date 1997-08-15
Date in Caption
Image Credit NASA/JPL
Source photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00799
Identifier PIA00799